2027 Ferrari 12Cilindri Manuale Perfects The Simulated Manual Gearbox

Ferrari is—sort of— offering a gated shifter for the first time since production of the manual-equipped 599 GTB Fiorano ended in 2012.

The 2027 Ferrari 12Cilindri Manuale features a physical clutch pedal and a traditional H-pattern gear selector. However, the system lacks any actual mechanical connection to the transmission, operating entirely as a digital simulation of a manual gearbox.

It's actually pretty smart.

The underlying hardware remains the same—rear-mounted, eight-speed dual-clutch transaxle—as found in the standard 12Cilindri. It gets a new electronic system Ferrari calls "Manuale by Wire." So when the driver depresses the clutch pedal, the car activates a specialized manual mode that utilizes the first six ratios of the DCT.

Mechanical actuators replicate the physical resistance of a traditional gearbox as the lever moves through the aluminum gates, producing the characteristic metal-on-metal sound of a classic Ferrari shifter. Instead of the variable resistance based on fluid temperature and synchro wear of the mechanical shift linkages of yore, the digital system delivers uniform resistance across all gears. This is literally the definition of simulacrum.

The clutch pedal features a precise position sensor designed to simulate natural engagement and release points. The electronic programming allows the 819-horsepower, 9,500-rpm V12 engine to be stalled if the driver fails to harmonize the clutch pedal and throttle appropriately.

The system also allows for high-rpm clutch dumps, and the car will post straight-line acceleration figures that match the standard dual-clutch model. To access the seventh and eighth highway cruising gears, the driver must press a dashboard button to return the transmission to fully auto—the Manuale lacks steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles.

Ferrari developed the technology in response to persistent demand from its collector base. The entire simulator assembly adds just 11 pounds to the vehicle's total curb weight. Production will be strictly limited to 1,499 units globally.

Pricing for the 12Cilindri Manuale starts at approximately 590,000 Euros, which translates to roughly $675,000 based on current exchange rates.

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