Ferrari Might Bring Back the Manual Gearbox

Ferrari is doing better than ever, with record sales last year and enough orders to keep busy through 2026. Its first EV is launching later this year, ideally widening the customer base further. How could the Prancing Horse lure in even more buyers? By bringing back the manual gearbox. It might just happen, according to Gianmaria Fulgenzi, the man in charge of development in Maranello.

Speaking with Australian magazine Carsales, Ferrari’s Chief Product Development Officer ruled out dusting off the gated shifter for a regular production model. Instead, a three-pedal setup would make more sense as a follow-up to exclusive cars like the Monza SP1/SP2 and Daytona SP3. These limited-run special editions are part of the “Icona” series positioned at the very top of the portfolio. They’ve all had automatic transmissions, but a new Icona model could buck the trend by adding a clutch pedal.

Fulgenzi added that wealthy buyers are already asking Ferrari to revive the manual gearbox, which was last seen over a decade ago. The gated shifter died when the 2012 California was retired. It’s not just existing customers who want the third pedal back. None other than Scuderia driver Lewis Hamilton is keen on seeing three pedals inside a car carrying the Prancing Horse. Ideally, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion wants a modernized F40, rebranded as F44, presumably as a nod to his racing number.

If a manual Icona gets the green light, Ferrari will have to limit the engine’s torque artificially. Otherwise, Fulgenzi mentioned that drivers would need a “very big leg” to use the heavy clutch. As a refresher, the Monza SP1/SP2 had 530 pound-feet on tap, whereas the Daytona SP3 offered a slightly slower 514 lb-ft. We’re certain one-percenters wouldn’t have an issue with less torque if that means they can row their own gears in a V-12 Ferrari instead of the usual dual-clutch automatic.

An SP4 with a manual transmission and a twelve-cylinder engine would easily cost millions. This is especially true when you factor in that Ferrari would have to develop a new gearbox for only a handful of cars and still make a nice profit. The Daytona SP3 had a sticker price of $2.2M and an auto, but that didn’t deter buyers from quickly grabbing all 599 cars planned for production. Another Icona series is likely not that far away, considering the SP3 came out about three and a half years ago.

If a Ferrari with a do-it-yourself gearbox is coming, we reckon it’ll skip electrification since that only complicates things. Additionally, purists would much rather have a pure ICE experience to go along with the gated shifter.