What is the point of the flat bottomed steering wheel?

[911hope]

I have had a car with such a flat bottomed steering wheel for a couple of years now and can't think of a single advantage over a round one.

Can anyone defend the design?

[GasEngineer]

Is it to make it easier to steer with your knee while you are typing on your phone?

[NDA]

Does it make it easier for some people to get in and out of the car?

[brillomaster]

On most road cars its cosmetic. However where it is needed, its usually for ease of getting in the car, and having more knee room. Or a car has such a quick rack the bottom (and top) of the wheel isnt necessary.

My boxster could do with a flat bottomed wheel... the seat doesnt go lower, and the column doesnt go higher, so my knees bang the steering wheel a lot.

[mat205125]

So cars can be sold to Americans

[Deranged Rover]

It's so we never forget the awesomeness of the Austin Allegro.

[Glosphil]

My 2018 Leon FR has a flat bottomed steering wheel. I can see no advantage.

They seem to be fitted to more & more cars now. To give a 'sporty' image?

[sxmwht]

It makes the car much easier to get in and out of you know

[clowesy]

My old Exige had a round steering wheel, my current one has a flat bottomed wheel. I'm 6'5", and with the flat bottomed wheel it's easier to get in and out and also gives more leg/knee room when braking. I prefer the flat bottomed wheel.

[zarlak]

Deranged Rover said:

It's so we never forget the awesomeness of the Austin Allegro All Aggro.

FTFY

[kambites]

In cars with a full cage including side-bars or in single seaters, they're often pretty much a necessity for getting in and out and/or space in the cockpit. In "normal" cars they're simply a fashion trinket, and IMO one which makes the driving experience slightly worse.

[SturdyHSV]

"Because racecar" is the full extent of the argument.

[iphonedyou]

Getting in and out of the car and a nod to the sportscar, at a guess.

[Pica-Pica]

We all know the reason.
However, perhaps less obviously, ‘round’ steering wheels are rarely truly round, and the centre of rotation is not always at the centre of the wheel. PHers, have a look next time, and report back!

[kambites]

Pica-Pica said:

We all know the reason.
However, perhaps less obviously, ‘round’ steering wheels are rarely truly round, and the centre of rotation is not always at the centre of the wheel. PHers, have a look next time, and report back!

Indeed my car's is round (or very close to it) but the boss isn't central. However it's close enough that it naturally slides through your hands.

[DiscoSINGH]

My SQ5 has a flat bottomed wheel!

(yes an SUV!)

I'm well cool, innit

[Pica-Pica]

kambites said:

Pica-Pica said:

We all know the reason.
However, perhaps less obviously, ‘round’ steering wheels are rarely truly round, and the centre of rotation is not always at the centre of the wheel. PHers, have a look next time, and report back!

Indeed my car's is round (or very close to it) but the boss isn't central. However it's close enough that it naturally slides through your hands.

I thought mine was not completely round (perhaps my previous one wasn’t), but I have measured it and to the outside of the rim it is 370mm, both vertically, and horizontally. To the centre of the BMW roundel in the ‘middle’, it is 190mm from the top and 180mm from the bottom. I shall have to have a drive before I can ascertain where the rotation point is, but I am sure the top of the wheel falls and rises as you rotate it - I guess by that difference. I am sure the roundel must be on the axis, for that to rise and fall would be a bit distracting! (F30 335d).

[rallycross]

For folks with fat legs!

[Speed Badger]

They make the rocking world go round?

[thewarlock]

It started in single seaters, the sort where the wheel isn't on a quick release, so you can actually get your legs into the nose of the car.

It became synonymous with 'sporty', so now appears everywhere, including, as someone above mentioned in an Audi SQ5. We have one. I don't much like it, I don't hate it, but the non-round steering wheel pisses me the fk off.

Not required in a car with doors. At all.