Ferrari Offers Retrofit Kit to Swap Haptic Controls for Real Buttons

Physical Buttons Make a Comeback at Maranello

Ferrari has done something rather unusual — they've acknowledged that perhaps their haptic steering wheel controls weren't quite the winner they thought they'd be. According to reports from Ferrari of Atlanta and Motor1, the Italian marque is now offering a retrofit kit for Purosangue and 12Cilindri owners that swaps out those touch-sensitive surfaces for actual, physical buttons.

This appears to be the first time a manufacturer has offered an official retrofit kit to add buttons back to a modern car, which is quite the about-face in an industry that's been pushing touch controls for years.

What's Included

The kit itself is reasonably straightforward — it's essentially a replacement piece of plastic trim with proper clicky buttons instead of the backlit haptic surfaces that have copped criticism from owners. Ferrari has designed it to maintain the steering wheel's overall appearance whilst making it far more user-friendly.

Interestingly, there's one exception: the start/stop button remains haptic. Perhaps some traditions are harder to kill than others, or maybe Ferrari reckons starting the engine is theatrical enough to warrant the touch-sensitive treatment.

Why It Matters

This retrofit program is significant because it shows even premium manufacturers are listening to customer feedback. Haptic controls might look sleek in the showroom, but they're often fiddly to use on the road, particularly when you're concentrating on driving.

For classic car enthusiasts who value tactile feedback and proper mechanical controls, this is a welcome sign. It suggests the pendulum might be swinging back towards interfaces that prioritise usability over minimalist aesthetics.

Whether other manufacturers follow Ferrari's lead remains to be seen, but it's encouraging to see physical buttons making a comeback — even if it took customer complaints to get there.