Ferrari mulling gated manual

Ferrari hasn't ruled out reintroducing the gated manual transmission after a 13-year hiatus.

Ferrari’s chief product development boss, Gianmaria Fulgenzi, said: “We are reaching the limit of performance in our cars.

“In Formula 1, it’s 2.3 seconds for zero to 100km/h. With the SF90 XX we are at more or less 2.5 seconds or 2.4 seconds – and that’s with four-wheel drive,” Fulgenzi told media at a recent Ferrari round table event.

The Ferrari tech boss went on to suggest that when it comes to its rear-wheel-drive supercars, like the 610kW 296 GTB and 296 GTS, anything beyond 900bhp (671kW) is too much for modern tyres and chassis, and even for the latest driver aids.

Fulgenzi said the brand hasn’t ended its horsepower war with the likes of McLaren, Lamborghini or Bugatti, but that the gradient of power gains will be less pronounced over the next 10 years.

Then there’s the physical toll on owners themselves.

“For a normal driver you have to physically support yourself for this kind of acceleration and in terms of muscles and bones in your neck, it’s not easy for long [periods of] time,” he said, adding that drivers would require F1-style levels of training to endure the g-forces involved.

“I don’t think all our customers want to have to train every morning just to drive our cars.”

Fulgenzi said Ferrari is now prepared to consider the reintroduction of the manual transmission – but only on cars deemed appropriate.

“In terms of mechanical gearchanges, it’s something that could be in the future, depending on product,” he said.

Previously Ferrari has consistently ruled out manual transmissions as they detract from outright performance, but the Ferrari product boss said the firm could make an exception.

When asked for which cars the manual transmission could be revived, Fulgenzi replied: “Probably an Icona car, because it’s a car that represent our heritage, a car to be admired and to be driven in a certain way.”

Previous limited-run Icona cars that pay tribute to classic Ferraris of the past include the Ferrari Monza SP1 and SP2 and the Daytona SP3.

The senior Ferrari exec said that performance in the new Icona model – that could return the famous gated gear-selector – would be limited compared to its very fastest supercars or hypercars, because the highest levels of torque would require a ‘very big leg’ to manage the heavy clutch required.

Admitting that “customers are already asking for it”, the news that Ferrari will return to its roots and make manual-transmission cars again follows recent reports that newly installed Ferrari F1 works driver, Lewis Hamilton, wants to build a gated manual supercar inspired by the original F40.

Suggesting F44 badging, the LH Edition F44 is likely to follow the tried-and-tested Icona formula of blending original styling cues with the firm’s latest technology, which would suggest perhaps combining the carbon-fibre monocoque of the Daytona SP3 with a naturally aspirated V12, the all-important manual, and the car-maker’s latest active aerodynamics.

Fulgenzi didn’t provide any timeline for the new Icona model.

However, he did say that in the post-peak-performance age, “all engineering of the car must be enhanced in driving traits”, with Ferrari maximising fun and enjoyment behind the wheel to ensure owners want to use their car as much as possible.

The last car Ferarri produced with a manual transmission was the California back in 2012, with only three buyers reportedly choosing the DIY option out of a production run that exceeded 17,300 vehicles.

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