I think the effect is partly illusory. A side photo tends to show that the round center airbag boss is off center more than the center of the wheel. I hope so. Modern makers are cheating more and more to ease entry to low seating positions. I particularly dislike the squared off bottom of the wheel on Audi and some Italian cars.

Slipping the wheel through your hands is not an acceptable high performance driving technique though so that is not the concern. Quick ratio steering should permit relatively sharp cornering without moving your hands, so if the wheel is really off center your bottom hand can hit the top of the thigh, that's the real concern.

 

Check out the comments in this 'ask Ian anything segment'

Ask Jaguar's Chief Designer Ian Callum Anything You Want

 

Where did you see the coupe?

I like the styling. Looks like a worthy competitor to Boxster and MB SLK, but needs a better name. I thought Jaguar left X-Type, S-Type, etc.-Type behind when it discontinued those models. Why not XKF? As in next in series after XKE.

 

The coupe is definitely coming. There are no show cars yet but the concept car was a coupe.

Jaguar is saturating its market in the US with the convertible but the coupe will be the big seller in Europe.

 

The F-Type has Switchable Active Sport Exhaust as an option. With a push of a button on the center console, bypass valves activate the exhaust system and produce a louder, richer, more exhilarating sound. Optional on all models.

 

Will have to see it in the flesh but it looks pretty good in the pics. Don't care for the headlights or the extra gills on the front bumper. Suppose they are boy racer type brake cooling grills but certainly unneccessry on this car. Current XF headlights might look interesting. Hate the door handle treatment. They will be a PITA to use. Totally useless design element. With a SC V8 this car could be an animal on the track if suspension is up to the challenge. Time a test drive will tell.