When Cars Take A Creative Turn
We all know steering wheels are a pretty basic part of any car. They’re round, they’re functional, and they help us get from point A to point B without much thought. But not every car follows the same blueprint, as some manufacturers have taken things to a whole new level with designs that leave you scratching your head. So, let’s take a look at 20 out-of-the-box steering wheel designs, covering both real cars and out-there concept vehicles.
1. Saab 9000’s Asymmetrical Yoke
Sloped toward the center console, Saab 9000’s steering wheel channels a cockpit aesthetic that defines Saab’s aircraft roots. This offset design was angled by engineers to improve the visibility of dashboard instruments, a subtle nod to function over form.
2. Citroën DS’s Single-Spoke Wonder
The Citroën DS featured a one-spoke steering wheel, which was designed to keep the instrument panel clearly visible. Citroën described it as a symbol of the car’s futuristic approach, and it quickly became a hallmark of 1960s French automotive design.
3. Ferrari 458’s Formula 1-Inspired Setup
Forget traditional controls—the Ferrari 458 throws out the rulebook with a steering wheel straight out of an F1 pit lane. All essentials like lights, wipers, and indicators sit directly on the wheel, ditching stalks entirely for uninterrupted focus. Paddle shifters also stay fixed to the wheel itself.
David Villarreal Fernández on Wikimedia
4. Tesla Model S Yoke Steering
Tesla’s Model S yoke ditches the classic wheel and introduces a cut-off design that prioritizes forward visibility. With the top section gone, drivers get a clearer view of the instrument cluster and the road ahead. But the innovation comes with trade-offs, as its tight turns and muscle memory challenges frustrate many users.
Maurizio Pesce from Milan, Italia on Wikimedia
5. BMW i3’s Minimalist Floating Hub
BMW gave the i3 a steering wheel as unconventional as the car itself. Flat-bottomed and compact, it was built for nimble city driving. Its standout feature—a fixed central hub while the rim spins—keeps controls accessible. Plus, the design echoes BMW’s sustainable approach, where every inch serves a purpose.
6. Spyker C8’s Exposed Gear-Like Rim
Unlike conventional wheels, the Spyker C8’s design exposes its inner mechanics. Metal spokes and visible linkages mirror vintage aircraft controls, reinforcing the car’s aviation-inspired identity. Handcrafted in the Netherlands, the wheel’s steampunk cues are consistent with Spyker’s mechanical design philosophy.
7. McLaren P1’s Squared-Off Racing Wheel
The McLaren P1’s squared-off steering wheel starts with a compact diameter and flat sides that sharpen control during high-speed runs. To match that performance edge, carbon fiber and Alcantara were used to cut down weight while maintaining a tactile feel.
8. Aston Martin’s Lagonda Vision Concept
In the Lagonda Vision Concept, Aston Martin reimagines the steering wheel as a disappearing feature. The yoke retracts into the dashboard during autonomous mode, and when manual control is needed, it extends smoothly toward the driver.
9. 1960 Plymouth Fury’s Rectangular Wheel
Plymouth gave the 1960 Fury a bold square steering wheel meant to improve visibility of the dashboard. Styled during the Jet Age, it reflected America’s obsession with futuristic design and made drivers feel like they were piloting something closer to a spacecraft than a car.
Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA on Wikimedia
10. 1958 Edsel’s Teletouch Hub
Breaking away from convention, the 1958 Edsel placed gear selection buttons right in the center of the steering wheel. This eliminated the standard gear shifter. As one of the earliest attempts at wheel-integrated shifting, it marked a bold milestone in automotive design.
Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA on Wikimedia
11. Renault Trezor’s Rectangular Steering Wheel
On startup, the Renault Trezor’s steering wheel splits apart and folds outward like a pair of mechanical wings. The concept aims to merge elegance with sci-fi-inspired motion. Its bold design also earned it the title of Most Beautiful Concept Car of the Year at the 2016 Festival Automobile International.
12. Lancia Stratos Zero’s Almost Rectangular Design
Nothing about this concept car followed tradition, and its steering wheel was no exception. Shaped like a near-rectangle, it amplified the car’s spaceship-like interior. And to reach the seat, engineers pushed the steering column forward.
Phil Parker from Leamington Spa, UK on Wikimedia
13. Citroën Karin’s Triangular Steering Wheel
Designed to mirror the car’s pyramid-like body, this steering wheel offered fingertip access to all controls through a centralized layout. Only a single prototype was ever built, which makes the Karin a rare glimpse into Citroën’s experimental design language.
Klaus Nahr from Germany on Wikimedia
14. BMW Z22’s Rectangular, Interactive Design
Steering took a bold detour in the BMW Z22 concept, where a joystick replaced the traditional wheel entirely. Positioned to the side, this futuristic control system operated with steer-by-wire tech—no mechanical linkages involved. Even more impressive, this system offered real-time feedback.
15. Nissan Pivo 2’s Rotating Cockpit Wheel
Imagine spinning your entire car around while your steering wheel politely stays put. That’s exactly what the Nissan Pivo 2 delivered. Its bubble-shaped cabin could rotate a full 360 degrees, yet the wheel always faced forward, maintaining perfect alignment.
Nissan to Unveil Pivo 2 at 2007 Tokyo Motor Show by The Auto Channel
16. Peugeot Instinct’s Retractable Tiller
One moment it’s there, the next it’s gone—the Peugeot Instinct’s retractable tiller plays the ultimate disappearing act. When the car switches to autonomous mode, the tiller neatly folds into the dashboard, and with drive mode, it glides back into position.
17. Lancia Sibilo’s Bubble-Ring Steering Pod
Created by Bertone in 1978, this ring-shaped design packed all the driver controls right into the pod itself. Wrapped in an opaque acrylic dome, the pod even blurred the instrument panel slightly, which added to the Sibilo’s eerie, experimental vibe.
1978 Lancia Sibilo Concept Visual Review & Driving - The ICE St. Moritz 2023 by Automotive Mike
18. Ferrari 360 Modena’s Airbag-Centered Simplicity
Function dictated form in the Ferrari 360 Modena’s steering wheel, which featured a circular airbag module at the center. Produced between 1999 and 2005, the Modena represented Ferrari’s transition from analog racing simplicity to early multifunction steering setups.
19. Cadillac Cyclone’s Twin-Aircraft Yokes
In the Cadillac Cyclone, drivers gripped two aircraft-style handles. Designed for GM’s 1959 Motorama, it paired perfectly with the radar-guided collision sensors housed in the nose. Only one prototype was ever built, sealing this dual-yoke setup as one of the rarest designs ever made.
20. Maserati Boomerang’s Dashboard-Through-Wheel
Innovation took center stage in the Maserati Boomerang’s steering concept. Its wheel featured an enclosed instrument cluster directly in the hub, viewed through the rim itself. Though fully drivable, the design’s radical nature kept it confined to concept status.
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