Key Takeaways
- A patent for an easy-to-manufacture, modular shift-lit steering wheel hints at cool, affordable technology for mainstream cars.
- The modular base design reduces the manufacturing costs of the technologies used in performance models.
- Hyundai's expanding N Performance Parts catalogue makes it the perfect place for accessories like this.
Hyundai's N division is on a roll, breaking away from being a junior performance brand to becoming a true benchmark in the performance world. The Ioniq 5N is a great example of this, setting a new standard for performance EVs and proving that electric cars can be fun to drive without a six-figure price tag. Now, Hyundai and its N division seem on a mission to democratize the cool performance technology that's usually reserved for the most expensive BMW M and Mercedes-AMG products. Car Buzz We found a patent for a steering wheel with a built-in shift light that would be available to the masses.
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The concept of a steering wheel with integrated shift lights, which was filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the German Patent and Trademark Office (DPMA) and published by both offices earlier this month, is not new, but Hyundai claims that the simple structure and low manufacturing costs would make it easy to mass-produce such a wheel, meaning the technology could soon be introduced into many mainstream models.
Patent filings are not a guarantee that a technology will be incorporated into a future vehicle and are often used solely as a means to protect intellectual property. Such filings cannot be interpreted as a confirmation of production intent.
Simple construction reduces manufacturing costs and complexity
The premise behind the wheel is simple, there is a cutout in the upper wheel rim where an LED display can be fitted. A finishing panel with a lens could easily be mounted on top of this, and the finish could come in a variety of materials, including carbon fiber. But the simplest, yet most important detail, is that there is no need to build any wiring into this wheel from scratch.
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Instead, Hyundai envisions a base wheel architecture with grooves that allow wiring to be installed only when needed. This modular base would allow Hyundai to take advantage of economies of scale to reduce overall manufacturing costs and allow it to manufacture a single steering wheel for multiple vehicles.
What models can it be used on?
Steering wheels like this aren't used in everyday cars. You don't need to see the shift light when driving an econobox or luxury car. But Hyundai has some performance models, and the Ioniq 5 N and Elantra N are two of our favorites right now. Hyundai N has already previewed N performance parts for the Ioniq 5 N, and has declared that other models will be offered with their own parts in the future. And since options already include carbon fiber wheels, lowering springs, and performance brake pads, we expect these performance wheels to be added in the future.
2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
- Base suggested retail price
- $66,100
- engine
- Electrical
- horsepower
- 601 horsepower (N Green Boost 641 horsepower)
- torque
- 545 lb-ft (568 lb-ft N-Green Boost)
- Drivetrain
- automatic
- 0-60 MPH
- 3.2 seconds
- maximum speed
- 162 miles per hour
Interestingly, the patent documents show a steering wheel from the Genesis G90, a luxury rival to the S-Class, though we're not sure we'd ever need this type of wheel. However, Genesis could make this kind of performance modification with its new Magma lineup. The luxury brand recently unveiled its Nurburgring taxi service, and we've been told that the Magma models won't have a flashy exterior, but rather the interior will be the focal point to enhance the driving experience. A GV60 or G70 Magma with this type of steering wheel could be a reality. Or, even better, the rumored Genesis GT90 performance coupe.
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