Ferrari 12Cilindri Manuale debuts with 6-speed manual gearbox and limited production

Ferrari has introduced the 12Cilindri Manuale, marking its first manual-gearbox-equipped car in fourteen years. The last Ferrari to feature a manual transmission was the California roadster. The 12Cilindri Manuale will see a limited production run of 1,499 units, each priced at €590,000 (Rs 6.42 crore).

Key Highlights

• Ferrari 12Cilindri Manuale is limited to 1,499 units at €590,000 each
• Features a 6.5-litre V12 engine with 830 HP and 678 Nm torque.
• Uses a manual by-wire system to simulate a 6-speed manual gearbox.
• 0-100 kph acceleration in 2.9 seconds with a top speed of 340 kph.

Design and Interior Styling

At first glance, the Manuale closely resembles the standard 12Cilindri. However, Ferrari has added distinct features to set it apart. These include Manuale badges on the front fenders and laser-etched Ferrari logos with a silver finish on the sides. The front splitter and rear winglets have a pinstripe design inspired by the 365 GTB4.

The Manuale comes with exclusive forged 5-spoke alloy wheels, available in four different finishes. Most of the exterior design elements from the 12Cilindri are retained, such as the headlights integrated into a blacked-out bonnet section, carbon fibre panels, a delta-wing roof motif, quad exhausts, active winglets, and a prominent diffuser. An optional livery pays tribute to the six-speed gearbox and is available in multiple colours.

The interior features a redesigned centre console to accommodate the manual gear lever, which is rounded and made of aluminium. Buyers can choose between a silver or black finish for the lever. The seats are available in comfort or racing trims, both featuring six vertical grooves as a nod to the Manuale’s identity. The triple-screen dashboard setup from the standard 12Cilindri remains unchanged.

Engine and Performance Details

The 12Cilindri Manuale uses the same 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 engine as the standard 12Cilindri. This engine produces 830 HP and 678 Nm of torque, with a maximum rev limit of 9,500 rpm. While the standard model uses an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, the Manuale features a 'Manuale By-Wire' control system.

This system allows the car to simulate a 6-speed manual gearbox, complete with a clutch pedal and gated shifter. The technology is similar to the Koenigsegg CC850’s Engage Shift System. There are no physical linkages or a traditional clutch or flywheel behind the engine. Instead, sensors interpret the driver’s shifter inputs and relay them to the dual-clutch transmission.

The Manuale can be driven like a traditional manual, allowing for clutch dumps, heel-and-toe downshifts, and even the possibility of stalling. For convenience, the driver can also switch the transmission to automatic mode, letting the DCT manage gear changes in traffic.

The 12Cilindri Manuale accelerates from 0 to 100 kph in a claimed 2.9 seconds, matching the standard 12Cilindri. Ferrari measures this time with launch control, which is only available in automatic mode. The car retains its 340kph top speed, thanks to the two extra gears in the DCT. In manual mode, the top speed would be lower due to the six-speed limitation.

Also Read: Ferrari Dealers Accept Orders at 30 Percent Reduced Prices Ahead of India-EU FTA

CarBike 360 Says

The Ferrari 12Cilindri Manuale stands as a tribute to driving purity, blending a naturally aspirated V12 with a rare manual-style gearbox in an era dominated by automation. With its limited production appeal and enthusiast-focused engineering, this model reinforces Ferrari’s commitment to emotion, heritage, and exclusivity, making it a future classic for collectors and purists alike.