Image Credit: Ferrari.Ferrari has finally answered one of the biggest requests from enthusiasts, although not quite in the way many expected. The new 2027 Ferrari 12Cilindri Manuale introduces a gated shifter and clutch pedal back into a modern Ferrari, marking the first time the iconic open-gate gear lever has appeared in a production model from Maranello since the 599 GTB Fiorano ended production in 2012.There is one major twist. The 12Cilindri Manuale is not equipped with a conventional manual transmission. Instead, Ferrari has engineered an entirely new interface that allows the driver to control the existing eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox using a simulated clutch pedal and a beautifully machined gated shifter.It sounds unconventional, but Ferrari insists this is far more than a novelty. The company spent years developing software and hardware that recreate the mechanical feel, timing, and interaction of a traditional manual while preserving the performance and durability of its modern transmission.AdvertisementAdvertisementProduction will be limited to just 1,499 examples worldwide, making the 12Cilindri Manuale one of Ferrari's most exclusive modern grand tourers.A Manual Experience Without A Manual GearboxImage Credit: Ferrari.At the heart of the system is Ferrari's new "Manuale by Wire" technology. The clutch pedal isn't mechanically connected to the transmission, and neither is the gated shifter. Instead, both operate electronically, sending commands to the car's control systems.The clutch pedal has carefully tuned spring rates to mimic the resistance and engagement of a traditional clutch, while the polished metal shifter delivers the familiar click-clack sensation as it moves through the exposed aluminum gate. Ferrari even removed the steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles, leaving the gated lever as the only way to manually select gears.Manual mode uses the first six ratios of the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission in a classic H-pattern. Reverse sits to the far left, just as enthusiasts would expect, while seventh and eighth gears remain reserved for automatic operation.Ferrari Even Simulated The MistakesImage Credit: Ferrari.Ferrari didn't simply recreate the satisfying feel of rowing through gears, it also recreated many of the quirks that make driving a manual rewarding.AdvertisementAdvertisementDrivers can stall the naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12 if they release the clutch improperly from a stop. They can also rev the engine before dropping the clutch for an aggressive launch, just like a traditional manual sports car.The software does have limits, however. It won't allow a destructive "money shift" into a gear that would over-rev the engine, using electronic locks inside the shifter to block incompatible gear selections. Ferrari says the goal was to preserve the enjoyment of a manual while protecting the driveline from expensive mistakes.Familiar V12 Performance RemainsAside from the new shifting experience, the Manuale remains very close to the standard 12Cilindri coupe mechanically.Power still comes from Ferrari's naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12 producing 819 horsepower, while the dual-clutch transmission continues to handle gear changes beneath the new manual interface. Ferrari says acceleration remains virtually identical to the regular car if the driver executes perfect shifts.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Manuale adds only about 11 pounds over the standard model, an impressive figure considering the additional controls and hardware required for the system.Exclusive Design And Tailor-Made PersonalizationImage Credit: Ferrari.Exterior changes are intentionally subtle. Buyers receive a unique forged wheel design, discreet "Manuale" script etched into the front fender vents, and thin accent stripes on the front splitter and rear wing.Inside, the exposed aluminum shift gate immediately becomes the centerpiece of the cabin. It transforms the driving environment into something that recalls Ferrari's greatest manual-era cars while surrounding the driver with the company's latest technology.Every example will also be built through Ferrari's Tailor Made personalization program, allowing owners to extensively customize their cars beyond the standard options.Ferrari Listened To Its FansFerrari openly admits the 12Cilindri Manuale exists because customers never stopped asking for a manual transmission. Rather than developing an entirely new gearbox, engineers chose to recreate the experience using the company's existing dual-clutch architecture and an enormous amount of software development.AdvertisementAdvertisementWhether purists embrace the concept remains to be seen. There is no mechanical linkage between the driver's hands, feet, and the transmission, making it technically a simulation rather than a true manual.Still, for enthusiasts who have missed the iconic gated shifter and the involvement that comes with using three pedals, the 12Cilindri Manuale may be the closest Ferrari has come to reviving one of its most beloved driving experiences. With production capped at 1,499 units and an expected starting price of roughly $675,000, demand is likely to far exceed supply.If you want more stories like this, follow Guessing Headlights on Yahoo so you don't miss what's coming next.
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