Shortly after presenting its first electric vehicle, the Luce model, Ferrari has unveiled the new 12Cilindri Manuale. This special edition aims to recapture the experience of a manual gearbox, although it does not use a conventional transmission of that type. This initiative represents the Italian manufacturer's strategy to appeal to the nostalgia of enthusiasts, immediately following the mixed reception of its battery-powered model.
How the Manuale by Wire system works
The 12Cilindri Manuale retains the eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox of the original 12Cilindri but incorporates a clutch pedal and a classic 'H' design lever. This system, called Manuale by Wire, operates by electronically interpreting the driver's commands, without any direct mechanical connection between the lever and the transmission.
Manual mode and driving characteristics
By engaging the clutch pedal, the driver activates manual mode, which utilizes the first six gears of the transmission. Reverse gear is integrated into the 'H' pattern, while the seventh and eighth gears can only be accessed in automatic mode, which can be reactivated via a button on the dashboard, proving useful on highways. Notably, this is the first Ferrari with a dual-clutch system that lacks shift paddles behind the steering wheel.

