Ferrari 12Cilindri Manuale restores the ‘manual’ driving experience, limited to 1,499 units
Here is Ferrari’s answer to fans craving a manual-transmission supercar: the Ferrari 12Cilindri Manuale.
It sounds like Ferrari is trying to revive nostalgia since production of the last manual model (599 GTB) ended in 2012.
Core recipe remains the same
With the 12Cilindri Manuale, Ferrari keeps the basic formula of a Prancing Horse machine: a naturally aspirated V12 heart, a twin-clutch (DCT) gearbox, and rear-wheel drive (RWD).
The engine can still produce up to 819 hp and 678 Nm, enabling a 0-100 km/h time of 2.9 seconds.
However, the way the driver controls this machine is slightly different.
Unlike the existing 12Cilindri models, the 12Cilindri Manuale is equipped with hardware favored by true manual enthusiasts:
- gated shifter on the center console
- classic round aluminum knob
- three-pedal setup
The cabin layout has also been revised (including the center tunnel and ergonomic aspects) to make driving more exciting.
Manuale-by-Wire
The gear-shifting system in the 12Cilindri is called Manuale-by-Wire, and it does not have a direct mechanical link between the gear knob, clutch pedal, and the transmission.
Through this system, input from the clutch pedal and gear-knob position is transmitted electronically to the transmission control unit to change gears.
Imagine a sim rig used for virtual racing, but this time it’s more realistic.
The gear-shifting mechanism and the clutch pedal are designed to mimic the resistance experienced by a driver with a real manual system.
Just like a conventional manual car:
- if the clutch is released too early, the engine may jerk or cut out
- if the driver successfully executes precise gear changes, the drive will be smoother
It also includes a safety mechanism that prevents the driver from making disallowed gear changes (in other words: money shifts).
The manual driving mode (gears 1-6) can be used at speeds below 100 km/h, provided the clutch is pressed each time a gear is changed.
If the driver has had enough of manual driving, they can switch to automatic mode at any time.
To make the experience more authentic, the Ferrari 12Cilindri Manuale does not include paddle shifters behind the steering wheel.
The Ferrari 12Cilindri Manuale will be produced in a limited run of 1,499 units as a nod to Ferrari’s first 12-cylinder engine displacement produced in 1947.
Each 12Cilindri Manuale will be offered through the Tailor Made program.
This means each “manual” vehicle will have different fittings and specifications from one another.
In Europe, the 12Cilindri Manuale is priced from €590,000 (about RM2.7 million).
