Lamborghini will not revive the manual transmission despite Ferrari's recent decision to offer one on select models, according to Federico Foschini, the company's chief marketing and sales officer. The Italian supercar maker sees no demand among buyers for a clutch pedal in its portfolio.
Ferrari surprised the market last year by introducing a manual gearbox option on the 12Cilindri, capitalizing on nostalgia and collector appeal. That move generated significant buzz in an industry dominated by dual-clutch automatics and CVTs. Lamborghini, however, reads its customer base differently.
The brand's current lineup relies entirely on automated transmissions. The Revuelto hypercar uses a single-speed electric transmission, while the Revueltosports a conventional dual-clutch unit. These systems deliver the instant throttle response and performance numbers that define modern supercars. Manual gearboxes add weight, complexity, and slower shift times. For Lamborghini's target demographic, those tradeoffs don't compute.
Foschini did signal openness to expanding the Sterrato line, the brand's lifestyle off-road variant. The LM002 successor and the Huracan Sterrato proved there's a market for high-performance vehicles with rugged capability. More all-terrain models could follow, targeting buyers who want dramatic styling with practical versatility.
This decision reflects deeper industry divisions. Ferrari leans into heritage and manual appeal as brand storytelling. Lamborghini prioritizes technological prowess and electric transition. The 296 GTB and 12Cilindri manual represent Ferrari's willingness to honor tradition. Lamborghini's full EV commitment and performance-first mentality push it in the opposite direction.
The manual transmission debate ultimately reveals generational splits in the supercar market. Collectors and driving purists want them.