Ferrari Roma: where beauty meets the beast

Let’s be honest, when you’re thinking of dipping into the sports car pool, the first thing that comes to mind is a Ferrari. 

From the very first Ferrari 125s, whenever they’re announcing a new edition, we all sit up and take notice.

In that light, let me introduce this macchina magnifica, Ferrari’s newest kid on the grid, the Ferrari Roma.

Tell me more about the Ferrari Roma

Expected later this year, at a price of around $232,000 before add-ons, the Ferrari Roma is a stunning piece of machinery. 

It’s a nod to La Nuova Dolce Vita or ‘the pleasurable way of life’  that distinguished the Italian capital during the 50s and 60s, and a notable departure from the current Ferrari design approach. 

You can see where the inspiration came from. It’s so reminiscent of the classic 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso, with the iconic longer bonnet, shorter rear, and smooth, curvy lines, complete with slim LED lights at the front and back.

Ferrari Roma vs Portofino

Under the bonnet, these two share similar engines: a 3.8L V8 and, with turbo, up to 612bhp. 

However, unlike the Portofino, it uses an SF90 Stradale-type 8-speed dual-clutch transmission, making it smoother in shifts and lighter than the Portofino. 

In fact lighter seems to have been the policy with the Roma. 70 per cent of the parts used are new compared to the Portofino. The result? It weighs 200kg less, a telling factor when it comes to overall performance.

Ferrari Roma’s stat bash

This baby reaches 0-100kph in 3.4 seconds, 0-200kph in 9.3 seconds, and has a top speed over 320 kph. 

The Portofino, by comparison, manages the same in 3.5 seconds and 10.8 seconds in the respective categories. 

They do share a top speed though, much like Usain Bolt versus Richard Thompson at the Beijing Olympics; close in numbers, but a significant gap in reality.

It also comes with a wheel mounted Manettino switch that will allow you to choose from various modes, such as wet, comfort, race driving or sports, giving you greater driving control.

What is the Ferrari Roma like on the Inside?

The interior is everything you expect form a luxury sports car. The seats are stitched with beautiful leather and faux-suede. 

There is a 16 inch wrap around the touch screen on the dash, an 8.4 inch touch screen located centrally, and if you think that’s all, nope, there’s a third vertical touch screen on the passenger side’s dash that controls multimedia and navigation. 

So if you’re in the market for a new sports car to celebrate the end of lock down, the Ferrari Roma certainly will not disappoint.

Are you more excited about the Roma or the Lamborghini Huracan RWD Evo Spyder?