Ferrari has released a special version of its 12Cilindri Manuale supercar with a gear lever in the classic H-shaped format, but the car does not have a real manual gearbox, Autocar reports.

Engineers have retained the eight-speed dual-clutch robotic transmission, adding an electronic system that simulates the work of a traditional “mechanics”. The Ferrari 12Cilindri Manuale costs £508,000 (about €580,000), and the release is limited to 1,499 units.

The car differs from the standard version; in particular, by five-spoke wheels in the style of Group A racing cars. The developers have tried to return the driver to the feeling of driving a classic car with three pedals and a gear lever. When pressing the clutch pedal, an H-shaped gear pattern lights up on the lever handle in orange, if the car’s speed does not exceed 72 km/h.

After that, the driver can independently select the gears. To return to automatic mode, it is enough to press the D button on the center console. At the same time, the lever is not mechanically connected to the transmission.

The movements are recorded by sensors that transmit electronic signals to the gearbox control system. A special mechanism with springs and rollers simulates the resistance of the lever and the characteristic feeling when engaging the gear. Electromagnetic blocking also prevents such gears that can lead to excessively high engine speeds.

According to the Autocar observer, in the first minutes of driving, the electronic system may seem too smooth and lack the characteristics distinctive of real mechanics. But after warming up and starting to actively drive, the gears become more convincing, and the metallic click of the lever enhances the feeling of driving a classic Ferrari.

Also, the preservation of the robotic gearbox is of fundamental importance for the car. It is connected to the electronic differential, torque distribution system, and ABS, which ensure controllability and enable the driver to control the car's behavior in turns.

According to Ferrari's test chief Raffaele de Simone, abandoning this transmission would change the character of the 12Cilindri so much that the car would no longer be a recognizable representative of the model.

The Ferrari 12Cilindri Manuale has a 6.5-liter V12 engine with a capacity of 819 horsepower. At the same time, the company is considering the possibility of applying similar technology to its hybrid cars.

The new version has become an attempt to combine modern electronic systems and traditional driving sensations, at a time when automakers are increasingly abandoning manual transmissions.