Ferrari is set to rekindle the excitement of manual driving after a 14-year break.

The new Ferrari 12Cilindri Manuale marks the brand’s first model equipped with a clutch pedal and the iconic open-gate ‘canceletto’ shifter since the Ferrari California, as well as the first manual V12 from Maranello since the 599 GTB.

Limited to just 1,499 units, the 12Cilindri Manuale is priced at €590,000 (around £508,000), representing a 50% premium over the standard 12Cilindri.

Outgoing Ferrari commercial director Enrico Galliera revealed that a manual gearbox has been the most frequently requested feature among Ferrari’s clientele in recent years.

Describing the Manuale as a car that “delivers both incredible performance and emotion,” Galliera explained that Ferrari waited until it could develop a system that was not only engaging but also innovative and “without compromise.”

The innovation lies in the most unconventional aspect of the Manuale: there is no physical linkage between the gear lever and the gearbox mounted on the rear axle. In fact, the car is officially homologated as an automatic.

While the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) from the standard 12Cilindri remains in place, it can now be operated electronically through inputs made via the clutch pedal and gear lever.

The brilliance of this system is that the clutch pedal’s position determines the engagement level of the clutch packs inside the gearbox. This allows the system to mimic everything from gentle clutch slipping during smooth getaways in the 819bhp 12Cilindri Manuale to aggressive clutch kicks for initiating slides.

It’s even possible to stall the engine, but the system won’t allow damaging mis-shifts—so accidentally engaging first gear instead of third won’t send components flying.

Project lead Valentin Marguet explained, “The DCT remains, but we have added a new layer of driver interaction to revive the legacy experience. Every input through your hand or foot is mechanically based. The electronics merely communicate with the car.”

This setup also allows the Manuale to operate in full automatic mode, which Ferrari expects many owners to use in heavy traffic conditions.

Because the manual system features only six gears to maintain the aesthetic of the open-gate design, the car switches to automatic mode to access seventh and eighth gears and to achieve its claimed 0-62mph time of 2.9 seconds via launch control.

However, the absence of paddle shifters means the focus is squarely on manual driving. Manual mode can be engaged at speeds below 60mph simply by pressing the clutch and selecting a gear.

The clutch pedal’s feel results from a complex mechanism of rollers, rockers, bearings, and a robust spring, all developed painstakingly to achieve the perfect pedal feedback. A separate linkage connects the pedal arm to a sensor that instantly transmits its position to the gearbox, ensuring precise clutch engagement.

As a result, smooth gear changes and perfectly matched downshifts are rewarded, while rough inputs will feel appropriately clumsy. Ferrari assures that the driver cannot damage the transmission system.

The entire mechanism weighs only 5kg. Certain components use gas-nitrided steel for durability and tight tolerances, while aluminium is used elsewhere to save weight.

The centre console has been redesigned, featuring minimalist buttons for automatic operation and an elegant floating aluminium gate. The ball-shaped gear knob displays the traditional shift pattern, illuminated in white or orange depending on the driving mode.

Development of the system began in 2022, with engineers using a simulator rig to perfect the pedal box ergonomics and the gearshift motion, largely inspired by the 599 GTB.

Each 12Cilindri Manuale will feature silver Scuderia shields, model-specific badging on the sides, and subtle Daytona-style pinstripes on the nose and active rear winglets.

Every unit will also be available through Ferrari’s Tailor Made program, offering exclusive paint finishes and bespoke interior materials.

Deliveries are scheduled to start in early 2027, with Galliera acknowledging that the Manuale is already effectively sold out.

How does it feel to use?

Only after driving the Manuale will it be clear whether Ferrari’s unique approach succeeds. For now, initial impressions come from exploring the controls in a static car.

The anodised gear knob, with its seamlessly integrated illuminated gate pattern, feels wonderfully tactile. The mechanical resistance and elasticity of the shift are convincing, with the weight varying naturally thanks to the underlying springs, rockers, and solenoid system.

Each shift is accompanied by a distinctive metallic ‘zing’, more pronounced than in previous manual V12 Ferraris. The shorter throw suits the 12Cilindri’s sharp throttle response and precise steering, ensuring a modern yet authentic driving feel.

In the footwell, the clutch action is lighter than in classic manual V12s but still demands around 10–15kg of force, providing a smooth and linear motion.

Ferrari engineers note that the system doesn’t simulate the fluctuating feel of warming fluids during cold starts, as incorporating that variable would have added unnecessary complexity and compromised consistency.