Ferrari Might Reintroduce Gated Manual Transmission, But One Factor Could Disturb Purists | Carscoops

      The head of product development at Ferrari believes that the retro-themed Icona models would be an ideal opportunity to reintroduce the manual transmission that some customers are requesting.

      Ferrari is contemplating the addition of a clutch pedal to its vehicles after it has been absent for ten years. The manual option would only be available in the limited-edition, highly-priced Icona heritage models. According to the product development chief, engine torque would be restricted to ensure that the clutch is manageable.

      Ferrari has demonstrated with the designs of its new 12Cilindri and Icona models like the SP3 Daytona that it is open to bringing back classic design elements to ignite desire for its new cars. Now, it seems they may also reintroduce the gated manual transmission.

      It has been 13 years since Ferrari last provided a new model with a manual transmission. This choice was influenced by the fact that faster, more efficient paddle-shift systems aligned better with Ferrari's forward-focused F1 program, and the harsh reality that most customers preferred not to shift gears manually.

      However, Gianmaria Fulgenzi, the product development head, has acknowledged that some customers are actively advocating for a manual option, and Ferrari is surprisingly receptive to the idea.

      “In terms of mechanical gearchanges, it’s something that could be in the future, depending on the product,” Fulgenzi stated to the Australian site Car Sales. Unfortunately for Ferrari enthusiasts who are wealthy but not extraordinarily so, this “product” will not include standard models like the 299 or 12Cilindri.

      Fulgenzi mentioned that if the manual were to return, it would likely appear on an Icona vehicle, as it represents the brand's heritage and is designed to be admired and driven in a particular style.

      Lewis Hamilton, a current star in F1, is advocating for a manual Ferrari as well. Although the previous Icona models, such as the Monza SP1, SP2, and Daytona SP3, all featured F1 paddle-shift transmissions and were produced in very limited numbers, Hamilton is a proponent of a future Icona model incorporating a manual. He has proposed the idea of a modern homage to the F40, called the F44, referencing his racing number. The F40's successor, the F50, was the last special Ferrari with a manual transmission, while the final model equipped with a stick shift was a California produced in 2012.

      Fulgenzi cautioned that customers eager for a manual Ferrari must recognize that it would involve a trade-off in performance as well as cost. He explained to Car Sales that engine torque would need to be limited compared with a dual-clutch transmission’s output to make the clutch manageable, suggesting that drivers would need a "very big leg" otherwise.

      For context, the 12Cilindri’s 6.5-liter V12 generates a robust 500 lb-ft (678 Nm), yet the supercharged 6.2 V8 in a CTS-V surpasses that with a staggering 659 lb-ft (894 Nm), and Cadillac engineers managed to include a manual that doesn’t require extensive physical training to operate.

      If Ferrari decides to reintroduce the manual option on its limited-edition cars, they will join a trend already embraced by BMW, which offered the €750,000 ($821k) 2023 3.0 CSL with a stick shift, contrasting with the automatic transmission found in its M4 Competition model. For years, manufacturers have asked customers to pay more for automatic systems, and now they are presenting manual options at a lower cost.