Carbon Fiber Steering Wheel with LEDs, why?

When i push hard in manual mode, yes i use always.
And yes is it a very very cool factor for me.
The steering wheel with this option very similar to the F1 wheel.
And this option (for me), give a really Ferrari feel, just like the manettino.

 

Hi - I am no expert here, as like you I am waiting delivery of my 488.

That said I spent an hour behind the wheel of the demonstrator at the garage, and the thing that was very evident is not only how fast this thing is, but how quickly you hit the limiter. I know it sounds silly but when you are giving it some stick, you really don't want to be looking at the tacho, so unless you want to keep bumping the limiter then it is actually quite handy.

I guess that it will only be a small percentage of the time that you will be driving it flat out but when you do, it will help you time your changes.

This thing hits the red line so much quicker than say a 430...

I'm not having any other carbon apart from the sports seats, but think it will look fine.

Regards

Michael

 

I'm a big believer in embracing what makes Ferrari's unique to their era. I love all generations of Ferrari's, and the modern cars are no different. Today, carbon fiber is a signature element of the cars' design and technology, and I plan on ordering many carbon fiber options in my car. As for the wheel LED's, I think it's a staple option for the modern car. I wouldn't even consider not ordering it.

 

It looks very good and useful in the meantime Image Unavailable, Please Login


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I have it on my 458. If I didn't have it, I would wish I had it.

 

I think you asked 2 different questions...

1) just the carbon wheel, or all carbon? Obviously, that's up to you. In our case, we are an "everything" or "nothing" (i.e. the standard aluminum finish). We did all CF interior in our 458 and F12, as the mix of CF and aluminum to us didn't work. We got ZERO carbon on our FF's, and it was all CF standard on the last 2 cars.

In reality, all the CF on Ferrari street cars (interior and exterior) is cosmetic. You might save a few pounds - particularly on the seat - but it's neither structural nor that much of an impact on weight. However, it does look pretty cool.

my opinion is "just" the CF wheel sort of doesn't make sense

2) the LED's. In reality, the LED's are a bit gimmicky, but they ARE functional, and from a few drives in the 488, it helps you hit your shift points. I'd much prefer if they were multicolored (as they are in actual race cars), vs. all red.

You can get the LED's in a non-CF wheel, you have to spec it as Extra Campionario and it's about same cost as a CF wheel, but they are done nicely.

 

I have carbon fiber and LEDS in the steering wheel of my 458. I'd rather have a full leather wheel, as the tactile sensation of the carbon fiber is not as nice as leather. If I order a 488 I'll get the steering wheel without the CF and LEDS.

 

I will tell you why I speced it.

Because this car revs and accelerates so fast the Tach is useless. There's no time to look at it. The Red LED's tell you what you need to know while looking out at what's in front of the car.

If it was a gimmick, why does every modern race car today have it?

 

In my 458 spider the car upshifts in wet manual mode and doesn't hit the rev limiter. In race manual mode the car will not upshift and you will hit the limiter.

I haven't driven the car in sport manual in so long l can't remember if the car car upshifts automatically if in manual mode. I will check it out tomorrow. I drive in manual race on the highway and manual wet in town...softest setup and smoother shifts...less jerky.

 

+ 1. What he said.

 

I'm not a CF fan, but my car has quite a bit of it from the factory including the CF steering wheel with LEDs. As pointed out by others, the LEDs are essential given how incredibly quickly the RPMs build. Plus tach illumination is completely lacking during daylight hours rendering the LEDs a critical performance driving tool. I'd prefer the LED wheel without the CF but with the CF drivers zone and CF console, the CF does look pretty good and I do get lots of compliments.

 

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If you don't want the carbon fiber but still want the LEDs, you can have the factory wrap those parts of the steering wheel in leather. I have the carbon fiber/LED on my 458. When I ordered my f12 I thought the leather fit the car interior better than the carbon fiber on the steering wheel. They called the factory and said they would do it. It looks great!!

 

Yeah, it's a Ferrari and they don't disappoint with the cool looking stuff that people want to see.


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The interior just looks plain without it.

 

+1. Unless you plan on tracking the car, its a silly gimmick. Ordered my spider w/o it. Staying classic. No need to light up a Christmas tree on a car that will never be tracked. Look at Bugatti or Pagani, classic leathers, with CF rarely seen and LED's are a no no. CF is a fad that will fade over time. LED's will look worn out, tired and just plain silly in the future. Sorry if this is contrary to popular opinion, but it's MHO.

 

I have it on my 458 and I will look every now and then. It's more accurate than listening to the engine for shifting clues, at least for me. I think it's a really cool feature that I have now grown accustomed to and will probably miss if I don't have it on future high performance cars. If I'd never known about it I wouldn't have cared ignorance can be bliss!

 

I wouldn't get a ferrari without it. But, on a track it's just a gimmick. You know from the sounds when to shift vs any tach or lights.

 

I went with a leather wrapped LED steering wheel for my 458 spider. Honestly don't miss it on my Huracan or 991 GT3.

 

With a helmet on and other loud cars around you, it's no gimmick.

 

During my track days it sure was. Same view for a lot of guys who track regularly also.

 

Are those bits real carbon or plastic reinforced for ascetic look only? I heard that those pieces are not true full carbon bits.
If that is true I would definitely go with standard finishing and might consider aftermarket true carbon parts. Who with common sense would spend so much money on something that is not even full carbon?