Ferrari to Manual Gearbox Fans: Just Buy Used

Ferrari had its reasons for abandoning manual gearboxes after the 2012 California. Only two or three convertibles were ever sold with a stick shift, but the low take rate wasn’t the only factor behind the gated shifter’s demise. Back in 2016, former tech boss Michael Leiters explained there’s no manual gearbox capable of outperforming a dual-clutch automatic. Nevertheless, enthusiasts continue to request a manual.

For those people, Ferrari offers a simple solution: buy a used car. When Evo magazine asked the company’s chief marketing and commercial officer if there were any plans to bring the manual back, Enrico Galliera gave a clear answer: “We already have it, in many of our classic cars.” His advice for anyone who wants to row their own gears? “Buy and restore our fantastic classics.”

“We have it [manual transmission], and we encourage clients to discover the beauty of driving a classic car,” Galliera added. “We offer Corsa Piloti programs with classic cars because many people don’t know how to drive a manual anymore. It’s an important experience that we can currently offer with our classics.”

Still, not all hope is lost. Ferrari hasn’t ruled out the possibility of reviving the manual for a select few. Earlier this year, chief product development officer Gianmaria Fulgenzi said a three-pedal setup could make sense for a high-end model in the Icona series, the same lineup that includes the automatic-only Monza SP1/SP2 and Daytona SP3. According to Fulgenzi, those who can afford multi-million-dollar Prancing Horses “are already asking for it.”

Although manuals are mostly gone from high-end sports cars, Porsche has enjoyed great success with 911 special editions fitted with a clutch pedal. Ferrari could justify the investment by charging a hefty premium, which its wealthiest clients would likely be willing to pay. A new model with a traditional shifter would also stand out as a rock-solid investment, given the rarity of such an occurrence.

But Ferrari’s reluctance to bring back the manual is understandable. The company already has a backlog of orders extending into 2027, following record sales last year. Furthermore, the increasingly advanced safety and driver-assist systems make manuals more expensive to develop. Emissions regulations also play a role, as modern automatics are generally more efficient than equivalent stick shifts. Even Ferrari has to meet fleet emission targets, where every gram counts, especially in Europe.

A final manual Ferrari with an eye-watering price tag to offset all these challenges? It’s a definite maybe. It all depends on how many are willing to plunk down a not-so-small fortune for what would likely be the last of the breed.