Ferrari’s Future Plans
Ferrari has been on a roll of late, with a waiting list that extends until 2026. Despite this, the Italian carmaker has not stopped working on its very first electric car, which is slated for release later this year. However, there’s more to come, as industry-wide rumors have long suggested that Ferrari might have its sights set on bringing back the manual transmission in its cars, after a 13-year gap.
Bringing Back the Manual Transmission
This has now been confirmed, as the brand’s chief product development officer, Gianmaria Fulgenzi, stated that Ferrari is now ready to entertain ideas about bringing the gated manual gearbox back, but only for cars that are deemed suitable. One model that could be resurrected with a manual transmission would "probably be an Icona car, because it’s a car that represents our heritage, a car to be admired and to be driven in a certain way."
Icona Cars: A Possible Candidate
Icona cars, such as the Daytona SP3 and Monza SP1/SP2, are designed for emotional connection rather than performance specifications. In the past, Ferrari continuously disregarded manual gearboxes because they impair overall performance; nevertheless, it looks like the company may be open to making an exception. The performance of Icona cars with manual transmissions would be constrained in comparison to other Prancing Horse supercars and hypercars, because the maximum torque levels would necessitate a "very big leg" in order to handle the heavy clutch.
A Nod to the Past
The California, which was discontinued in 2012, was the last Ferrari to have a manual gearbox. Since then, the brand’s staple has been dual-clutch automatics, boosted by improvements in efficiency and performance. Nonetheless, those who still prefer a driving connection to pure acceleration continue to prefer the tactile feel of a traditional gearbox. Fulgenzi discovered that manual Ferraris are not just sought after by sentimental collectors, but also by prominent individuals like seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton.
The Future of Performance
Ferrari’s current crop of cars, such as the SF90 XX, can reach 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 2.4 seconds, which is extremely close to Formula One standards. Increasing performance may also prove needless and physically exhausting for regular drivers, as Fulgenzi stated. He did, however, state that "all engineering of the car must be enhanced in driving traits." In the post-peak-performance era, Ferrari emphasizes enjoyment behind the wheel to make sure customers are interested in driving their vehicle as much as possible.
Emphasis on Driving Connection
It’s safe to speculate that the great majority of Ferrari’s 13,000+ vehicles sold last year did not end up in the hands of fighter pilots or Formula One drivers. "I don’t think all of our customers want to have to train every morning just to drive our cars," noted Fulgenzi. So, the next 10 years for the Italian carmaker are going to be more about driving connections and feel over performance numbers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Ferrari is shifting its focus towards emphasizing enjoyment behind the wheel, rather than just performance numbers. With the possible return of manual transmissions and a focus on driving connections, the Italian carmaker is set to create a new era of cars that are not just fast, but also fun to drive. While there’s no official timeline for the new manual models, it’s clear that Ferrari is committed to creating cars that are driven by passion, rather than just performance.
