Ferrari unveils 12Cilindri Manuale with electronic manual shifting

Ferrari unveils 12Cilindri Manuale with electronic manual shifting

Ferrari has reintroduced three pedals and a gated shifter to its V-12 lineup with the 12Cilindri Manuale. While the car appears to be a traditional manual, it utilizes a high-tech electronic interface to control a rear-mounted dual-clutch transmission (DCT). This marks the first time a road-going Ferrari has featured such a layout since the 599 GTB Fiorano ended production in 2012.

The system, which Ferrari calls Manuale By-Wire (or E-Shift), creates a digital bridge between the driver and the 8-speed DCT. There is no physical connection between the gear lever, the clutch pedal, and the powertrain. Instead, sensors and control modules translate driver movements into electronic signals. To replicate the tactile feel of a mechanical gearbox, Ferrari developed a module with kinematic mechanisms that simulate the resistance and loads of gear engagement and disengagement.

Gianmaria Fulgenzi, Ferrari’s product development chief, stated at a technical preview in Maranello:

"It is not just about moving from one gear to another. The transient phases are the key: the sound, the slight friction, the engagement of the lever itself."

Gianmaria Fulgenzi, Ferrari’s product development chief, via Road and Track

The cabin is redesigned around this experience, featuring a polished six-speed shift gate and a classic round aluminum knob. The hardware, constructed from aluminum and gas-nitrided steel, adds only 5 kg (11 lbs) to the vehicle's weight. Despite the manual interface, the car remains homologated as an automatic and retains a Drive mode for fully automatic shifting.

Operational Limits and Performance

Drivers can engage manual mode by depressing the clutch pedal at speeds below 60 mph (97 km/h) or 62 mph, depending on the source. Once engaged, the driver can row through the first six forward speeds. Because the gate only covers six ratios, the car reverts to automatic control to reach seventh and eighth gears.

The system is designed to mimic the risks and rewards of a true manual:

• Stalling: Valentin Marguet, the engineer who led development, confirmed that releasing the clutch too quickly from a standstill will stall the 819-hp V-12. This is achieved by the software stopping the engine to prevent damage to the stationary driveshaft.
• Clutch Dumping: Drivers can build revolutions and dump the clutch, a maneuver not possible in the standard 12Cilindri.
• Safety Inhibitors: The software prevents money shifts into inappropriately low gears. If a driver attempts an incompatible shift, a solenoid within the gearshift mechanism blocks the movement.
• Flat-shifting: To maintain verisimilitude, the system requires the clutch pedal to be pressed for every ratio change; flat-shifting is not permitted.

The 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V-12 engine produces 819 hp at 9,250 rpm and 500 lb-ft (678 Nm) of torque at 7,250 rpm. It revs to 9,500 rpm, propelling the coupe from 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in 2.9 seconds with a top speed exceeding 211 mph (340 km/h).

Design and Exclusivity

The Manuale is a limited-edition coupe with a run of 1,499 cars. Every unit will be processed through Ferrari’s Tailor Made program, meaning no two vehicles will be identical. Visual distinctions from the standard model include:

• Laser-etched Manuale logos on the front fender vents.
• Heritage-inspired pinstripes on the rear wings and front splitter, referencing the 365 GTB4 Daytona.
• Unique forged wheel designs.
• Custom interior options in leather and Alcantara.

Under the skin, Ferrari modified the exhaust to amplify the V-12 sound and redesigned the cooling system for the engine and ancillaries. The aerodynamics were also updated, specifically the underbody surfaces, allowing for either high-downforce or low-drag configurations.

The financial premium for this electronic simulation is steep. In Europe, the Manuale starts at €590,000, which is nearly €200,000 more than the standard 12Cilindri coupe. This translates to approximately $675,000, though some estimates place the cost closer to $700,000 depending on the exchange rate and options.

Ferrari has indicated that the production run is effectively sold out. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in early 2027.