Ferrari Roma
The Ferrari Roma, unveiled in November 2019, represents a deliberate departure from the aggressive styling and overtly sporting character that has defined recent Ferraris. Named after the Eternal City, it evokes the effortless elegance and optimism of 1960s Rome, the era of La Dolce Vita, when beautiful people drove beautiful cars along the Via Veneto and the world seemed full of possibility. The Roma channels that spirit into a thoroughly modern grand tourer that is as refined as it is fast.
The design, by Flavio Manzoni and Ferrari's Centro Stile, is remarkable for what it leaves out. There are no aggressive air intakes, no ostentatious wings, no visual violence. Instead, the Roma presents clean, flowing surfaces, a long bonnet tapering to a refined nose, flush door handles, and a subtly truncated Kamm tail. The proportions are classic front-engined GT: long hood, cab-rearward stance, compact greenhouse. The overall effect is one of understatement, a quality rarely associated with Ferrari but one that the marque's most elegant historical creations, such as the 275 GTB and 365 GTB/4 Daytona, embodied perfectly.
Beneath the elegant exterior sits Ferrari's F154 CD twin-turbocharged V8 engine, producing 612 horsepower at 7,500 rpm and 561 lb-ft of torque from 3,000 rpm. This is the same fundamental engine family that powers the F8 Tributo and SF90 Stradale, here in a specification optimized for the Roma's grand touring mission. The engine is paired with Ferrari's new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission, used here for the first time in a Ferrari, which provides faster shifts and smoother low-speed manners than the previous 7-speed unit. The combination delivers effortless acceleration: zero to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds, with the kind of relentless mid-range surge that makes overtaking on winding Italian highways a matter of gentle right-foot pressure.
The chassis is built around an aluminum spaceframe with extensive use of die-cast components for rigidity and weight reduction. The suspension employs double wishbones at the front and a multilink arrangement at the rear, with magnetorheological adaptive dampers that continuously adjust to road conditions and driving style. The Side Slip Control system, now in its 5.0 iteration, integrates the electronic differential, traction control, stability management, and damper control into a unified system that allows the driver to exploit the car's considerable dynamic abilities with confidence.
The interior marks a significant evolution in Ferrari cabin design. A sweeping, minimalist dashboard wraps around the driver, with a fully digital 16-inch instrument cluster and a central 8.4-inch touchscreen. For the first time in a Ferrari, the passenger receives their own display, a secondary 8.8-inch screen mounted in the dashboard, showing speed, navigation, and other information. The gear selector has been moved to a bridge between the seats in a design reminiscent of a jet fighter's cockpit. Material quality is exceptional, with extensive use of leather, aluminum, and carbon fiber throughout.
The Roma is a 2+2 configuration, with small rear seats that are genuinely useful for children or additional luggage on long-distance journeys. Combined with a reasonable 272-liter trunk, the Roma is one of the most practical Ferraris currently available, capable of serving as a daily driver in a way that a mid-engined F8 Tributo or 296 GTB cannot.
What makes the Roma exceptional is its character. It is the kind of Ferrari that does not need to shout. It whispers confidently, knowing that true elegance requires no announcement. On a morning drive along the Amalfi Coast, it would be just as at home as on a fast autostrada transit across northern Italy. It can be driven gently, in perfect comfort, with the dual-clutch transmission shuffling ratios almost imperceptibly, or it can be driven with genuine aggression, the flat-plane V8 screaming past 7,000 rpm and the rear tires searching for grip out of slow corners. This breadth of capability, this effortless duality, is what makes the Roma arguably the most complete Ferrari in the current range.
As a current model, most Romas are under factory warranty. The 8-speed dual-clutch gearbox is a new unit; verify smooth operation across all modes. Carbon-ceramic brakes are optional and preferable. Check that all electronic systems function correctly, particularly the dual-screen infotainment setup. Lighter-colored interiors show wear more easily. The Assetto Fiorano sport exhaust is a desirable option for those seeking a more vocal character. Verify all Tailor Made options if the car was custom-ordered.
The Roma was introduced in late 2019 as a new addition to Ferrari's front-engined range. An open-top version, the Roma Spider, was introduced in 2023. The Roma is positioned between the Portofino M and the 812 Superfast in Ferrari's lineup, as a more intimate and elegant alternative to both.