A car with a steering wheel in the middle: the phenomenon of central steering

There is an unspoken rule in the automotive world that has been followed for over a hundred years: the driver's seat should be on the left (or right, depending on the country), and the passenger seat should be on the other side. However, there are exceptions that violate this axiom. A car with a steering wheel in the middle is not just a technical curiosity, but an engineering solution aimed at achieving ideal balance and symmetry. Such cars attract the attention of collectors and enthusiasts who value unique dynamics and futuristic design.

The history of such experiments is rooted in the search for optimal weight distribution and improved visibility. When the driver is in the center, he gets a panoramic view, free of the blind spots created by the side pillars. This is especially true on race tracks, where every fraction of a second and every degree of visibility matters. However Gordon Murray Automotive and other manufacturers have gone further, turning this into an element of the highest comfort and safety.

In this article, we will look in detail at why this arrangement has not become widespread, which legendary models use this design, and whether we should expect similar cars to appear in mass production in the near future. The central location of the steering wheel allows you to reduce the overall width of the car by 150–200 mm, which is critical for passing narrow sections of the highway or filtering in dense traffic if such cars were used in the city.

Engineering logic: why move the driver to the center?

The main reason why engineers decide to take such a radical step lies in the physics of motion. Center of gravity a car with a central driver position is shifted to the longitudinal axis of symmetry. This means that when entering a turn, the car behaves more predictably and neutrally, without having a pronounced inertia on one side, as is the case with classic side-wheel drive cars.

In addition, the aerodynamics of such vehicles benefit from a narrower nose. The cabin becomes narrower, which improves the streamlining of the body. In combination with carbon-titanium structure, it gives amazing results at high speeds. The pilot feels gravitational overloads differently - they are distributed evenly along the spine, which reduces fatigue during long races.

However, there is also another side to the coin. Getting in and out becomes a real test for the vestibular system and flexibility. The driver has to sit strictly in the center, which requires some skill. Under normal conditions this may seem inconvenient, but for the track it is an acceptable sacrifice for the sake of perfect weight distribution.

⚠️ Attention: Operating a vehicle with a central steering wheel on public roads requires special care. Side visibility is limited, and the dimensions of the car may be perceived incorrectly by other road users due to the non-standard width.

It is also worth noting the psychological aspect. Being in the center, the driver is completely immersed in the control process, without being distracted by the passenger. This creates a “capsule” effect where man and machine become one. He is looking for Gordon Murray when creating their hypercars.

• 🏎️ Improved weight distribution along the axes and relative to the longitudinal axis of symmetry.
• 👀 Panoramic view without blind spots from the A-pillars.
• 📉 Reducing the overall width of the body and frontal air resistance.
• 🧘 Reducing back fatigue due to uniform distribution of overloads.

The legendary McLaren F1: the standard of center landing

Speaking about cars with a central steering wheel, it is impossible not to mention McLaren F1. This car, created in the early 90s, is still considered one of the greatest supercars in history. Gordon Murray, the main ideologist of the project, insisted on a three-seater interior layout, where the driver's seat was located strictly in the middle, and two passenger seats on the sides, shifted back.

This configuration made it possible to create an incredibly compact and lightweight car. Engine BMW V12, developed specifically for this model, also had a dry sump system, which allowed the car to corner with huge overloads without the risk of oil starvation. The central steering wheel here was not a whim, but a necessity to achieve the stated characteristics of speed and controllability.

The interior of the McLaren F1 still amazes with its ergonomics. The instrument panel is located directly in front of the driver's eyes, and side mirrors, although required by regulation, are often ignored by track drivers in favor of direct visual control. The machine demonstrates that aerodynamic efficiency and balance is more important than tradition.

The cost of such a car today amounts to tens of millions of dollars. This is not just a vehicle, but a museum exhibit, which is occasionally displayed at track days for selected owners. The unique layout makes it a desirable trophy for any collection.

The interior of the cabin is minimalist. No extra screens, only analog instruments and mechanical switches. Everything is aimed at making the driver feel the car. This is a contrast to modern trends, where digitalization often distracts from driving.

Gordon Murray T.50: a modern embodiment of the idea

Decades after the success of F1, Gordon Murray decided to repeat his success by creating Gordon Murray T.50. This car, introduced in 2020, became the spiritual successor to the legend. It again uses a 1+2 layout, where the driver sits in the center. However, technology has come a long way and the T.50 offers a whole new level of engineering.

The main feature of the new product was fan, located at the rear of the car. It works in tandem with the aerodynamic body, creating downforce or, conversely, reducing air resistance at the driver's request. The central landing here is critical for the correct operation of the stabilization systems and sensors that read the position of the car relative to the track.

The T.50's interior is made using the latest composite materials. The vehicle weighs less than 1000 kg, making it one of the lightest in its class. Engine Cosworth V12 With naturally aspirated intake, it revs at over 12,000 rpm, producing a sound often described as a “symphony of engineering.”

Unlike its predecessor, the T.50 has aerodynamic modes that change the car's behavior on the move. The driver can switch between "Braking", "Cornering" and "High Speed" modes using the selector lever on the central tunnel. This gives complete control over the physics of the car.

Rare specimens and concepts: who else has tried them?

Although McLaren and Gordon Murray are the flagships of this trend, there have been other attempts to create a car with a center steering wheel. For example, Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss Edition Although it did not have a central steering wheel in the full sense, it used an open architecture inspired by racing cars, where symmetry played a key role. However, there were few full-fledged analogues of F1.

Worth mentioning concept Fiat Trepiùno, which also offered a 1+2 layout, but with a traditional left-hand drive. But in the world of racing prototypes such as Le Mans Prototypes (LMP), center landings were more common in early versions until the rules were unified for the sake of safety and cost.

In the segment of microcars and electric vehicles, the idea also pops up periodically. Companies like Tazzari or various startups from China sometimes experiment with single-seat cabins, where the steering wheel is naturally located in the center. This is logical for narrow city streets, where the width of the car is more important than the presence of a passenger.

Formula 1 cars stand apart. Although the steering wheel is removable and attached to the column, the pilot sits strictly in the center of the cockpit. This is the highest form of implementation of the principle of central landing, where every millimeter of the width of the car is regulated, and the driver is part of the aerodynamic profile.

• 🏁 Racing prototypes of the 60s and 70s often had a center seating position.
• 🚗 Microcars for metropolitan cities are a potential niche for such cars.
• 🤖 Autonomous taxis of the future may abandon the steering wheel altogether or make it central for versatility.
• 🛠️ Custom projects by enthusiasts that convert classic cars into "single-seater".

⚠️ Attention: Buying a rare car with a non-standard layout may cause difficulties when registering with the traffic police or similar authorities. Check in advance about the possibility of registering and undergoing technical inspection.

Practicality and everyday use

Can this machine be used every day? Theoretically, yes, but with reservations. Parking becomes easier due to the smaller width, but interacting with parking meters, barriers and drive-throughs can become a quest. It is more difficult to reach through the window, and the card reader may be too far from the center.

Overtaking on the highway is a different story. The driver sees the road perfectly, but it is difficult to assess the dimensions of the oncoming car if you are not used to it. It takes time for the brain to readjust and begin to correctly calibrate the distance to objects, being in the center and not to the side.

Maintenance of such vehicles also requires specifications. Access to units is often difficult due to the dense layout. If in a regular car you can climb in from the side, here access can only be from above or below, which increases the cost standard hours in the service.

However, for the enthusiast these are not problems, but features that add character. Owning such a car always means a conversation with others, attention at the gas station and a feeling of involvement in the history of the automotive industry. This is not just a means of transportation, but an object of art.

The future of central steering

With the development of autonomous driving systems, the role of the driver is changing. If the steering wheel becomes optional or retractable in the future, the center seat concept could be revived. Imagine a salon where the chair turns in the direction of traffic or turns into a lounge area. The central axis here looks the most logical for transforming space.

In the racing world, the rules are gradually changing towards lower speeds and cheaper designs, which for now delays the return to complex central designs in mass series. However, in the hypercar class, where the budget is not limited, we will still see similar experiments. 3D printing technologies will allow you to create individual cockpits of any shape, tailored to the anatomy of a particular pilot.

Electric platforms with a flat floor (skateboard) are ideal for implementing a 1+2 scheme. Batteries in the floor do not interfere with placing the chair in the center, and the absence of an internal combustion engine frees up space in the front part. Perhaps electric cars will become the new carriers of Gordon Murray’s idea.

For now a car with a steering wheel in the middle remains the preserve of select collections and track days. It's a symbol of a time when engineers prioritized driving over comfort and practicality, creating cars that would take your breath away.

⚠️ Attention: Prices for such cars are subject to strong fluctuations in the collector car market. Investment attractiveness is high, but liquidity may be low - finding a buyer may take years.

In conclusion, center steering is the romance of motorsport brought to the public road. This is the choice of those who want to be not just an observer, but the center of the universe of their car. And as long as such people exist, there will also be machines created specifically for them.