It’s been years. A decade, actually.
Since 2012, no Ferrari rolled off the Maranello line with a real gated manual. Not really.
Enter the 2027 12Cilindri manuale.
Ferrari wants us to look away from the electric shock of the Luce, their first EV. PR people call this a diversionary tactic. We call it a mercy. The world was groaning. Then this showed up. Sort of.
There is no mechanical linkage to the engine.
Think of it as a simulation. A very convincing, gated shifter sitting atop an eight-speed dual-clutch auto. You get a clutch pedal, too. Press it below 62 mph and you’re in manual mode. You can row.
It mimics the tactility of the 599 GTB Fiorato, the last V-12 with a real stick.
But here is the thing: there is no cable. No shaft. No physical connection. It is all electricity. Ferrari calls it “Manuale by wire.” Your hand tells a computer what you want, and the gearbox listens.
The pattern? Classic H-shape.
First gear is left and up. Reverse sits further left. Sixth is the end of the manual run. Need seventh? Press the D button. No paddles in the Manuale version. Just the stick.
And the sound? Clink. Metal shaft hitting aluminum gate. Just like the old days. But unlike the old days, it’s perfect. Always perfect.
Remember those vintage manuals? The resistance changed based on oil temperature, which gear you were in, and how the assembler felt that Tuesday? Gone. This simulation has no mood swings. It is consistent.
Is it too clean?
Maybe.
The clutch pedal feels right, too. A sensor watches your foot, making the takeup natural. Don’t believe the hype? Ferrari says you can still stall the 819 horsepower V-12 if you are sloppy enough. Like a new 15-year-old with a permit. You can also dump the clutch at 9500 rpm, if that is your particular vice.
Get it right. Acceleration matches the automatic.
Get it wrong. You are slow. That is the fun.
Weight? Only 11 pounds heavier than the auto version.
Trying to launch from a stop in second gear? The Ferrari rep rolled his eyes. Take the hint. No.
Fans never stopped asking for this. Ferrari listened, built the code, and added the hardware you can touch.
They will build only 1499.
Start price? Around $675,00 USD. Roughly 590,00 Euro. Expect to wait. They won’t make many. Maybe buy an Luce, get on the list, and dream about a shift lever that isn’t there.
Who is really buying it?
Probably everyone.
