Ferrari is likely to unveil a limited-edition 12Cilindri, featuring a manual transmission, in a few weeks. According to the latest rumours, it won’t be a manual in the traditional sense, which is a bit of a bummer.
Instead of an old-school H-pattern manual, the Ferrari 12Cilindri MM could be offered with a Koenigsegg-style shift-by-wire transmission. Known as the Engage Shift System (ESS), this unit is essentially a 9-speed automatic, which can be operated like a 6-speed manual with a clutch pedal.
Ferrari has reportedly opted for a similar system that electronically simulates a manual gearbox for a more engaging driving experience.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that Ferrari plans to build around 500 examples of the 12Cilindri MM, and securing a slot won’t be easy unless you commit to purchasing one of their other models.
There’s an even hotter version of the 12Cilindri on the horizon. Dubbed the ‘GTO’, it is expected to be a lighter and sharper version of the front-engined V12 grand tourer.