A manual gearbox makes driving more engaging: Maranello’s gamble
Re-establishing a direct connection between driver and car: the debut of the 12 Cilindri Manuale, which brings together the best of the brand’s in-house engineering to date and is a special edition limited to 1,499 units.
It is called the 12 Cilindri Manuale and is a special edition produced in a run of 1,499 units, marking the debut of the by-wire manual gearbox system. The first deliveries are scheduled for the start of next year, with a list price starting at 590,000 euros. At the heart of this special series is the brand-new by-wire manual transmission system, developed by Ferrari’s engineers after four years of work. The last model from Maranello to be fitted with a manual gearbox was the Ferrari 599 GTB, but the desire among many enthusiasts to return to a more engaging driving experience prompted the manufacturer to take on a new challenge: to create a transmission capable of re-establishing a direct connection between driver and car without compromising the comfort of modern grand tourers.
Switch between modes with a single gesture
The result is a technologically advanced solution that combines the tactile feel of a six-speed manual gearbox with the versatility of Ferrari’s eight-speed DCT transmission. Using a dedicated control, the driver can switch between the two modes, choosing between maximum driving engagement and greater comfort for everyday use.
The system’s architecture comprises a traditional gear lever, a pedal assembly with by-wire clutch control and a sophisticated electronic management system based on specially developed control units and software. The result is a fusion of mechanics and electronics that guarantees absolute precision, whilst preserving the natural feel of the operation and offering an unprecedented solution in the world of high-performance supercars.
Performance and power
