Did you know that Ferrari has just revived the manual gearbox on their 12Cilindri car to satisfy purists demanding an analog driving experience.
However, instead of a traditional mechanical linkage, the car uses a “Manuale by-wire” system. This digital setup electronically simulates the resistance, feel, and the ability to stall, while the car mechanically operates as an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic.
In case you were wondering, the Ferrari 12Cilindri’s engine is the latest development of the iconic V12 that laid the foundations for the Maranello legend, in this version unleashing 830 cv and with maximum revs rising to a heady 9500 rpm. The impressive power curve ensures 80% of total torque is already available at just 2500 rpm, resulting in instantaneous pick-up for maximum accelerator response and a feeling of never-ending power all the way to the red line.
According to Ferrari, the traditional manual gear shift was discounted primarily because the modern dual-clutch transmissions (DCT) offered superior performance that a human cannot match. It was the lightning-fast paddle-shifted dual-clutch gearbox that wealthy and sometimes lazy owners really wanted in their Italian exotic cars.
Also, it was a well known fact that traditional Ferrari manual transmissions were an acquired taste. They offered a raw, mechanical feel but could be challenging to drive. The iconic gated shifters demand deliberate movements and could be stiff, especially when the transmission fluid is cold, while the heavy clutches required deliberate effort in traffic.
Additionally, consumer demand shifted heavily toward automated gearboxes, rendering manual options economically unviable due to high engineering and testing costs.
The automaker officially retired the manual gearbox in 2012. The final models were the front-engine Ferrari California and the V12 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano.
Incidentally, Ferrari transitioned its lineup to prioritise DCTs, with the Ferrari 458 Italia in 2009 being exclusively available with the technology.
Death Of The Manual Box Was Because …….
Former Ferrari technology boss Michael Leiters stated that no manual transmission could ever beat the shift speeds and lap times of their Dual-Clutch.
By the early 2010s, practically no buyers were ordering manual Ferraris, forcing the manufacturer to streamline manufacturing.
Developing, testing, and calibrating manual transmissions exclusively for a shrinking niche became economically impractical.
