Ferrari Finally Brought Back The Manual-Sort Of

Ferrari introduced the 2027 12Cilindri Manuale, a limited-edition flagship grand tourer featuring a “Manuale By-Wire” system that simulates a gated manual transmission. According to Motor1, the car utilizes a dual-clutch gearbox paired with a physical clutch pedal and shifter, with production limited to 1,499 units.

How the Manuale By-Wire system simulates a stick shift

The 12Cilindri Manuale is not a traditional manual. It uses the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) found in the standard 12Cilindri—or, as The Drive reports, the same unit used in the SF90 Stradale—but replaces the mechanical interface with an electronic one. Ferrari’s “Manuale By-Wire” system translates driver inputs from a physical shifter and clutch pedal into electronic signals for the transmission. There is no mechanical linkage between the pedals, the lever, and the gearbox. Instead, the car uses two Hall-effect sensors to monitor shifter movement and a sensor to measure the travel of the electronic clutch pedal. To engage the system, the driver must select Manual mode. According to Road & Track, the car can be booted directly into Manual mode if the clutch pedal is depressed during startup. If only the brake is pressed, the car behaves as a standard automatic DCT.

The tactile engineering of the gated shifter and clutch

Photo: The Drive

Ferrari focused on replicating the “analogue feel” of its historical manuals. The shifter features a classic exposed metal gate and a polished knob. To achieve a realistic feel, engineers looked back at the 599 GTB to recreate the specific shifter throw, travel, and the play of the metal rod against the gates. The clutch pedal is similarly engineered. While it operates via electronic switches, Ferrari used specific spring rates to mimic the resistance and force required by a conventional pedal. “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 product development chief, via Road & Track The system is designed to be immersive enough that drivers can experience the mistakes associated with a real manual. If a driver releases the clutch too quickly from a standstill, the engine will stall. Valentin Marguet, the engineer who led the system’s development, confirmed to Road & Track that the car stalls by simply stopping the engine to avoid risking damage to the stationary driveshaft.

Performance specs and limited production numbers

Despite the change in interface, the powertrain remains a naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12. The Manuale retains the same performance benchmarks as the standard model.

Specification	Detail
Horsepower	819 hp
Torque	500 lb-ft
0-62 mph	3.0 seconds
Top Speed	211 mph
Production Limit	1,499 units

While the underlying gearbox has eight speeds, the Manuale limits the driver to six forward gears and reverse when in manual mode. According to The Drive, an engineer noted that six gears were sufficient to deliver the desired character. The seventh and eighth gears are reserved exclusively for automatic operation during high-speed touring.

Pricing and the Tailor Made program

Photo: Road & Track

Ferrari has not officially announced the pricing for the Manuale. However, Motor1 notes that the standard 12Cilindri already starts at approximately $423,000, suggesting the limited-edition Manuale will carry a significant premium. Every one of the 1,499 units will be available through the Tailor Made personalization program, allowing buyers to customize the vehicle’s specifications.

The shift from mechanical to electronic sympathy

The Manuale represents a philosophical compromise between modern performance and vintage engagement. By removing the steering wheel paddles—which The Drive describes as being “untrue” to the concept—Ferrari is attempting to restore the “gesture” of driving. The system allows for behaviors a standard DCT typically prohibits, such as coasting in neutral or “dumping” the clutch after building high revs. “If you can do something with a manual gearbox, we want to make it possible to do the same thing here,” Valentin Marguet, Ferrari engineer, via Road & Track However, this freedom has a digital ceiling. The software acts as a safeguard; the Manuale will not permit any driver input that would cause physical damage to the drivetrain, marking a clear distinction between this by-wire system and the raw, unprotected nature of a true mechanical gearbox.