The Mercedes-Benz steering wheel has undergone a remarkable transformation throughout automotive history, evolving from a basic steering mechanism to a sophisticated, digitalized command center. This journey reflects not only technological advancements but also Mercedes-Benz’s unwavering commitment to safety, comfort, and innovation. From its humble beginnings replacing steering levers, the steering wheel has become one of the most crucial interfaces between driver and machine, embodying the brand’s dedication to driving excellence.
The story begins in an era where automobiles were still in their infancy. Interestingly, the earliest vehicles, such as Carl Benz’s 1886 patent motor car and Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach’s 1889 “steel wheel car,” lacked steering wheels entirely. These pioneering machines relied on simple steering levers or cranks, a concept borrowed from horse-drawn carriages where reins guided the animals. This rudimentary approach to steering reflected the nascent stage of automotive technology and the direct carryover from established transportation methods.
The introduction of the steering wheel marked a pivotal moment in automotive control. French engineer Alfred Vacheron is credited with this crucial innovation. Recognizing the limitations of steering levers, Vacheron equipped his Panhard & Levassor, powered by a Daimler engine, with a steering wheel for the 1894 Paris-Rouen race, the world’s first automobile competition. This innovation provided significantly improved control, allowing for finer steering adjustments across multiple turns of the steering column. Although Vacheron only finished 11th, the superior control offered by the steering wheel quickly became evident, paving the way for its widespread adoption. The enhanced precision enabled by the steering wheel directly contributed to the possibility of higher driving speeds and greater maneuverability.
By 1900, Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft embraced the steering wheel, incorporating it into their Phoenix racing car. This model also featured a tilted steering column, significantly improving driver ergonomics and ease of use, a considerable advancement from earlier, more upright steering mechanisms. However, early steering systems still demanded substantial physical effort. The Mercedes Simplex, introduced in 1902, further refined the steering wheel by integrating levers directly onto it. These levers were essential for manually controlling engine functions such as ignition timing and the air-fuel mixture, reflecting the complex manual adjustments required in early combustion engines. This integration of engine controls into the steering wheel began the trend of it becoming more than just a steering device, but a central control point for the vehicle.
The decades of the 1920s to 1940s saw the steering wheel evolve in terms of functionality and design. While the engine control levers became less necessary due to engine advancements, a new crucial function emerged and persisted: the horn. Starting with bulb horns mounted on the rim, evolving to klaxon buttons on the hub, and culminating in the horn ring in the 1920s, the horn became a fundamental communication tool. The horn ring, a delicate feature on the steering wheel spokes, remained a standard until the 1970s.
In 1949, the horn ring gained an additional function: controlling turn signals. Until the mid-1950s, turning the horn ring activated indicator arms, which would swing out from the car’s side to indicate the intended direction. These quaint direction indicators, replaced by flashing orange-yellow lights, illustrate the early, mechanical solutions to signaling in automobiles.
 with horn ring and direction indicator in 1951”)
The 1950s marked a significant shift, transforming the steering wheel into an even more central control interface. In 1951, Mercedes-Benz introduced the column gearshift in the 300 “Adenauer-Mercedes” (W 186) and 220 (W 187). This innovation, a notable comfort upgrade, freed up floor space and was particularly beneficial for cars with bench seats common at the time. The column gearshift remained prevalent until the 1970s and made a resurgence at Mercedes-Benz in 2005 with the DIRECT SELECT automatic selector lever. Further enhancing functionality, a lever for the headlamp flasher was added in 1955. Another major advancement was the introduction of power steering in the Mercedes-Benz 300 sedan in 1958, addressing the considerable physical effort required for steering earlier vehicles, especially larger models.
 with column gearshift in 1951”)
The 1960s were defined by a heightened focus on safety, particularly in steering wheel design. In 1959, the Mercedes-Benz “Fintail” (W 111) pioneered automotive safety with an integrated safety concept. This included a safety steering wheel featuring a large, deformable baffle plate to mitigate injury risk in collisions and a split steering column designed to prevent the “lance effect,” where a rigid steering column could be forced towards the driver in a frontal impact. Mercedes-Benz further improved steering safety in 1967 by standardizing a patented safety steering system with a telescopic steering column and impact absorber across its passenger car range. This commitment to occupant safety cemented Mercedes-Benz’s reputation as a leader in automotive engineering.
 with safety steering wheel and combined lever in 1959”)
Functionality also expanded in the 1960s. The “Fintail” and “Ponton” models in 1959 introduced the first combined lever, integrating indicator and headlight flasher functions. By 1963, this lever further incorporated windshield wiper and washer controls, consolidating multiple controls into a single, more ergonomic unit.
The 1970s and 1980s continued the safety-centric evolution of the steering wheel. The four-spoke safety steering wheel, debuting in the 350 SL Roadster in 1971, offered enhanced impact protection with a large padded plate and impact absorber. The robust spoke design ensured the steering wheel rim’s structural integrity during collisions, and horn buttons were relocated to the steering wheel’s center, marking the end of the horn ring era.
 with four-spoke safety steering wheel in 1971”)
1975 saw the introduction of cruise control in the Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL 6.9, one of the first vehicles to offer this feature as standard. This innovation enhanced driving comfort on long journeys. In 1998, Mercedes-Benz premiered the world’s first radar-supported DISTRONIC proximity control system, also in the S-Class (220 series), further demonstrating the brand’s commitment to advanced driver assistance systems.
A monumental leap in steering wheel safety occurred in 1981 with the introduction of the driver airbag in the S-Class (126 series). This groundbreaking safety feature, concealed within a larger baffle plate, represented a significant advancement in occupant protection during collisions. While early airbags were bulky, subsequent development led to more compact designs, allowing designers greater flexibility. Driver airbags became standard across all Mercedes-Benz passenger cars in 1992, followed by passenger airbags in 1994. These airbags, inflating to a substantial size in milliseconds, demonstrated Mercedes-Benz’s dedication to minimizing injury severity in accidents.
 with driver airbag steering wheel from 1981”)
The multifunction steering wheel arrived in 1998 alongside the COMAND system in the S-Class (220 series), marking another revolution. This innovation addressed the increasing complexity of vehicle functions and infotainment systems. The multifunction steering wheel allowed drivers to control numerous systems and access vital information without removing their hands from the wheel. Integrating controls for the car radio, car phone, and a central instrument cluster display, the multifunction steering wheel significantly enhanced driver convenience and reduced distraction.
 from 1998”)
In 2005, Mercedes-Benz reintroduced steering wheel gearshift controls with the DIRECT SELECT system in the M-Class and S-Class. The automatic selector lever moved back to the steering column, freeing up center console space. Steering wheel gearshift buttons enabled manual gear preselection, providing a more engaging driving experience. By 2008, steering wheel gearshift paddles were available on models like the SL Roadster, further enhancing driver control.
The design of the Mercedes-Benz steering wheel also evolved dramatically. From polygonal shapes to geometric forms and flowing spoke designs, the steering wheel became more refined. However, accommodating airbags, cables, circuit boards, and sensors in the 2000s initially led to bulkier designs.
 with touch control buttons from 2016”)
2016 witnessed another world-first in the E-Class (213 series): touch-sensitive Touch Control buttons on the steering wheel. These buttons allowed drivers to control the entire infotainment system with finger swipes, maintaining hand contact with the steering wheel. Mimicking smartphone interfaces, these touch controls responded to horizontal and vertical swiping gestures, offering intuitive and logical operation.
The latest generation of Mercedes-Benz steering wheels, launched in the E-Class in 2020, features capacitive technology. This capacitive steering wheel incorporates a two-zone sensor mat within the rim, detecting hand grip without requiring steering movement. The Touch Control buttons are also capacitive, minimizing mechanical surfaces and providing seamless, flush integration into the steering wheel spokes. These capacitive sensors, similar to smartphone screens, register and interpret touches and swipes, even in high-temperature environments.
 from 2020”)
Mercedes-Benz designers emphasize the importance of perfect proportions and haptic feel. Steering wheel rim geometry is meticulously engineered to ensure a comfortable and secure grip, recognizing the steering wheel as a primary tactile interface in the vehicle. The design philosophy of Sensual Purity is reflected in the modern Mercedes-Benz steering wheel, harmonizing high technology with emotional appeal. The steering wheel, therefore, is not merely a functional component but a key element in the overall Mercedes-Benz driving experience, embodying innovation, safety, and a deep understanding of driver interaction.
