Ferrari hasn't built a car with a manual transmission since 2012, but that might not be the end of the story. According to the brand’s chief product development officer Gianmaria Fulgenzi, there’s a glimmer of hope for enthusiasts craving the tactile thrill of a stick-shift. While the core Ferrari lineup will remain committed to dual-clutch precision, the legendary Italian marque may reintroduce the manual gearbox through its ultra-luxurious, heritage-inspired Icona series.
Ferrari’s revival of the manual transmission, if it happens, won’t touch models like the 296 GTB or the new 12 Cilindri. Fulgenzi made it clear that performance cars in Ferrari’s regular lineup benefit more from the lightning-fast paddle shifters that modern drivers have grown used to. But there’s one segment where tradition might just make a comeback, the Icona line.
The Icona series, made up of limited-run vehicles like the Monza SP1, SP2, and Daytona SP3, draws direct inspiration from Ferrari’s past. With each priced at over $2 million and based on reinterpreted themes from classic Ferraris, these cars have become collector magnets and a serious revenue stream for Maranello. Fulgenzi hinted that this nostalgic product stream could be the perfect playground for a modern manual transmission to reappear, not for lap times, but for the sheer joy of driving.
And with Ferrari’s marketing chief confirming more Icona models are on the way, the door seems open for a modern homage to cars like the 250 GT SWB, perhaps with a satisfying gated shifter at its center.
Started my career in Automotive Journalism in 2015. Even though I'm a pharmacist, hanging around cars all the time has created a passion for the automotive industry since day 1.
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