Ferrari 12Cilindri Manuale brings clutch back

FERRARI has detailed the by-wire manual system developed for its limited-edition 12Cilindri Manuale, which brings back a physical clutch pedal and gated shift lever to the marque’s front-engined, dual-clutch (DCT) V12 line – but does so without returning to a conventional mechanical manual transmission.

The 1499-unit special series debuts Ferrari’s in-house ‘manuale by-wire’ (MBW) system, which overlays a novel driver-command hardware and software combination atop the existing eight-speed DCT and unchanged 6.5L V12 engine used by the standard 12Cilindri coupe.

Ferrari says the system is intended to deliver the analogue engagement, rhythm and physicality associated with its past catalogue of manual sportscars while retaining the extremely rapid performance and usability associated with its modern DCT-equipped vehicles.

While the clutch pedal is by-wire, Ferrari has avoided a purely electronic feel. A position sensor reads the driver’s input and sends it to the gearbox control unit, which hydraulically actuates the DCT clutch pack and coordinates the engine and transmission during the shift.

Imperfect operation, ‘bunny-hopping’ and stalling all await drivers that are hasty with the ‘clutch’, and only smooth synchronisation will result in slick shifting.

The result is a new way to interface with the DCT, rather than a return to a mechanical manual. The 12Cilindri Manuale can be driven via the clutch and gated shifter through its first six forward ratios, and reverse, with its seventh and eighth gears only available in automatic mode.

Deliveries will begin abroad in the first quarter of 2027 in left-hand drive form, before other markets follow.

An undisclosed number of the run is understood to have been earmarked for key Australian clients, and these vehicles are likely to land in Q3 2027 at a price of about $1.2 million.

That pricing represents a similar circa-50 per cent premium over list pricing of the standard coupe as that seen in Italy, where the Manuale will cost €590,000 ($A973,000), noting that all examples of the Manuale will be fitted out via Ferrari’s bespoke ‘Tailor Made’ program.

With the Manuale, Ferrari believes it has found an acceptable mid-point between answering growing collector demands for a manual driving experience without re-engineering or diluting the underlying V12 powertrain.

Departing Ferrari chief marketing and commercial officer Enrico Galliera said during a roundtable interview that some customers had indicated they would have accepted a performance reduction to obtain a mechanical manual gearbox.

“Our clients were willing to compromise on performance to have the manual gearbox,” he said.

“What we are delivering is something that, honestly, is not compromise.”

The 12Cilindri Manuale retains the 610kW/678Nm V12 with a 9500rpm redline. Ferrari claims 0-100km/h in 2.9 seconds, 0-200km/h in less than 7.9 seconds, and a top speed beyond 340km/h.

Dry weight is listed at 1565kg in a configuration with optional content, with a 48.4:51.6 front-to-rear weight distribution, 270-litre boot capacity and 92L fuel tank.

Ferrari said the MBW architecture consists of the gear lever, a control panel, a redesigned pedal assembly with clutch-by-wire pedal, revised vehicle control software and updated gearbox and engine control software. The DCT’s basic operating logic remains unchanged.

The lever is a mechanical module weighing under 3.5kg. It uses sensors and kinematic mechanisms designed to reproduce the loads and feedback of Ferrari’s earlier manual gearboxes during selection, synchronisation, and engagement.

At the centre of the mechanism, and visible through the gate, is a rotating block made from solid machined high-strength steel. The gear selector is self-centring and returns to neutral via eccentric rollers, while a profiled rotating drum and preloaded mechanism build and release lever load during the shift.

Two Hall-effect angle sensors read the driver’s lever inputs, one for each axis, and a push-pull solenoid acts as a locking device. The system can mechanically inhibit an unauthorised selection or a shift attempted without the clutch pedal.

Ferrari has also developed the sound of the shift mechanism, including the audible clicks and pings, to reinforce the impression that a mechanical action is taking place rather than a simple electronic command.

A passive mechanical system using a preload spring, cam and roller recreates the load-travel curve of a traditional manual clutch pedal. Ferrari said the system tracks pedal movement throughout its travel and requires the driver to coordinate hand, foot and engine speed.

Correct timing produces a smooth shift, while poor synchronisation can create extra resistance, a jolt or even a stall, but the realism only goes so far. Software prevents destructive inputs, such as selecting an impossible gear at high speed.

“The mechanics generate the feeling, while the electronics ensure the precision, safety and also the repeatability,” said Ferrari chief product development officer Gianmaria Fulgenzi.

Global marketing director Emanuele Carando told GoAuto Ferrari could have built a less powerful 12Cilindri with a mechanical manual had it wanted to, but said this would not have reflected the company’s strategy.

“I think a company like Ferrari does not have to be nostalgic. A company like Ferrari has to pick up the desire of the clients, but then give something more,” he said.

Each of the 1499 units will be painted in one of 25 available heritage colours, while receiving unique forged wheels, a laser-etched side badge, exclusive Scudetto (Italian flag-coloured shield) treatment, aluminium door sills and pinstriping on the front splitter and rear wings inspired by the 365 GTB4.

Ferrari executives have not confirmed whether the MBW system will be used elsewhere, but Mr Galliera said the company is studying where the technology could best fit in other models.

2026 Ferrari 12Cilindri pricing*:

*Pricing excludes on-road costs.