Just when it seemed the manual gearbox had become a thing of Ferrari’s past, the Prancing Horse has pulled off a surprise. Meet the Ferrari 12Cilindri Manuale, a limited-edition version of the V12 grand tourer that brings back the joy of shifting gears yourself—but with a thoroughly modern twist.

At the heart of the car is Ferrari’s new Manuale By-Wire system, which combines a manual gear lever and a redesigned clutch pedal with the brand’s eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. Instead of simply recreating an old-school manual gearbox, Ferrari developed a system that preserves the tactile feel of rowing through the gears while using modern electronics to deliver precise, consistent shifts. Ferrari engineered the system to recreate the tactile feel and resistance of a traditional gated manual shifter, despite the electronics working behind the scenes.

The setup includes a new gear lever, a dedicated control panel, and a clutch-by-wire pedal that translates the driver’s inputs into seamless communication with the transmission. Drivers can choose between a six-speed manual mode or let the gearbox handle everything in automatic mode. Ferrari even removed the steering-wheel shift paddles, putting the spotlight back on the gear lever and the clutch for a more involving drive. The naturally aspirated V12, meanwhile, still revs all the way to 9,500rpm.

Visually, the 12Cilindri Manuale remains every bit a Ferrari. Subtle pinstripes on the front splitter and the rear wings pay tribute to the legendary 365 GTB4, while exclusive five-spoke forged wheels and a unique Scudetto finish distinguish this special edition from the standard model.

The cabin is Ferrari’s modern interpretation of its classic manual-transmission cars. The center tunnel, the iconic open-style shift gate, the round aluminum gear knob, and the three-pedal layout recall the brand’s legendary manual cars, but are seamlessly integrated into a contemporary interior complete with illuminated gear indicators and modern controls.

Only 1,499 examples of the 12Cilindri Manuale will be built—a number that pays tribute to the 1,499cc displacement of Ferrari’s first V12 engine, which made its debut in the 125 S in 1947. It’s a fitting tribute to the marque’s heritage, connecting the brand’s earliest days of 12-cylinder performance with a modern grand tourer created for those who still value a more physical driving experience.