Tesla has placed a rather remarkable steering wheel in the facelifted Model S and Model X. It may only be a ‘joke’ of the brand, but here in the Netherlands these steering would be allowed.
In the photos of the facelifted Tesla’s Model S and Model X, the completely revised interior is mainly the steering wheel. Well, wheel, it is not round and it seems more out of place in an airplane or something. Although the shape ensures that the digital instruments are clearly visible, we would not be surprised if it was a gimmick that purely provides some extra attention and then cannot be found in the production versions. Still, it wouldn’t be a problem here in the Netherlands if this steering wheel was delivered like this. That explains the RDW Bright from RTL.
After all, there are no strict requirements in the legislation that prohibit such a form. In fact, that applies across the EU. There are requirements for the steering angle and the diameter of the steering movement. A handle that is too small can cause movements that are too abrupt and difficult to dose. In addition, the steering wheel must of course ensure an adequate ‘deceleration’ of your head in the event of an accident. So it shouldn’t be too rigid. Things that do not seem to immediately pose a problem with the Tesla steering wheel.
Now we have to see whether Tesla dares to actually deliver this steering wheel in the EU. Although it looks interesting, the question is whether it is useful in practice … for steering.