2016 D bottom steering wheel
Race Director
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,742
Likes: 629
From: Manheim Pennsylvania
Flat bottom is for looks? Gain access to driver's seat?? Performance driving requires steering wheel positioned at a slightly raised angle, no advantage there. Just something different that can be sold at a higher price. I personally neither like or dislike, wouldn't pay extra for it!
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 45,269
Likes: 8,543
From: Rochester, NY
Exactly.Flat bottom is for looks? Gain access to driver's seat?? Performance driving requires steering wheel positioned at a slightly raised angle, no advantage there. Just something different that can be sold at a higher price. I personally neither like or dislike, wouldn't pay extra for it!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,119
Likes: 799
From: East Lansing, MI
It's good for entry and egress in a car with a tight cockpit. That's it so far as I can tell.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 53
Likes: 16
From: Calgary Albert Canada
Some people may feel that it emulates the style of the lemans series racers or F1 race cars... F1's had flat bottom and flat top steering wheels to take up less room on the cockpit, and the F1's didn't need a full turn of the steering wheel to turn the car... Only like 60-70 degrees .. So there was an advantage there to have flat top and flat bottom wheels.
I suppose there could be an advantage of some sort in a consumer car like the Z06 to have a flat bottom steering wheel, like a reference point while your eyes are on the road but ultimately I think it's a style choice.
She's a track car... Better look like one too!!!!
Again... All of the above is just my opinion or thoughts on it... I'm sure somebody with a better explanation. Will chime in👌
Racer
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 336
Likes: 2
Mostly for cosmetics, if it had some true function you would see it in more cars. Chrysler had flattened top and bottom steering wheels in the early 1960s on some models but that trend only lasted a few years.
Last edited by Elegant1; Apr 25, 2015 at 11:57 AM.
Dazed Confused & Verklemp
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 109
From: Naples, FL & Clear Lake, IA
There is a cheaper option. I just took a saber saw and cut off the bottom of my 15' wheel. The duct tape I covered the raw ends with matches pretty closely with the silver trim around the shifter.
Red Green
Red Green
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Verdad Gallardo
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,982
Likes: 12,383
From: NE South Carolina
Perhaps my 3LT answers my own question. Who needs a "stinking flat spot!"
Last edited by JerryU; Apr 25, 2015 at 01:20 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 9,883
Likes: 518
From: Bergen County NJ
Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 560
Likes: 18
From: Miami Florida
I am installing my Z06 steering wheel soon. I am glad to see that so many dislike the flat bottom wheel. I am going to hold on to my 2015 steering wheel with red stitching until the 2016s start being delivered. Looks like the value of my 2015 steering wheel will be going up just around that time. 
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 186
Likes: 1
From: Wakefield MA
This is only my opinion so take it for what it's worth. In the Z06 or any other consumer car, the flat bottom is more a style choice than to provide any steering or egress advantages.
Some people may feel that it emulates the style of the lemans series racers or F1 race cars... F1's had flat bottom and flat top steering wheels to take up less room on the cockpit, and the F1's didn't need a full turn of the steering wheel to turn the car... Only like 60-70 degrees .. So there was an advantage there to have flat top and flat bottom wheels.
I suppose there could be an advantage of some sort in a consumer car like the Z06 to have a flat bottom steering wheel, like a reference point while your eyes are on the road but ultimately I think it's a style choice.
She's a track car... Better look like one too!!!!
Again... All of the above is just my opinion or thoughts on it... I'm sure somebody with a better explanation. Will chime in👌
Some people may feel that it emulates the style of the lemans series racers or F1 race cars... F1's had flat bottom and flat top steering wheels to take up less room on the cockpit, and the F1's didn't need a full turn of the steering wheel to turn the car... Only like 60-70 degrees .. So there was an advantage there to have flat top and flat bottom wheels.
I suppose there could be an advantage of some sort in a consumer car like the Z06 to have a flat bottom steering wheel, like a reference point while your eyes are on the road but ultimately I think it's a style choice.
She's a track car... Better look like one too!!!!
Again... All of the above is just my opinion or thoughts on it... I'm sure somebody with a better explanation. Will chime in👌
Race Director
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,742
Likes: 629
From: Manheim Pennsylvania
Why not take the steering wheel off and clamp a vice grip pliers on the shaft, trim with duck tape. (duck tape the handyman's secret weapon)
How is Possum Lodge these days?
Racer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 268
Likes: 10
From: Cape Cod MA
Flat bottom for the win. I like the look, and itll help me get in and out easier (I hope!)
I'm 6'5 and long in the legs.. I have enough room for a helmet with the roof on. The steering wheel is my only challenge getting in and out of the car.
I'm 6'5 and long in the legs.. I have enough room for a helmet with the roof on. The steering wheel is my only challenge getting in and out of the car.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 284
Likes: 9
Carbon fiber on Z51 steering wheel
Come on Chevy really need to have micro fiber interior to get carbon fiber on steering wheel with competition letters?? Hey why discriminate on the guys who get comp seats but dont want micro fiber? I dont have any quarrels against those that preffer micro fiber everything, but its not for all. In the end micro fiber is like a sponge and IMO is harder to clean . So I would not order it, but why cant those guys get the carbon fiber with comp letters on steering wheel if they order comp seats?? Now go ahead and bash me.....
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 49
Likes: 6
From: pensacola, fl