‘Fake’ shifts, real thrill: Ferrari’s synthesised gearbox is still a driver’s dream

Recently I went to Maranello to get educated about tech that goes deep into the petrolhead psyche. Nothing too dystopian: Ferrari’s white-coats haven’t been holding up test tubes to a backbeat of sardonic laughter and thunder as they devise subliminals to make us love the Luce. But they do appear to have concocted a gearbox that can convince you it’s something it manifestly is not.

The 12Cilindri Manuale is the first V12 Ferrari with the famous open-gate gearlever and a full complement of pedals since the 599 GTB. Note the careful omission of the word ‘manual’. It costs an abject fortune – an entire 911 GT3 on top of the regular car – and naturally is sold out.