I agree 100%. I’ve posted a number of times on the mk4 and mk3 forum boards that IMO having touchscreens in a car to operate often used, basic functions is a distraction that can compromise safety. If fact IMO, fumbling around on a touchscreen to operate certain functions and needing to look at the screen whilst driving, rather than looking at the road ahead and concentrating on driving is potentially dangerous. How car manufacturers can consider that to be OK and safe to do, when using a handheld mobile phone isn’t (and rightly so) beggars belief.
I fully understand this, and have made the point in earlier posts that using touchscreens rather than retaining conventional controls is a blatant case of form over function, driven by cost. The technophiles will love the ‘clean’, uncluttered look of touchscreens. I prefer conventional controls, and my next car will still have buttons, switches and knobs!
It is illegal to use a mobile phone while driving so how is it any more acceptable to use a touch screen to operate heating controls. Seems rather dangerous to me and will cause countless accidents / deaths i believe