After more than a decade in the shadows, Ferrari’s famed gated manual shifter could soon make a roaring return — but only for the brand’s most exclusive offerings.
In a recent interview with Carsales Australia, Gianmaria Fulgenzi, Ferrari’s Chief Product Development Officer, revealed that the automaker is seriously evaluating a manual gearbox revival for its ultra-limited Icona series models. The decision would mark a stunning turnaround for the brand, which phased out manual transmissions in 2012 in favor of dual-clutch units aimed at maximizing track-ready performance.
“We are reaching the limit of performance in our cars,” Fulgenzi explained. “But for a normal driver, this kind of performance is physically difficult to handle for extended periods. I don’t think all our customers want to train like an F1 driver just to enjoy a weekend drive.”
The return of a manual transmission — particularly a gated shifter, a hallmark of Ferrari heritage — would offer an antidote to today’s overwhelming horsepower wars and technology-laden supercars. Instead of chasing tenths of a second, Fulgenzi hinted Ferrari may shift its focus for select models toward emotional engagement and mechanical purity.
The manual won’t be returning to mainstream production models, however. Ferrari’s next gated setup is likely to debut in a future Icona vehicle — the marque’s ultra-exclusive line that has so far included the Monza SP1/SP2 and the Daytona SP3. Fulgenzi noted that Ferrari would likely need to detune engines to make them viable for manual operation, quipping that anything stronger would “require a very big leg” for the clutch.
Fan and customer demand is growing, with even Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari’s newest F1 star, reportedly supporting the return of a retro-inspired, three-pedal model — potentially an “F44” in homage to his race number.
Whether the next Icona car becomes that dream machine remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Ferrari isn’t done with the manual yet.
Shawn Henry