Why you won’t see another manual Ferrari

• Full coverage: 2015 Frankfurt motor show

Ferrari has emphatically ruled out offering a manual gearbox in its next generation of vehicles, for one simple reason: performance.

Speaking at the Frankfurt motor show this week, stakeholders at Ferrari said the manual transmission had become obsolete in a performance sense because modern dual-clutch transmissions were much faster and effective in their shifts.

"We never say no, but today we say no," a spokesman said.

"We are very convinced with our strategy about the automatic gearbox, it's the fastest gearbox in the market and this is a distinctive component for us. Right now we are not thinking about a manual because the performance is [less]."

Ferrari last offered a manual gearbox in 2012 as an option on the California. Only three customers took up the three-pedal proposition.

"I think the best answer is the client answer. The client answer to the California was very limited," the spokesman said.

The company's newly-unveiled 488 Spider will not be a proponent of the manual cause, Ferrari confirmed to journalists, and its seven-speed dual clutch transmission perfectly demonstrates why: teamed with a new 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 engine also found in the new 488 GTB coupe, it facilitates an official 0-100km/h time of just 3.0 seconds, a top speed of more than 330km/h and a claimed fuel consumption rating of 11.4L/100km.

While current Ferrari customer feedback reflects little demand for manuals, the gearboxes remain highly sought-after in second-hand circles due to their rarity. Earlier this month an exceptionally rare Ferrari 599 GTB with a six-speed manual sold well above pre-auction estimates, at about $950,000 (AUD). 

However, Ferrari said those such buyers were a completely different demographic to prospective new car customers.

"It's another story," the spokesman said.

"Those people aren't looking for something special, they are just looking for something very few cars in the world have. It's not economical to have a special version."