Ferrari 12Cilindri Could Bring Back The Manual, But Only For Its Best Customers

Many of the things that we car fanatics associate with Ferrari are either long gone or on their last legs. Elegance and exoticism are fading with the introduction of the Luce EV, manual transmissions are nowhere in the lineup, and only the 12Cilindri still has a V12 engine. It's also the only naturally aspirated product in Ferrari's range, but if a new report from The Supercar Blog is accurate, Maranello's finest will be introducing a new free-breathing V12-powered offering with a manual gearbox, albeit as a new variant of the 12Cilindri. According to the publication, this will be unveiled as soon as July, but there's bad news.

Manual Ferrari 12Cilindri May Be a Limited Edition

TSB says that the manual-equipped 12Cilindri will be a limited edition offered only to Ferrari's best customers, so you won't be able to walk into a Ferrari dealer, drop a few hundred thousand dollars, and expect to get a three-pedal Fezza. In other words, if you don't already own several classic and contemporary Ferraris, you won't even be considered. The report goes on to claim that the special edition will be no different in terms of output, with the 6.5-liter V12 still pushing out 819 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque through a gated manual transmission, and if true, it will be nice to see that those who change gears manually won't lose much in the way of performance, though the 8-speed dual-clutch will surely be a little quicker.

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The publication's sources say the manual 12Cilindri will be shown to customers during the annual Ferrari Cavalcade, which this year takes place on June 29, 2026. A worldwide reveal is expected a few days later in July, and if recent Ferrari trademark filings are any indication, it won't be the only special variant of the V12 grand tourer, with a 12Cilindri GTO possibly happening. Of course, the 12Cilindri GTO and the 12Cilindri manual may be one and the same, but we doubt it.

Ferrari's Stance on Manuals Is Not Unified

It's unclear how Ferrari truly feels about the manual transmission. On one hand, a new patent for a digitized clutch pedal indicates that there's interest in and demand for a three-pedal setup from Ferrari faithful, but on the other, some execs are downright snobbish about the concept of revisiting what is arguably an archaic form of engaging with a car. Case in point, Enrico Galliera, Ferrari's chief marketing and commercial officer, told Evo at the launch of the Amalfi that those who want a manual Ferrari should look to the brand's classic cars. Then again, Gianmaria Fulgenzi, Ferrari’s Chief Product Development Officer, said in April last year that manuals could happen "probably as an Icona car," or highly limited edition. That fits with what we're seeing now about a 12Cilindri manual, so things are looking up. We'll just have to wait until late next month or early July to see just what Ferrari is actually willing to provide.

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