The steering wheel is the main part of the car that allows us to turn the wheels precisely and, therefore, control the direction of the vehicle. Most cars have a comfortable, circular design, but not all are like that.
There are great cars, but we can always find things that could be better. Sometimes, things go further and there are specific details that clearly harm a good car, such as its steering wheel. behold 9 flyers that are a drama by their design.
And that is, of course. Steering wheels have been with us all our lives and their function is clear, but there are times when designers they try to take them a little further.
This can lead to great results, but also to others that are better forgotten…
Original text by Ollie Kew
BMW M SPORT
This is the previous generation steering wheel that was installed on the BMW M Sport, but the newer ones also have the same problem. It is very, very thick. Honestly, you’d need to have hands like an orangutan to be able to wrap your fingers around it.
But it is not all. It’s also soft and stuff makes the car feel clunky when you try to take a curve. BMW engineers say their buyers like big wheels because they associate them with sports cars. Yeah, it’s your fault in the first place, guys.
Alfa Romeo 4C
Many things stumbled the Alfa Romeo 4C in its commercial life, but one of them was the idea of equipping a lightweight sports car with a carbon passenger compartment it didn’t have power steering with a horrible steering wheel.
This means that one of the key interfaces between man and machine, which should have been absolutely pure and wonderfully simple, has been corrupted. There was placed a thick two-spoke steering wheel with an ugly irregular shape.
mercedes eqs
A big Mercedes saloon should be relaxing, but one that’s also powered by silent electric motors it should be so relaxing as to make you completely forget that you are in a car.
But Mercedes managed to screw up the inside the EQS adorning the steering wheel with touch-sensitive buttons that are really hard to use. Plus, the shiny rear spokes get smudged and ruin the effect of your $100,000 minimalist cabin.
Audi Q4 etron
In order not to let a bad idea pass without copying, there are other German manufacturers who have also decided to install steering wheels that are covered with controls that only a neurosurgeon could use. And certainly not while he’s driving.
The Q4 e-tron Audi is another culprit in this phenomenon. Also, the steering wheel itself is somewhat silly in shape for the kind of car it is: it’s an electric crossover, not a Formula 1 single-seater.
Volkswagen Golf R
And, completing this small subset, the latest generation of the Volkswagen Golf. Too thick steering wheel that is not so nice to hold the one on the old Golf R? Done. Unintelligible haptic feedback buttons? Done.
Usually, the controls are the worst thing about this part of the car and they can be a horror for their ease of being mistakenly pressed while driving. Mind you, at least you have a full steering wheel to, well, turn…
Tesla Model S Plaid
As if Tesla Model S Plaid wasn’t enough already, it now includes a ‘Yoke’ steering wheel. And don’t go thinking this is just something special from Tesla, as there are other brands that have also thought of something like this for your electrics.
Toyota is one example, as it is about to offer new electric cars like the bZ4x with a similar steering wheel. This goes to show that the old guard in the auto industry will do just about anything if people compare them to a Tesla.
Lotus Emira
Yes, a Lotus is among the list of patterned steering wheels. How is it possible? Well as cool as he seems emirate steering wheelit’s too thick to hold comfortably and too square.
We are big fans of lotus new sports car since we tested a prototype and we are eager to test the final version. Mind you, will it come with a ‘remove marketing department’ option for regular folks who want a round flyer?
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
The last mid-engined Corvette fell into a trap similar to the other cars on this list. It has a double-spoke steering wheel that forces drivers to hold it with their hands placed lower than normal.
This has consequences, since doesn’t feel so natural when you are about to drive on winding roads. And aren’t winding roads why you decide to put the engine in the middle?
Ferrari SF90 Stradale
No, it’s not the old complaint about Ferrari putting the gauges and wipers on the steering wheel. The problem is in the SF90. There, the steering wheel has much more to do and everything is touch sensitive.
When you have 1,000 hp availabletrying in vain to toggle driving modes between EV, Hybrid and Qualify with just a glowing panel to touch isn’t as simple as flipping the classic (and much-copied) switch manettino from Ferrari. Good luck.
This news was published on Top Gear ES.
George is Digismak’s reported cum editor with 13 years of experience in Journalism