Ferrari takes a bold and welcome step by bringing back physical steering wheel buttons. The luxury carmaker now lets owners of recent models—including the 296 GTB, SF90 Stradale, Purosangue, and the newly launched 12Cilindri—upgrade to a steering wheel with traditional tactile buttons. Ferrari’s new steering wheels are all set to replace the often-criticized touch-sensitive controls.
Ferrari introduced the change in its latest model, the Amalfi grand tourer, which features a revised steering wheel that uses solid, easy-to-use buttons instead of touch-sensitive ones. Customers responded overwhelmingly positively, and Ferrari is now offering this option to existing owners who want a better driving experience.
Why the Change?
Real-world frustration, not just aesthetics, drove the shift away from touch controls. Many Ferrari drivers found the touch-sensitive buttons overly sensitive and unintuitive. They often activated cruise control, scrolled through menus, or changed settings mid-corner by accident. To reduce these issues, Ferrari added a fail-safe that shut off the sensors after 10 seconds of inactivity. While clever, it served only as a temporary fix.
Gianmaria Fulgenzi, Ferrari’s Head of Product Development, said the retrofit is simple and doesn’t require replacing the entire wheel. “We don’t even have to replace the whole wheel—just the center boss,” Fulgenzi explained in an interview with TopGear.com. Even better, owners can visit any authorized Ferrari dealership for the upgrade. After installation, technicians will run a short calibration test drive to ensure everything works perfectly.
A Lesson in Listening to Customers
Ferrari’s new steering wheels are a rare example of a luxury brand responding directly to customer feedback and acknowledging a design misstep.
Enrico Galliera, Ferrari’s Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer, said the company believes in keeping “hands on the wheel, eyes on the road.” However, the touch interface produced the opposite effect. “We found that people were spending too much time looking at the wheel itself,” Galliera said. “We listened to our customers and made the change.”
Why Ferrari Chose Touch Controls Initially
Ferrari initially adopted touch-sensitive controls to support its performance and design ambitions. The SF90 Stradale, for example, aimed to become the most technologically advanced Ferrari ever. With a 986 horsepower plug-in hybrid powertrain, Ferrari wanted every detail—from the drivetrain to the interior—to reflect speed and innovation. Touch controls seemed like a way to modernize and streamline the cockpit.
Design Chief Flavio Manzoni also pushed for a minimalist approach, famously saying, “Beauty is simplicity.” But even Ferrari admits that in this case, simplicity went too far.
Galliera acknowledged the interface was “probably too advanced” and “not 100 percent perfect in use.” He clarified that this doesn’t mark a full strategy shift but rather a smarter balance between advanced features and practical use.
What It Means for Ferrari Owners
This news comes as a relief to owners frustrated by the fussy touch controls. The new steering wheel offers precise, tactile feedback that enhances the driving experience instead of distracting from it. Many owners are expected to opt for the upgrade.
While Ferrari hasn’t announced official pricing or availability, dealerships will have the most up-to-date details. Interested customers should contact their local Ferrari service center to learn more about the process.
Could This Spark an Industry-Wide Shift?
Ferrari’s move may influence other carmakers to rethink their tech-heavy interiors. In recent years, many brands have embraced touchscreen-based interfaces, often at the cost of usability. Could this inspire a broader return to physical controls?
Maybe BMW will keep its iDrive clickwheel. Perhaps Audi will bring back physical climate controls. Could Tesla even reintroduce gear selector stalks? Nothing is guaranteed—but Ferrari just proved that even the world’s most elite automakers can listen, adapt, and prioritize the joy of driving.
