Alfa Romeo design chief Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos has taken aim at the industry’s favourite status symbol, the giant infotainment screen. According to a report by THESUPERCARBLOG.COM, he wants automakers to get rid of them altogether.
Alfa Romeo design: Screens Lose Ground
Mesonero-Romanos argues that oversized displays increasingly dictate dashboard architecture instead of serving the driver. He also mocks the industry’s “war of centimetres,” questioning why brands keep chasing bigger panels.
Still, the logic is hard to ignore. Technology moves fast, and a display that looks impressive today could feel dated within a few model cycles. Owners of the 2023 Alfa Romeo Tonale already know how quickly cabin electronics can age.
Cuorerosso Shows a Smarter Cabin
Unveiled at the Paris Motor Show, the Cuorerosso concept fastback offers a tangible alternative. Its dashboard stays clean, and technology never takes center stage.
Mesonero-Romanos still sees a role for infotainment, though he wants it to be less intrusive. His formula is simple: have a screen when you need it, then hide it when you don’t.
Why Hidden Screens Make Business Sense
On paper, a retractable display protects owners from obsolete hardware and keeps the cockpit uncluttered. In reality, motorized panels add mechanical complexity, cost, and potential reliability concerns that accountants will scrutinize.
Even so, the segment benchmark may shift. If hidden displays become cheaper to produce, expect rivals to follow. Ultimately, Alfa Romeo is betting that restraint will sell better than the biggest screen on the shelf, and that bet could define the next wave of interior design.
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Liam Campbell
Industry Intelligence & News Editor at Auto News Magazine. Tracking prototype spy shots, Nürburgring development mules, automaker corporate moves, and breaking global automotive scoops.
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