Following Ferrari's lead, Maserati is reportedly also developing an exclusive supercar with a manual transmission, and the solution could come from Alfa Romeo

For several years, it was thought that manual transmissions were a thing of the past for prestigious Italian automakers. The efficiency of dual-clutch transmissions, ever-increasing performance, and the gradual shift toward electrification seemed to have sealed the fate of the three-pedal setup. But a shift in trend appears to be taking shape. Following the spectacular return of Ferrari with the 12Cilindri Manual, Maserati might well follow the same path.

The Trident brand hasn't officially announced anything yet, but statements made by its executives in recent weeks clearly show that a modern Maserati with a manual transmission is no longer just a fantasy. It could even become a reality in the coming years, in the form of a highly exclusive supercar.

The demand comes from Maserati's top customers

It was Cristiano Fiorio, head of Maserati’s BottegaFuoriserie division, who paved the way for this scenario. This division, shared with Alfa Romeo, is responsible for developing ultra-exclusive models, such as the’Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale or the Maserati MCXtrema. Cars produced in very small batches, intended for collectors seeking unique experiences.

And in fact, these customers aren’t just asking for more power or more technology. According to Cristiano Fiorio, about 50 % of BottegaFuoriserie’s customers are asking for two very specific things: an internal combustion engine and a manual transmission. They’re enthusiasts who want to reconnect with their cars on a more direct level. «I think we’ll need to include a manual transmission in our lineup for a Bottega model,» he explained.

A V6 Nettuno and three pedals?

This future Maserati could take a very different direction from modern sports cars. No complex hybrid systems, no relentless pursuit of lap times—just a car designed around driving sensations. Davide Danesin, Maserati’s head of engineering, has also acknowledged that a manual transmission would make perfect sense in a car with a more mechanical approach.

«Why not make a special version with a manual transmission? That could be the right choice for a limited edition,» he explained. At the heart of the project could be the Nettuno V6, the in-house engine first introduced in the MC20 and now used in the MCPura, the Grecale, and the GranTurismo. This 3.0-liter twin-turbo engine is considered by Maserati as one of the best V6 engines available today, capable of producing over 600 ch in its street-legal versions and even more in competition.

Alfa Romeo may already have part of the solution

Of course, one big question remains: which transmission to use? Developing an entirely new manual transmission for just a few dozen units would be very costly. But Maserati might have a solution much closer at hand than one might imagine: Alfa Romeo. The Giulia Quadrifoglio was previously available with a true six-speed manual transmission during its first years on the European market, in 2016 and 2017. This transmission was paired with the Alfa Romeo-sourced 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6—an engine that shares part of its technical history with Maserati’s Nettuno V6.

The Return of Maserati for Purists?

However, we shouldn’t imagine that a manual transmission will make a comeback across the entire Maserati lineup. Like Ferrari’s 12Cilindri Manual, this would be a model aimed at a very specific clientele, likely produced in a limited run and sold at a very high price. But symbolically, the message would be powerful. Maserati hasn’t offered a manual transmission for nearly twenty years, back in the days of the Coupé and Spyder equipped with the original Ferrari V8. Since then, the brand has undergone numerous transformations, culminating in the arrival of the Folgore electric models. A supercar with a chassis from Maserati MC20, a 630 ch Nettuno V6 engine and three pedals? Why not!