Ferrari is reportedly preparing to revive the manual gearbox with a limited-edition version of the Ferrari 12Cilindri.
Ferrari and manual transmissions were inseparable for decades, but as performance technology evolved, the Italian marque gradually abandoned the traditional three-pedal setup in favour of ultra-fast paddle-shift gearboxes.
Now, reports suggest Ferrari could reverse course with a manual version of the 12Cilindri due for reveal in July 2026. The last Ferrari V12 to have a manual gearbox was the 2007 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano.
First manual V12 Ferrari in nearly two decades
According to Supercar Blog, Ferrari is planning to unveil a manual version of the Ferrari 12Cilindri to select clients during the upcoming Ferrari Cavalcade event on June 29, 2026.
A broader global reveal is expected to follow in July. If confirmed, it would mark one of the most significant enthusiast-focused decisions Ferrari has made in years.
If confirmed, the car would become the brand’s first production V12 with a manual gearbox since the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano in 2007.
Even then, manual versions were rare. Ferrari reportedly built just 30 examples of the 599 GTB Fiorano, making them some of the most collectible modern Ferraris today.
Ferrari also produced a very small number of manual versions of the Ferrari California before officially ending manual gearbox production in 2011.
Limited numbers and VIP-only access expected
The 12Cilindri manual is expected to be extremely limited in production. Reports suggest it will only be offered to Ferrari’s highest-tier clients, meaning access will likely be tightly controlled.
Ferrari 12Cilindri’s V12 to remain untouched
Ferrari reportedly won’t alter the heart of the car. The manual Ferrari 12Cilindri is expected to retain its glorious naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12, producing 610kW and 678Nm.
Ferrari is reportedly replacing the standard 8-speed dual-clutch automatic with a traditional gated manual gearbox. A return to the iconic gated manual layout would mark a major shift for the brand.
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Why this manual gearbox shift matters so much
Ferrari’s decision is significant because manual transmissions have almost completely disappeared from the exotic supercar segment. Other major brands have already walked away from manuals entirely.
Lamborghini ended manual production with the final Lamborghini Gallardo in 2013. Aston Martin dropped manual after the 2022 model year.
Porsche remains one of the few high-end performance brands still regularly offering manual gearboxes.
That makes Ferrari’s manual comeback especially noteworthy in today’s increasingly automated and electrified performance-car world.
About the Ferrari 12Cilindri
The 2-seat Grand Tourer, the Ferrari 12Cilindri, is already one of the brand’s most important modern cars. It was revealed in May 2024 and replaced the legendary Ferrari 812 Superfast and continues Ferrari’s long tradition of front-engined V12 grand tourers.
The car sits above the Ferrari Amalfi in Ferrari’s lineup. The 12Cilindri remains proudly committed to a naturally aspirated V12 layout while the Amalfi uses a twin-turbocharged V8, which is something becoming increasingly rare in performance cars.
Ferrari’s range is rapidly changing
The timing of the manual gearbox revival is especially interesting because Ferrari’s lineup is currently undergoing enormous transformation. The company has expanded beyond traditional supercars with the:
- Ferrari Purosangue SUV
- Newly revealed Ferrari Luce EV (brand’s first EV and five-seater)
The return of a gated manual gearbox almost feels like Ferrari throwing a lifeline to hardcore driving purists.
Why is the Ferrari’s manual return so significant?
A gated Ferrari manual gearbox represents something deeply emotional for many enthusiasts that modern high-tech performance cars have slowly lost. The appeal isn’t outright speed; instead, it’s about mechanical interaction, driver involvement, physical connection to the car, and the iconic metallic “click-clack” of a Ferrari gated shifter.
Bottom line
If Ferrari truly brings back the manual gearbox with the 12Cilindri, it could become one of the most celebrated enthusiast cars of the modern era. A naturally aspirated V12 Ferrari with a gated manual gearbox is the kind of analogue driving experience many believed had disappeared.
While the broader industry races toward EVs and automation, Ferrari appears ready to remind the world that emotion, engagement and old-school mechanical drama still matter, especially for its most passionate customers.
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