The manual transmission is dwindling in popularity as modern automatic gearboxes offer quicker acceleration, better emissions, and improved fuel economy. However, a few automakers still understand the thrill of pressing a clutch and changing cogs whenever the driver wants. From the Ford Mustang to the Mazda Miata, there are still a handful of performance models that still offer a three-pedal layout.
Ferrari now sees that there are still enough customers who want a manual for the company to consider introducing a new product with this gearbox layout. The setup might reduce the overall performance figures but create a more engaging driving experience.
A Manual Gearbox Revival
The statements about the manual transmission’s return came from Ferrari Product Development Chief Gianmaria Fulgenzi during a media roundtable. The company still sees a market for these vehicles but possibly only for limited-run models. Fulgenzi believes there’s room for a model that might be slower but would be more dynamic for the company’s wealthy customers.
“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,” he said during a media roundtable, according to Carsales.
He sees an opportunity to reintroduce manual transmissions for specific models. “Probably 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,” he said during the event. So far, Ferrari’s Icona models have been limited-edition vehicles for some of the company’s most exclusive clients. They’ve included the SP1 and SP2 Monza, in addition to the SP3 Daytona.
Fulgenzi even admitted that some customers are asking for new vehicles with manual gearboxes. It’s a way to make the driver more engaged with the model’s powertrain by directly controlling when shifts happen. Plus, the excitement makes owners want to enjoy their cars more often.
Ferrari Gearboxes
Ferrari didn’t offer an automatic gearbox widely until the 400i in the late 1970s. The unit in that model came from General Motors. It also had semi-automatic F1 boxes in the 1990s models such as the F355 and 360. The company eventually saw performance improvements by doing away with a three-pedal setup for the driver.
TopSpeed’s Take
There is still a group of enthusiasts who want performance vehicles with a manual gearbox option. The generally older buyers of high-end products from Porsche, Ferrari, or other brands have a particular passion for models they can shift by themselves. It was only a matter of time before the Italian automaker began catering to this group of potential customers.
Read the full article here
