2027 Ferrari 12Cilindri Manuale With By-Wire Six-Speed Shifter Tested at Balocco Proving Ground

At the Balocco Proving Ground near Milan, Ferrari introduced the 2027 12Cilindri Manuale, its first manual-transmission car in nearly 15 years. Limited to 1,499 units—all already sold out—and carrying a base price of $670,000, the model pioneers Ferrari’s manual-by-wire technology. Instead of a conventional mechanical linkage, engineers built a simulated six-speed gated manual transmission with three pedals on top of an eight-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission, relying on servos and software to execute gear changes.

Before the track session on a test car finished in brushed aluminum with white wheels, Ferrari product marketing manager Jacopo Marcon warned that the 12Cilindri Manuale is a hard car to drive. Drivers can switch from manual to automatic at any time by pressing the D button on the center console behind the shifter, which turns the shift knob indicator light white. Returning from automatic to manual requires driving below 43 mph, moving the lever into the desired gear, and pressing and releasing the clutch pedal; a slim line appears on the tachometer to indicate target revs, and the indicator light turns amber once engaged.

On the track, starting from a stop proved straightforward, with a manageable clutch pedal that offered a clear bite point. As the naturally aspirated 6.5-liter DOHC 48-valve V-12 engine climbs toward its 9,500-rpm redline, sequential shift lights illuminate along the top of the carbon-fiber steering wheel. Each gear change produces a distinct metallic click through the open gate, though transitioning quickly from second to third gear takes practice to avoid catching the gate divider.

Despite its output of 819 hp (listed as 818 hp in the specification chart) and 500 lb-ft of torque, the front-engine, rear-wheel-drive two-seat coupe delivers its power in an approachable manner. Capable of exceeding 180 mph and achieving an estimated 0–60 mph time of 2.7 seconds, the 12Cilindri Manuale benefits from a 50:50 weight distribution and precise steering. Its estimated curb weight is 3,600 pounds, with a 106.3-inch wheelbase and dimensions of 186.3 inches in length, 85.6 inches in width, and 50.9 inches in height.

Even with software managing the actual shifts, the system replicates traditional manual behaviors. Failing to depress the clutch pedal fully prevents the lever from slotting into the next gate, shifting without lifting off the throttle causes the engine to rev freely as if in neutral, and improper clutch modulation at low speed will make the car shudder and stall. The only minor drawback is that gear changes can feel almost too smooth compared to a purely mechanical setup, omitting the harsh lurches of a mistimed shift—though this refinement makes the high-output V-12 much easier to manage on track ahead of its Winter 2026 market launch.