Top News

Speculation about Ferrari reintroducing a manual gearbox had been circulating for quite some time, and now those rumours have materialised—almost. The new Ferrari 12Cilindri Manuale is a limited-edition version of the brand’s V12-powered grand tourer, equipped with both a traditional-looking gear lever and a clutch pedal. However, this isn’t a conventional manual transmission. Instead, it’s a technologically advanced reinterpretation, with Ferrari reengineering the existing rear-mounted dual-clutch transmission of the 12Cilindri to mimic a manual driving experience.

While we’ll have to wait for a proper drive to determine how well this transformation works, Ferrari has invested considerable effort into developing what it calls the E-Shift system. The 12Cilindri Manuale retains its eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, complete with a standard Drive mode that functions just like the regular car. But now, drivers can take full control by pressing the clutch pedal and shifting through six forward gears using the open-gate lever—the top two ratios are disabled in manual mode. The lever can also be used to engage neutral and reverse.

The control interface combines smart software with the new physical gear selector and clutch pedal. The so-called “clutch” pedal, though, is not mechanically connected to the gearbox’s twin clutches. Instead, its resistance comes from spring rates designed to mimic the feel of a traditional pedal, while the actual operation is handled by electronic switches.

Similarly, the gear lever has been engineered to replicate the tactile feedback and weight of Ferrari’s classic gated manuals, but its inputs are transmitted electronically through microswitches to the gearbox control system. “It’s not only about shifting from one gear to another,” explained Gianmaria Fulgenzi, Ferrari’s head of product development, during the system’s unveiling at the company’s design centre in Maranello. “The real focus is on the transition moments—the sound, the subtle resistance, and the engagement of the lever itself.”

Based on initial impressions from a static prototype showcased at a technical preview, the setup feels quite convincing—at least while stationary. The gearshift action is smoother and more satisfying than the somewhat notchy feel of Ferrari’s older manual transmissions, from the era when the brand encouraged customers to adopt its automated “F1” systems. It’s also a rare experience to sit in a modern Ferrari without the signature paddle shifters behind the steering wheel—something that hasn’t happened in nearly two decades.

Despite the mechanical precision of the hardware, both the clutch and gearshift serve merely as interfaces for the software managing the gearbox’s manual-like performance. For instance, releasing the clutch too fast from a standstill will cause the V12 engine to stall. Engineer Valentin Marguet, who led the E-Shift’s development, confirmed that the system achieves this by cutting the engine power rather than risking drivetrain damage. Drivers will still be able to operate the clutch while moving, coast in neutral, or even perform aggressive clutch drops—something that’s not possible in the standard 12Cilindri’s transmission.

“If it’s something you can do with a traditional manual gearbox, we want to make sure you can do it here too,” Marguet explained.

However, there are limits to this philosophy. The Manuale will prevent any driver inputs that could harm the drivetrain. For instance, it won’t allow “money shifts” into excessively low gears that could over-rev the engine. If an unsuitable gear is selected, a solenoid inside the shifter will block movement into that position. Switching from manual to automatic mode can be done at any time, but manual control cannot be engaged at speeds above around 60 mph, or if the shifter isn’t in a compatible gear—indicated by an alert on the digital rev counter.

Marguet also noted that for realism, the clutch pedal must be pressed to change gears in manual mode, meaning flat-shifting without the clutch isn’t possible. While older Ferraris allowed this at the risk of mechanical wear, the new system enforces mechanical sympathy through software.

Visually, the Manuale distinguishes itself subtly. Beyond the gated gear lever and extra pedal, the car features a small laser-etched “Manuale” badge on its front fender vents, a fine pinstripe on the front splitter and rear wings, and an exclusive forged wheel design. All 1,499 units of the 12Cilindri Manuale will be offered through Ferrari’s Tailor Made program, allowing for extensive customisation—but at a significant cost. The model will be available exclusively as a coupe.

Although U.S. pricing hasn’t been officially confirmed, the European figures suggest a premium of nearly 50 percent over the standard 12Cilindri coupe. That would bring the price close to $700,000—an expensive indulgence for a sophisticated nod to tradition.