Just a few weeks ago, Ferrari ushered in a new era for his story with the Ferrari Luce, its first all-electric car. A strategic, highly anticipated model, but one that has also divided some enthusiasts. Yet in Maranello, attention already seems to be turning to another new model. A Ferrari that could very well make people forget about the electric sedan as soon as it’s unveiled. According to several corroborating sources, July 4 could mark the return of a symbol that was thought to be gone for good: the Ferrari V12 with a manual transmission.
A Ferrari for purists
For several months now, rumors have been swirling about a very special Ferrari 12Cilindri. Unlike the Ferrari Luce, which was designed to attract a new customer base to the brand, this new model is said to be aimed at collectors and enthusiasts who are most passionate about Ferrari’s history. The latest reports now suggest two distinct projects. On one hand, a highly exclusive Ferrari 12Cilindri as part of the Icona lineup, equipped with a modern manual transmission. On the other, a radical F167VS version—a potential successor to the 812 Competizione—which could take on the GTO designation. The former is the model set to be unveiled in a few days.
A Tribute to the Ferrari 275?
The model, sometimes referred to by the code name F167MM, is said to pay homage to the legendary Ferrari 275. It may not be a coincidence that Ferrari recently brought it back into the spotlight Horacio Pagani's 275 on its social media… Visually, this new Ferrari would be based on the current 12Cilindri, with a few styling changes inspired by the GTs of the 1960s. The goal would not be to offer more power, but more excitement. The naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12 would retain its 830 ch and its ability to rev up to 9,500 rpm. The real revolution would lie elsewhere.
The Return of the H-Shaped Grid
Ferrari reportedly did not develop a traditional manual transmission. Rumors suggest instead a technology inspired by the system used by Koenigsegg on the CC850. The driver would have a true H-pattern shifter and a clutch pedal, while the electronics would manage the entire system. The transmission could thus offer a six-speed manual mode and a nine-speed automatic mode, providing the best of both worlds. Ferrari has also filed a patent for an electronic clutch pedal capable of faithfully replicating the feel of a mechanical clutch. All signs therefore seem to point to this solution.
The first Ferrari with a manual transmission since 2012
If this report is confirmed, it will be the first three-pedal Ferrari since 2012. The 599 GTB Fiorano remains the last V12 Ferrari offered with a manual transmission, with only about 30 units produced. Before it, the F430, 612 Scaglietti, and the extremely rare manual-transmission California models had already seen their values skyrocket among collectors.
At a time when the Luce is ushering in Ferrari’s electric era, this new V12 with a manual transmission could symbolize exactly the opposite: the return of mechanical sensations, the metal gearshift, and the joy of driving. It’s a way for Maranello to remind us that, as it steps into the future, the brand may not have forgotten its past.
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