Ferrari has unveiled the 12Cilindri Manuale, a limited-production derivative of the 12Cilindri that introduces a newly developed by-wire manual control system aimed at recreating the experience of a traditional manual gearbox while retaining the underlying eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. Production will be capped at 1,499 units globally.
The model combines Ferrari's naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12 engine with what the company calls its Manuale by-wire system. Instead of a conventional manual transmission, the setup integrates a physical gear lever and clutch-by-wire pedal with the existing dual-clutch gearbox, allowing drivers to shift manually while also offering a fully automatic driving mode.
Ferrari says the system has been engineered in-house at Maranello and is designed to replicate the tactile feel and mechanical feedback associated with traditional manual gearboxes through electronically controlled hardware. The gear selector employs dedicated kinematic mechanisms to simulate shift resistance and engagement, while the clutch pedal digitally controls the transmission's clutch pack to recreate the load characteristics of a conventional clutch.
The cabin has also been redesigned to reflect the manual driving experience. It features a new centre console with an open-gate-inspired shift pattern, a round aluminium gear knob displaying the selected gear and driving mode, and a three-pedal layout. Ferrari has also removed the steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles, making the gear lever and clutch the primary interface for changing gears.
Power continues to come from Ferrari's naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12 engine producing 830hp at 9,250rpm and 678Nm of torque at 7,250rpm. The engine revs to 9,500rpm, while claimed performance figures include a 0-100kph time of 2.9 seconds and a top speed of over 340kph.
Ferrari says the Manuale by-wire system has been calibrated to reproduce familiar manual driving characteristics, including heel-and-toe downshifts and the possibility of stalling the engine if the clutch is not operated correctly. Drivers can also switch between manual and automatic modes depending on driving conditions.
The 12Cilindri Manuale will be offered exclusively through Ferrari's Tailor Made personalisation programme. Along with bespoke exterior finishes and interior trims, the special edition receives unique forged wheels, laser-etched badging, a revised front splitter and rear wing detailing inspired by the Ferrari 365 GTB4, and aluminium door sills bearing the model's logo.
The production run of 1,499 cars references the 1,499cc displacement of Ferrari's first V12 engine introduced in 1947, according to the company. Ferrari will also include its standard seven-year Genuine Maintenance programme with the model, covering scheduled servicing across its global dealer network.