The 599 GTB Fiorano was the last V12 Ferrari to be fitted with a manual gearbox until the 12Cilindri Manuale came along. There’s good reason why it took Ferrari two decades to bring back the manual, and they could be trying to prove a point with the latest model.
The 12Cilindri Manuale provides the engaging driving experience that enthusiasts have been yearning for, but it’s not exactly a proper mechanical manual transmission. It is a similar man-machine interface, albeit via sensors and electronics.
Chris Harris recently got to experience Ferrari’s trick manual gearbox firsthand at the Fiorano circuit. According to him, driving a manual Ferrari with over 800 hp is just too overwhelming. That’s exactly why Maranello had been reluctant to offer manuals in their cars, thus proving their point.
The good thing about the 12Cilindri Manuale, though, is that you don’t have to drive it in manual mode. The new electronic solution offers this flexibility. For those who want the purest experience, the car allows the driver to use heel and toe while shifting, but it will also automatically rev-match if required.
The car is powered by a 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 engine that makes 819 hp and 500 lb-ft. If you get it right, the 12Cilindri Manuale will do 0-62 mph in 2.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 211 mph.
