Extended shift paddles Mansory for Ferrari 296 GTB
Extended Shift Paddles Mansory for Ferrari 296 GTB
The paddle shifters are the driver's primary interface with the 296 GTB's 8-speed dual-clutch transmission — the mechanism through which the DCT's sub-100-millisecond gear changes are commanded. The Mansory Extended Shift Paddles replace the OEM units with a longer-reach, wider-blade design that keeps the paddle tip within fingertip contact throughout a wider range of steering angles, eliminating the need to release grip and re-grip the wheel to find the paddle when the steering wheel is rotated more than 45° from centre — a situation that arises in every chicane, every hairpin, and every evasive manoeuvre on a circuit. As part of the Mansory Carbon Fiber Body kit set for Ferrari 296 GTB, these paddles are the simplest-to-install interior upgrade and the one with the most direct effect on driver engagement with the drivetrain's performance. The 296 GTB's PHEV system uses the DCT to sequence gear changes across the full 830 hp output of the twin-turbo V6 and electric motor combined; in hybrid mode the DCT's upshift logic coordinates with the electric motor's torque fill to deliver seamless acceleration — accurate, confident paddle inputs from the driver support this coordination by keeping the transmission in the optimum ratio for the prevailing speed and hybrid state.
Construction & Materials
The extended paddles are CNC-machined from solid 6061-T6 aluminium billet to a net-shape profile that replaces the OEM plastic paddle blades at the column-fixed paddle shaft attachment point. The Mansory paddle spans 95 mm in reach from the shaft attachment centreline to the blade tip — approximately 35 mm longer than the OEM paddle reach on the 296 GTB — and 55 mm in width at the blade tip, providing a wide activation surface that the driver's fingertip finds easily during wide steering angle inputs. The blade face is knurled with a 0.8 mm diamond knurl pattern at the lower two-thirds of the blade face, providing positive tactile feedback under gloved or bare-hand contact and preventing fingertip slip during rapid repeated shift inputs at high loads. The upper one-third of the blade is smooth-machined and anodised in satin-black hard anodise. The shaft attachment interface uses the OEM spring-clip retention system and requires no modification to the column assembly. Total weight per paddle pair is approximately 110 g — slightly lighter than the OEM plastic blades with their rubber overmould.
- Material: 6061-T6 aluminium billet, CNC-machined to net shape
- Blade reach: 95 mm from shaft centreline to tip (≈35 mm longer than OEM)
- Blade width at tip: 55 mm
- Blade face texture: 0.8 mm diamond knurl on lower 2/3 of face; smooth satin-anodised upper 1/3
- Finish: satin-black hard anodise, 15–20 µm
- Attachment: OEM spring-clip retention at column-fixed paddle shaft — no modification required
- Pair weight: ≈ 110 g
- Compatibility: Ferrari 296 GTB / 296 GTS — 8-speed DCT column-fixed paddle interface
Design & Visual Function
The OEM 296 GTB paddles are column-fixed — they rotate with the steering wheel, maintaining their position relative to the driver's hand regardless of steering input. This architecture means that the driver's fingertips can always find the paddles without losing steering grip, but the OEM paddle's relatively short reach means that when the steering wheel is rotated by 90° or more — as it is in slow corners, hairpins, and tight chicanes — the paddle tips have moved rearward relative to the straight-ahead position, requiring the driver's fingers to extend further to maintain contact. The Mansory extended paddle's 35 mm additional reach reduces this extension requirement, keeping the activation surface in contact with the driver's fingertip curl throughout steering angles up to approximately 135° of lock. This geometry has a measurable effect on shift timing consistency — laboratory analysis of driver shift patterns shows that extended paddles reduce shift-input timing variation by 15–25 % in high-steering-angle conditions compared to OEM paddles.
The wider blade at 55 mm provides a larger target for finger contact — relevant for gloved-hand use where proprioceptive precision is reduced by the glove material layer. Racing drivers using thicker gloves rely on the paddle blade width to guide finger position without visual confirmation; the 55 mm Mansory blade accommodates this use case more effectively than the OEM's narrower blade. The diamond knurl on the activation face creates positive tactile cues under high lateral-g conditions — situations where the driver's arms are braced against centrifugal loading and the paddle-shift input requires a firm, deliberate pull rather than a light tap. The knurl's mechanical engagement prevents the fingertip from sliding across the blade face under these conditions, maintaining a clean, single-click shift request rather than the accidental double-shift that a smooth blade can produce when the finger skips.
The satin-black anodised finish presents a purposeful, understated appearance — the extended blade length is immediately visible from the driver's seat as a dark, substantial form at the outer periphery of the steering wheel aperture. Under ambient cabin lighting, the knurl pattern on the blade face creates a textured visual shadow that emphasises the blade's three-dimensional form. The Mansory logo is laser-engraved into the smooth upper section of each blade, providing programme identification at this driver-facing component.
Compatibility & Fitment
The Extended Shift Paddles are engineered for the Ferrari 296 GTB coupé (2022+) and 296 GTS spider (2023+). They fit the column-fixed paddle shaft on the OEM and all Mansory steering wheel variants (leather/carbon, leather/leather, leather/Alcantara). Fitment uses the OEM spring-clip retention and requires no tools — the OEM plastic blades release by pressing the clip and pulling the blade free; the Mansory blade engages the same clip in reverse. Both LHD and RHD 296 GTB configurations use the same paddles. The paddles do not require any ECU programming or calibration after installation — they engage the same switch circuit as the OEM blades.
Installation & Reversibility
Remove the OEM paddle blades by pressing the spring clip at the shaft attachment point and pulling the blade free — no tools required. Press the Mansory paddle onto the column shaft at the clip position until fully engaged. Confirm pull activation function before driving. Total installation time approximately 5–10 minutes per paddle. Fully reversible — OEM blades preserved and reinstallable in 5 minutes. No SRS or electrical work involved. Safe for DIY installation.
Pairing within the Mansory 296 GTB programme
The extended paddles complement any of the three Mansory steering wheel variants — pair with the Sport Steering Wheel Leather/Carbon Mansory for Ferrari 296 GTB for the complete carbon-and-aluminium controls aesthetic, or with the Sport Steering Wheel Leather/Alcantara Mansory for Ferrari 296 GTB for the maximum-grip driving configuration. The Pedal Pads Mansory for Ferrari 296 GTB extend the aluminium-machined controls language to the foot zone, completing the driver controls upgrade in a coherent material set.
Maintenance & Durability
Hard-anodised aluminium paddles require minimal maintenance. Wipe down with a damp cloth to remove hand oils and brake dust; dry promptly. The knurl pattern on the activation face accumulates hand oils over time, which slightly reduces the tactile sharpness of the knurl engagement — clean periodically with a medium-bristle toothbrush and a drop of pH-neutral cleaner to restore the knurl channel definition. Do not use abrasive pads on the anodised surface. The laser-engraved logo on the smooth upper section does not require any specific maintenance. Inspect the spring-clip retention point annually — the clip is the single mechanical connection between paddle and shaft, and any free play at this interface indicates clip fatigue that should be addressed before the paddle develops audible rattle at high RPM vibration frequencies. The clip is a standard OEM-specification part available as a service item.
Lead Time & Warranty
Extended shift paddles are CNC-machined from stock material and typically have a 2–3 week lead time from order confirmation. The 12-month warranty covers dimensional accuracy, anodise finish quality, and clip-retention interface geometry. Impact damage and incorrect installation force that deforms the clip interface are outside warranty scope. Contact Hodoor with order reference and photographs for warranty claims.
FAQ
Q: Will the longer paddles interfere with the steering wheel spokes during full lock?
A: No — the Mansory paddle length is calibrated for the 296 GTB's steering column and wheel assembly. At full lock, the column-fixed paddles are at their furthest position from the wheel rim and the extended blade tip remains clear of the rim and spoke zone throughout the full steering range.
Q: Do these paddles work with the Mansory steering wheels as well as the OEM wheel?
A: Yes — the column-fixed paddle shaft interface is common to both the OEM steering wheel and all three Mansory steering wheel variants. The paddles engage the same shaft clip regardless of which steering wheel is fitted above them.
Q: Is there any change to shift response time with the extended paddles?
A: The switch circuit engaged by the extended paddle is identical to the OEM circuit — the paddle is a mechanical actuator for an existing switch, not a signal generator. Shift response time is governed by the DCT's control unit, not by the paddle hardware. The benefit is input accuracy and consistency under high steering angles, not raw response time.
Q: Do the paddles fit both left and right sides?
A: Yes — the paddle blade profile is handed (left upshift, right downshift as per Ferrari convention), and the product is supplied as a matched pair. Both paddles are included in a single order.
To order the extended shift paddles for your 296 GTB, contact us via WhatsApp +44 7488 818 747 or [email protected].
