Ferrari 12Cilindri Manuale Revealed With V12 Power & Manual-Style Gearshift

Ferrari has revealed the new 12Cilindri Manuale, a limited-edition special series of the Ferrari 12Cilindri. It brings back the emotion of a manual Ferrari, but not in the old-school way many purists may expect.

Instead of a traditional mechanical manual gearbox, Ferrari has developed a new Manuale By-Wire system in-house. It gives the driver a gear lever, a clutch pedal, and a three-pedal layout, while still using Ferrari’s 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. In simple terms, it is a modern electronic system designed to feel like a classic manual.

Only 1,499 units of the Ferrari 12Cilindri Manuale will be built. Ferrari says the number is a reference to the displacement of its first 12-cylinder engine from 1947, linking the new model to the brand’s earliest V12 history.

What Is The Ferrari 12Cilindri Manuale?

The Ferrari 12Cilindri Manuale is based on the standard 12Cilindri, Ferrari’s front-engined V12 grand tourer. It keeps the same naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12 engine, producing 830cv and revving up to 9,500rpm.

Key figures include:

• Engine: 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12
• Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch with Manuale By-Wire control
• Power: 819hp
• Torque: 678Nm
• 0 to 100km/h: 2.9 seconds
• 0 to 200km/h: Under 7.9 seconds
• Top speed: Over 340km/h
• Dry weight: 1,565kg
• Weight distribution: 48.4 percent front, 51.6 percent rear
• Fuel tank capacity: 92 litres
• Boot capacity: 270 litres

Manual, But Not Quite In The Traditional Sense

The most interesting part of the car is its Manuale By-Wire system. Ferrari has created a physical gear lever and clutch pedal, but the inputs are converted into electronic signals. These signals are then sent to the dual-clutch gearbox.

The driver can use manual mode for the first six gears and reverse. Automatic mode is also available, which means the car can still behave like a modern Ferrari when the driver wants comfort.

This makes the 12Cilindri Manuale a very unusual car. It is not a pure mechanical manual like Ferrari’s older gated-shift models. At the same time, it is not just a normal automatic with paddles. Ferrari has removed the steering wheel paddles to make the gear lever and clutch pedal the centre of the driving experience.

Designed To Feel Real

Ferrari has put a lot of work into making the system feel physical. The gear lever uses sensors, kinematic mechanisms, and mechanical load feedback to recreate the feeling of selecting and engaging gears.

The clutch pedal has also been specially developed. It uses a by-wire system, but Ferrari says it has been tuned to behave like a traditional manual clutch. If the driver gets the timing right, gear changes are smooth. If the timing is wrong, the car can jerk or even stall, just like a real manual car.

That detail matters because it shows Ferrari is not trying to make the process too easy. The point of this model is to make the driver think, feel, and interact more with the car.

Classic Ferrari Inspiration

The 12Cilindri Manuale also carries several design touches inspired by Ferrari’s past. The cabin gets a redesigned centre tunnel, a round aluminium gear knob, a six-speed-style shift gate, and a three-pedal layout.

The gear gate is one of the most emotional details. Ferrari’s old metal gated shifters are a major part of the brand’s collector appeal, and this new car brings back that visual drama in a modern way.

On the outside, the car gets a laser-etched logo on the side badge, pinstripe details on the front splitter and rear wings, specially designed five-spoke forged wheels, and aluminium door sills with the car’s logo. Ferrari says the pinstripe finish pays tribute to the 365 GTB4.

Tailor Made Personalisation

The 12Cilindri Manuale will also be offered with a dedicated Tailor Made specification. Buyers can choose from 25 Ferrari colours, including Rosso Rubino, Argento Nürburgring, Nero Daytona, Rosso Dino, Blu Pozzi, Bianco Mille Miglia, and Viola Hong Kong.

The cabin can be finished with dedicated leather and Alcantara materials. The seats are available in Comfort and Racing versions, with six vertical grooves that again refer to the six-gear layout.

For collectors in markets like the UAE, this level of personalisation will be a major part of the appeal. Limited-run V12 Ferraris already have strong collector interest, and a model that brings back manual-style interaction is likely to attract serious attention.

Ferrari’s V12 Legacy Continues

The 12Cilindri itself is Ferrari’s modern interpretation of the classic front-engined V12 grand tourer. It follows a long line of cars built around elegance, long-distance comfort, and huge naturally aspirated performance.

In a world where many performance cars are moving towards hybrid powertrains, electric assistance, or full electrification, Ferrari’s continued use of a naturally aspirated V12 feels important. The Manuale version adds another emotional layer by making the driver more involved in the process.

Editor’s Take

In the world of electrification, chasing top speeds, longer range, slippery aero and hyperspace construction, Ferrari decided to look the other side, and created the 12Cilindri Manuale. 

Ferrari has used modern tech to recreate an old-school driving ritual, giving collectors and purists a V12 grand tourer that feels more emotional, involved, and memorable.

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