- Ferrari’s touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel can now be replaced with physical buttons.
- The retrofit is compatible with the Roma, Purosangue, 296, SF90, and 12Cilindri models.
- The change debuted in the hardcore 296 Speciale and is also found in the new Amalfi.
For Ferrari drivers who’ve grown tired of fighting finicky touch-sensitive controls every time they adjust something on the wheel, there’s finally good news. The company has confirmed that the new physical buttons introduced in the Amalfi will also be made available not just to upcoming models, but also for recent Ferraris as a retrofit option.
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The Italian supercar brand is now aligning with the broader industry’s shift back to physical controls, driven largely by customer feedback. Owners of models like the Roma, Purosangue, 296, SF90, and the new 12Cilindri voiced frustrations about the overly sensitive touch interface on the steering wheel.
In response, Ferrari introduced a redesigned control layout, first featured in the track-focused 296 Speciale and more recently in the entry-level Amalfi.
Compatible With the Current Lineup
The same updated layout will carry over to future models. But what about the thousands of owners already driving touch-equipped Ferraris? According to product development chief Gianmaria Fulgenzi, there’s a solution. Speaking to Top Gear, he explained that the new physical buttons can be retrofitted onto existing cars across the lineup: “Yes, you can have it. We don’t even have to replace the whole wheel. Just the centre.”
Fulgenzi didn’t share pricing details, but noted the upgrade doesn’t require shipping the car back to the Maranello factory. Instead, local dealers can perform the installation, followed by a brief test drive to ensure the calibration is correct.
Why the Touch Controls Were Introduced
Enrico Galliera, Ferrari’s Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer, offered some background on why touch controls were added in the first place. During the development of the SF90, Ferrari’s most performance-focused model at the time, the team aimed to create the fastest possible interface. Inspired by the speed and responsiveness of smartphone touchscreens, they carried that concept over to the car’s steering wheel.
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Unfortunately, the change wasn’t as successful as originally planned. “Our philosophy is always ‘hands on the wheel, eyes on the roads,” said Galliera. “But we were finding people were having too much time with their eyes also on the wheel. We listened to our customers.”
Galliera acknowledged the interface was “probably too advanced and not 100% perfect in use,” and emphasized that Ferrari is not abandoning the strategy altogether, but rather making adjustments based on real-world feedback.
A Likely Upgrade for Many Owners
With the retrofit option now confirmed, it’s easy to imagine a surge of owners scheduling appointments at their nearest dealership to swap out the steering wheel controls. Given the typically high cost of Ferrari parts, the upgrade likely won’t come cheap, but for most owners, we’re going to wager that it won’t be a dealbreaker.
