More supercars could get faux-manual tech
Technically pre-dating the Ferrari 12Cilindri Manuale, Rezvani’s ‘Quick Shift’ manual conversion claims to deliver a more engaging driving experience.
Earlier this month, Ferrari revealed the 12Cilindri Manuale, a new version of its 12-cylinder grand tourer with a gated shifter and a clutch pedal.
It represents the return of both features to a Ferrari for the first time in 15 years, though rather than use the mechanical connections to the transmission of every other manual on sale, it replicates the feeling of a ‘true’ three-pedal car by manipulating the dual-clutch automatic transmission.
This has received mixed feedback online, though a similar invention by Rezvani Motors not only (slightly) pre-dates it, but is now available to a wider range of vehicles.
Developed and co-engineered in partnership with Studio Carrozzi, Rezvani’s Quick Shift follows a similar formula to Ferrari’s 12Cilindri Manuale, though without the clutch pedal.
The firm has developed a gated shifter system which allows drivers to override the brain of the automatic transmission, allowing them to change gears in a more tactile, familiar way than pulling paddles behind the steering wheel.
Initially announced for the Ferrari 458, 488 and F12, the Quick Shift mechanism is also available for the GT4C, while Rezvani says it’s being further developed to be fitted to the Lamborghini Huracan and Aventador, plus the Chevrolet Corvette C8.
Priced from US$25,000 (A$36,050), it’s not what you’d call cheap, though if it delivers on its claim of providing greater driving engagement, it may be worth the money.
The launch of the system follows Tremec – the producer of the Corvette’s eight-speed transaxle – making a manual version of the ‘box, though Chevrolet has ruled out fitting it into a production car.
