BMW Explains Why The iX3 And i3 EVs Have A Unique Steering Wheel

BMW has been known for decades for its classic three-spoke steering wheel, but the new electric cars completely break with tradition. BMW’s new steering wheel in the iX3 and i3 is causing excitement and fierce debate on the Internet, where many people are not happy with its design at all. BMW is now explaining why the traditional design has been ditched entirely.

The steering wheel with vertical arms positioned at 12 and 6 o’clock is not just an attempt to be different at any cost. According to BMW’s head of design, Adrian van Hooydonk, it’s actually about making room for the new Panoramic Vision screen, i.e., a wide screen mounted at the bottom of the windshield that replaces the traditional instruments behind the steering wheel. Horizontal spokes on a regular steering wheel would simply block the driver’s view of important information, so engineers had to think outside the box.

The design director hears some critical voices on the Internet, but he explains directly that the appearance of the steering wheel is a practical byproduct of where BMW chose to place the screen. Orienting the necks vertically opens up the driver’s view to see a larger area of ​​the instrument panel. Although at first glance it may look like a steering wheel with four spokes, it is a two-spoke steering wheel, writes the BMW Blog.

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