by Ferrari Brings Back Physical Buttons on the Steering Wheel
Ferrari owners who are tired of the sensitive touch panels on the steering wheel have received good news. The manufacturer has confirmed that the physical buttons introduced in the Amalfi will be available not only for new models but also as an option for existing cars.
This decision came in response to numerous complaints from drivers who reported the inconvenience of touch controls while driving. The first cars with the updated interface were the sporty 296 Speciale and the more accessible Amalfi.
Availability of the Update
According to Ferrari’s Head of Product Development, Gianmaria Fulgenzi, replacing the steering wheel elements does not require sending the car back to the factory:
Yes, it is possible. We don’t even need to replace the entire steering wheel – just the central part.
The cost of the service has not been disclosed yet, but the installation can be performed at local dealers after a short test drive for calibration.
Why Ferrari Abandoned Touch Controls
The company’s Marketing Director, Enrico Galliera, explained that the touch steering wheel was developed under the influence of modern smartphones:
Our philosophy is ‘hands on the wheel, eyes on the road.’ But we saw that people were getting distracted by the steering wheel too often. We listened to our customers.
A Ferrari representative added that the technology turned out to be “too innovative and not perfect in operation,” so the company decided to make adjustments while maintaining the overall development strategy.
It is expected that many owners will take advantage of the modernization opportunity, despite the likely high cost of the update. For most brand enthusiasts, this change will be a long-awaited improvement in ergonomics.
This move by Ferrari reflects a general trend in the auto industry – a return to tactile controls after a wave of excessive enthusiasm for touch technologies. Other premium brands have also begun to revise their interfaces, focusing on driver convenience while on the move.
