AssetID: 55831715
Headline: Ferrari brings back manual gear box in new car for first time in more than a decade
Caption: **VIDEO AVAILABLE: CONTACT INFO@COVERMG.COM TO RECEIVE** BY MARK WORGAN Ferrari has unveiled its first car with a manual gearbox since 2012. The new limited-edition version of its flagship Ferrari 12Cilindri V12 grand tourer that aims to recreate the experience of driving a traditional manual sports car – but does not have a conventional gearbox. The car retains the Italian manufacturer's eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission but introduces a clutch pedal and a classic open-gated H-pattern gear lever, replacing the steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters found on recent Ferrari models. Rather than being mechanically linked to the gearbox, however, both the clutch and gear lever operate electronically through a new system known as "Manuale by Wire", developed at Ferrari's headquarters in Maranello. The company says the technology has been designed to recreate the physical involvement of driving a manual car while retaining the performance and reliability of its existing dual-clutch transmission. When the driver presses the clutch pedal, the car switches into a dedicated manual mode, allowing the first six forward gears and reverse to be selected through the aluminium gear gate. Seventh and eighth gears remain reserved for automatic mode, which can be activated using a dashboard control. Ferrari says the system was developed in response to continued demand from customers for a more engaging driving experience, despite the disappearance of manual gearboxes from the firm's production cars more than a decade ago. Unlike a traditional manual transmission, there is no mechanical linkage between the driver's controls and the gearbox. Instead, sensors interpret the driver's inputs before transmitting electronic commands to the transmission. To recreate the feel of a conventional manual gearbox, Ferrari has developed a mechanical gear selector incorporating springs, cams and actuators that generate the resistance, clicks and movement associated with shifting through a traditional metal gate. The company says particular attention was also paid to the sound of the mechanism, recreating the familiar metallic click that has become synonymous with classic Ferraris fitted with open-gated manual transmissions. The three-pedal layout has also been redesigned. The clutch pedal operates electronically but has been calibrated to mimic the weight and travel of a conventional clutch. Ferrari says drivers must still coordinate the clutch and accelerator correctly, with poor timing capable of producing jerky gear changes or even stalling the engine, replicating the behaviour of a traditional manual car. The system also allows familiar driving techniques such as heel-and-toe downshifts and high-rev starts, while electronic safeguards prevent gears being engaged without first depressing the clutch. Mechanically, the 12Cilindri Manuale remains largely unchanged from the standard model launched in 2024. It is powered by Ferrari's naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12 engine, producing 830cv and revving to 9,500rpm. The company says the engine's broad rev range makes it particularly suited to the new transmission interface. The additional hardware required for the Manuale by Wire system weighs less than 3.5kg, according to Ferrari. Inside, the cabin has been reworked to accommodate the gear lever and redesigned centre console. The aluminium gear knob features illuminated gear markings, while the open steel shift gate recalls Ferrari's manual sports cars of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. The limited-edition model will be restricted to 1,499 examples worldwide. Ferrari says the production figure references the capacity, in cubic centimetres, of the first V12 engine the company produced in 1947. Customers will also be offered a dedicated Tailor Made specification, including exclusive paint finishes, forged alloy wheels, unique interior trim and styling details inspired by historic Ferrari models such as the 365 GTB4. The company says the car has been designed for owners of its front-engined V12 grand tourers seeking "an even more physical level of driving emotions", combining analogue-style interaction with modern electronic technology. The Ferrari 12Cilindri Manuale is expected to go on sale in 2027, with prices starting at around €590,000 (about £500,000). As with all new Ferrari models, it will be covered by the company's seven-year maintenance programme.
Keywords: feature, ferrari, photo, video, motoring, cars
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