by Ferrari brings back the legendary gated gearshift lever
Ferrari has finally done what enthusiasts have been asking for over ten years. The new 12Cilindri Manuale brings back three pedals and a gated gearshift lever on a road-going Ferrari for the first time since the 599 GTB rolled off the assembly line in 2012. However, this is not just a return to the past.
Instead of using an old gearbox design, Maranello has employed modern technology to recreate the manual driving experience while retaining the performance expected from a modern Ferrari. This means the 12Cilindri Manuale will likely generate excitement, controversy, and discussion in equal measure. We say: keep it up.
Design and Exclusivity Details
At first glance, it looks exactly like the Ferrari many collectors dream of. On the center console sits a polished six-speed gate, topped with a classic round aluminum gear knob. Instead of two pedals, there are three.
Even the cabin layout has been redesigned with the driving experience in mind: Ferrari added a special tunnel and revised the ergonomics to better focus attention on gear changes. The reality hidden beneath the aluminum gate is far more complex.
Visually, the Manuale also differs from the standard car with exclusive Tailor Made details. These include laser-engraved side badges, stripes inspired by the classic 365 GTB4 Daytona, special colors, forged wheels, and additional paint options. Inside, buyers receive unique leather, Alcantara, and trim options exclusive to this model.
Manuale By-Wire Technology
Ferrari calls the system “Manuale By-Wire,” and unlike the gated “manuals” that made the brand famous, there is no mechanical connection between the lever, clutch pedal, and gearbox. Instead, both the clutch and gearshift lever communicate with the gearbox electronically via sensors and specialized control units.
When the driver presses the clutch pedal, the signal is digitized and sent to the transmission control unit. Similarly, moving the lever through the gate sends electronic commands rather than physically engaging gears. This is not too different from how Koenigsegg’s Engage Shift System works.
Ferrari claims it has made significant efforts to ensure the feel is not artificial. The company developed a special module with sensors and advanced kinematic mechanisms designed to simulate the loads associated with synchronization, engaging, and disengaging gears during each shift.
Ferrari says the system overall provides enough driver engagement to feel the jerks during startup or even stall the engine if something is done incorrectly. It’s worth turning back to the Engage Shift System to note that Koenigsegg also allows drivers to stall the car if they make a mistake. The system will also prevent downshifting beyond the permissible limit, which would be possible on a true “manual” (except for those who apply force and perform a so-called “moneyshift”).
Ultimately, the system is connected to a dual-clutch gearbox, allowing Ferrari to retain the performance advantages of its existing transmission while giving drivers a much more engaging experience. This also explains how the company can offer an automatic mode, allowing the car to switch from a three-pedal grand tourer to a regular automatic at will.
Power and Performance
Automakers often say that a manual transmission often requires sacrificing power for durability. BMW did this with its new manual M3, for example. Ferrari did not, and we can all thank the fact that it is essentially still an automatic. The naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12 continues to produce 830 hp (619 kW) and 678 Nm of torque. It still revs to an impressive 9500 rpm, accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.9 seconds, reaches 200 km/h in under 7.9 seconds, and has a top speed exceeding 340 km/h.
Price and Availability
Ferrari will produce only 1499 examples of this car, and all will go through the Taylor Made system, so none will be identical. The price starts at 590,000 euros ($675,000 USD), and that is before potential owners add even a single option.
Post from Ferrari (@ferrari)
Thus, the Ferrari 12Cilindri Manuale is not just a tribute to the past, but a complex technological compromise. It combines nostalgia for classic “manuals” with the advantages of modern automatic transmissions, such as shift speed and the ability for automatic mode. Will it be successful? Given the limited run of 1499 units and a starting price of nearly 600,000 euros, it will undoubtedly find its buyers among the most dedicated collectors. The main question is whether an electronic simulation can replace the true mechanical feel so valued by purists. The answer to that question will likely be the subject of heated debate for years to come.
