Well, I didn't drive it, but somebody did:

Driving the ultra-rare 575 hp Jaguar Project 7

 

Not to nitpick but the round steering wheel looks ugly. Flat bottom is much better or at least make it different from a standard F-Type. They could have also saved more weight by removing the headlight washer system. I appreciate it but I doubt it's usefulness.

 

I'm guessing things like steering wheel are still customer options.

 

in UK, just like here in Aus, rules require xenons to have headlight washers

 

That's one of a dozen or more extras that add weight and blunt performance. Someday I hope to see a truly lightweight f-type. Maybe when they are at the bottom of the depreciation curve people will start getting creative.

 

The only option is color. All cars are identical.

 

interesting...wonder why they didn't go with the flat bottom steering wheel then...

 

The flat bottom wheel looks cool, but if I were to start racing again, I would select a perfectly concentric and round wheel. The irregular shape is distracting and to my mind offers no real benefit over a round wheel.

 

Production cars have not started to ship yet. I would think that this is a pre-production car.

 

It's offered so the mature non-exercising driver can get close enough to operate the controls...

I drove a Peugeot rental car last week. The designers clearly decided to make the instruments visible over the top of the wheel rather than through it. The smallest wheel I've used in a road car with the exception of a classic Mini...

 

Waist to arm length ratio must not exceed 1.

 

One of the things I always loved about my Lotus. Agree with the other comments regarding the flat-bottom steering wheel. It's just a gimmick. The tiny, perfectly round wheel helped to make it amazingly toss-able.

 

I just received a letter from Jaguar about my project 7

 

Very nice!

 

Ask Lindsay if you're getting the InControl Remote App.

 

Cool letter. This is the first time I've heard of the Coupe R having a lap time at the Nurburgring. Sounds like it was right around 7:39. That puts it in some really good company. The 7:35 even more so.

 

Not sure why there's so much dislike for the flat bottom steering wheel (I assume a negative connotation with the use of the word "gimmick"). Putting any functionality benefits aside, it's about aesthetics, design. I'm guessing 99% of the folks here bought the F-Type for its design, its exhaust note, its cool door handles, etc. All of which are "gimmicky" since they don't really serve any practical purpose. The door handles are gimmicky, the exhaust pops are gimmicky, the J-Blade lights are gimmicky...but that's why we like the car. Otherwise you could just buy a Scion, which I think also comes with a flat bottom steering wheel

 

I don't think much if any dislike has been expressed. Folks just commenting that the flat bottom wheel might not be the best choice for a purpose built track vehicle (which the F-Type is not). I like the fact that I'm getting the flat bottomed wheel even though I question it's functionality.

 

Personally, I like the flat bottom wheel, but I don't know why anyone would say a flat bottom wheel isn't designed for track applications...

These wheels look pretty darn flat on the bottom, and I doubt anyone would say an F1 car was purposely built for the track...

 

I'm guessing for race cars it's all about packaging. gotta cram things in very little space. Also remember that F1, Le Mans, etc. don't really need to turn very tight. If you only have to turn the steering wheel 30(?) degrees max, no need for rounded wheel.



On non-race cars, my main benefit of the flat bottom steering wheel is easier entry/exit.