Ferrari Introduces Retrofit Physical Buttons for Owners Tired of Touch Controls | Carscoops

      All you need to do is take your Ferrari to the nearest dealership, and they will carry out the upgrade.

      Ferrari’s touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel can now be replaced with physical buttons.

      This retrofit is compatible with the Roma, Purosangue, 296, SF90, and 12Cilindri models.

      This update first appeared in the high-performance 296 Speciale and is also present in the new Amalfi.

      For Ferrari drivers who have grown frustrated with the sensitive touch controls when trying to make adjustments on the steering wheel, there's finally positive news. The company has confirmed that the new physical buttons, introduced in the Amalfi, will not only be available for future models but also as a retrofit option for recent Ferraris.

      The Italian supercar manufacturer is now aligning with the industry trend of reverting to physical controls, primarily influenced by customer feedback. Owners of models such as the Roma, Purosangue, 296, SF90, and the new 12Cilindri have expressed their dissatisfaction with the overly sensitive touch interface on the steering wheel.

      In response, Ferrari has presented a redesigned control layout, first seen in the track-focused 296 Speciale and more recently in the entry-level Amalfi.

      The same updated design will transition to future models. But what about the thousands of owners already driving Ferraris with touch controls? Gianmaria Fulgenzi, the product development chief, mentioned that a solution exists. In an interview with Top Gear, he explained that the new physical buttons can be retrofitted onto existing models across the lineup: “Yes, you can have it. We don’t even have to replace the whole wheel. Just the centre.”

      While Fulgenzi did not provide pricing information, he noted that the upgrade doesn’t necessitate shipping the car back to the Maranello factory. Instead, local dealerships can handle the installation, followed by a brief test drive to ensure proper calibration.

      Enrico Galliera, Ferrari’s Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer, provided insight into why touch controls were incorporated initially. During the development of the SF90, Ferrari's most performance-oriented model at that time, the team sought to create the fastest interface possible. Inspired by the quick responsiveness of smartphone touchscreens, they applied that concept to the car’s steering wheel.

      Unfortunately, the change didn’t go as successfully as intended. “Our philosophy is always ‘hands on the wheel, eyes on the road,’” said Galliera. “However, we found that people were spending too much time looking at the wheel as well. We listened to our customers.”

      Galliera acknowledged that the interface was "probably too advanced and not 100% perfect in use" and emphasized that Ferrari is not entirely abandoning the strategy but is making modifications based on real-world feedback.

      With the retrofit option now confirmed, it’s likely that many owners will schedule appointments at their local dealership to replace the steering wheel controls. Given the typically high cost of Ferrari parts, this upgrade may not be inexpensive, but for most owners, it’s unlikely to be a dealbreaker.