Ferrari has taken an unexpected turn with the 12Cilindri Manuale, a special-edition grand tourer that reimagines the manual driving experience for a new era. The car uses a six-position, manual-style lever and a clutch pedal, but neither connects mechanically to the transmission. Instead, electronic controls translate the driver’s movements into commands for the car’s eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT). The result is a manual-style driving experience built around modern transmission hardware, not a conventional mechanically linked manual gearbox.
The project draws on Ferrari’s manual V12 heritage from the 1950s through the 1970s, using contemporary control technology. Italian reports describe roughly four years of development, prompted by customer interest in a more involving interface. Sensors and electronic control units interpret lever and pedal inputs, while actuators manage the DCT’s clutch packs. The clutch pedal is also by-wire: its movement triggers hydraulic actuation rather than traveling through a direct mechanical linkage.
In Manuale mode, the driver uses a traditional Ferrari-style open shift gate and selects gears with the six-position lever, while the underlying transmission remains the standard 12Cilindri’s eight-speed DCT. A dedicated control switches the car back to fully automatic operation. The system manages clutch engagement and shifting electronically, combining the physical sequence of manual driving with the transmission hardware already used in the standard model.
The pedal and lever are designed to reproduce the resistance and progression of a conventional clutch and gearshift, rather than act as purely cosmetic controls. Smooth changes still depend on coordinating the clutch and throttle, then timing the lever input. Auto Express road-test coverage says the system can let a driver lurch away or even simulate an engine stall when inputs are poorly coordinated. That gives the interface some of the demands of a traditional manual.
Inside, the 12Cilindri Manuale pays homage to Ferrari’s heritage with a classic metal shift gate in the center tunnel. The round aluminum gear knob features integrated lighting to show the selected gear and driving mode, while the three-pedal layout forms a driver-focused triangular pattern reminiscent of vintage models.
Power comes from the naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12 shared with the standard 12Cilindri. It is rated at 830 CV and reaches a maximum engine speed of 9,500 rpm. The high-revving engine retains the character of Ferrari’s V12 grand tourers, while the electronically managed DCT supplies the transmission technology behind the Manuale’s six-position, manual-style interface.
Production is limited to 1,499 units, a figure described as a nod to the displacement of Ferrari’s first V12 engine from 1947. The reported starting price is €590,000, placing the Manuale as a collector-focused special series rather than a standard transmission option. The car’s bespoke Tailor Made configuration sets it apart visually: laser-etched side emblems and exclusive five-spoke forged wheels accompany personalized aluminum door sills, with styling cues inspired by the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 “Daytona.” These details distinguish the Manuale from its automatic sibling despite their shared mechanical foundation.
Ferrari’s approach reflects a wider debate about driving engagement as automation and electrification reshape the car industry. For readers interested in the technical and financial implications of gearbox technology, a recent analysis of manual versus automatic transmission failures offers further understanding: see how the costs and risks compare in modern cars.
The 12Cilindri Manuale has no fully mechanical manual gearbox: its lever and clutch pedal are interfaces for an electronically controlled DCT. It combines the tactile rituals associated with older Ferraris with modern transmission management, offering a distinct take on analog driving built around the enduring appeal of a naturally aspirated V12.
