BMW released a demo video detailing functions of their new M Performance Steering wheel. Available as part of the BMW M Performance package, the M Steering wheel is wrapped in Alcantara and trimmed with carbon fiber, but the main highlight of it is a little display at the top of the wheel.
Inspired by F1 cars steering wheel, that display shows you various info, depending on the mode you are into. In EcoPro mode you get details of your fuel consumption, average speed, and stuff like that. In Sport mode you get stopwatch, lap timer, and even a quarter mile timer which works in tandem with the Ferrari-style lights on the wheel. There is also a race mode which measures how many G’s you are pulling around corners.
This system has its uses, but there’s no getting away from the fact that at least until you get used to it, it is going to be a bit distracting. That’s ironic, because BMW has made this whole thing to stop the driver from being distracted by the instruments.