Ferrari has brought back the manual transmission, sort of.

The automaker revealed the 12Cilindri Manuale, a limited-edition version of the 12Cilindri grand tourer, that recreates the manual transmission experience – classic Ferrari gated stick shift et al – but also allows owners to drive the car in automatic mode.

Unlike the regular 12Cilindri which can be had in coupe or convertible versions, the Manuale model has only been revealed in coupe form.

Only 1,499 will be made.

How does the manual work?

The special edition car uses the same V12 engine, mounted up front, and eight-speed DCT gearbox of the 12Cilindri but adds two innovations to recreate the stick-shift operation.

These innovations include manual command and a new clutch pedal. Ferrari calls it Manuale By-Wire.

The system gives the car a clutch-by-wire pedal, which Ferrari said preserves the analogue feel, consistency and naturalness of a mechanical clutch.

Drivers can use the gated manual and clutch pedal to shift into the car’s first six gears as well as into reverse gear.

Ferrari said the system recreates the load-travel curve of mechanically linked gearboxes, so drivers who know what they’re doing will feel the satisfaction of a smooth, precise gear change, and those who don’t will feel the jerk of a poorly delivered gear change.

And yes, drivers can stall the car, Ferrari said.

But, when drivers who get tired of rowing their own gears, they can just switch the car to automatic mode and the car will pick up the work for them.

Powertrain

The front-engined two-seater is powered by a naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12 that revs up to 9,500 rpm.

The powertrain produces 818 hp (830 CV) and 500 lb.-ft. (678 Nm) of torque.

Performance specs

Ferrari provides the following performance numbers:

• Maximum speed – more than 340 km/h
• Zero to 100 km/h – 2.9 seconds
• Zero to 200 km/h – less than 7.9 seconds
• 100 to 0 km/h – 31.4 metres
• 200 to 0 km/h – 122.0 metres

Full model details are available on the Ferrari website.

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