Maranello’s Latest Elegant Coupe: The Ferrari Roma

Ferrari recently debuted the new Roma, the legendary brand’s next front-mid-engine tourer, which follows in the proud steps of the F12, 550 Maranello, and FF, as well as the 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso and 250 GT 2+2, from which the car takes its a lot of design inspiration. Ferrari states that it embodies an extremely modern design language which underlines its authentic, refined styling. At the same time, its sleek lines retain the sporty vocation shared by all Ferraris.

Integrated into this modern design language is myriad of new technology, most notably a rear mobile rear spoiler that is integrated into the rear screen. While retracted it maintains the Roma’s formal elegance, and at high speed it deploys for added downforce ensuring excellent aero performance. The rest of the exterior is quite sleek and elegant, with attention paid to minimalism and clever ways of integrating the car’s cooling systems. The LED headlights and taillights are gorgeous; the taillights in particular look like gems set into the sporty rear deck.

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The thrill of the brand’s legendary V8 lineage is kept alive with a 3.8-liter twin-turbo unit that stomps out 611 horsepower and 560 lb. feet of torque. The powerplant is quite technology rich, which includes Variable Boost Management for instantaneous throttle response. With the adoption of Gasoline Particulate Filters in Europe, Ferrari spent a lot of time working on the sound of the exhaust system, which has been completely redesigned, removing the silencers and introducing new bypass valves. To nobody’s surprise it will probably sound amazing. Power is sent through a new 8-speed dual-clutch gearbox that’s more compact and 13 lbs. lighter than its 7-speed predecessor. In addition to reducing fuel consumption and emissions, shifts are faster and smoother, which really contributes to open road fun, but is also comfortable in town and in traffic.

The Roma’s chassis benefits from modular technology developed by Ferrari for its new generation models. Both the body and chassis have been re-designed to incorporate the latest weight reduction and advanced production technologies. 70% of its components are entirely new. The front-mid-engine 2+ Ferrari Roma has the best weight/power ratio in its class, to which responsiveness, handling, and even fuel economy benefit.

All of this new technology adds up to a very lightweight 2+ tourer compared to previous models, with a curb weight of just 3,461 lbs. By contrast, the F12 weighs in at 3,593 lbs. and the FF tips the scale at 4,145 lbs.

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The Maranello institution always goes above and beyond when designing and engineering the best driving position, and ensure the driver is feels as engaged to the whole experience as possible:

“The Ferrari Styling Center designers developed a new formal approach that involved the creation of two separate cells, one each for driver and passenger, in an evolution of the dual cockpit concept that embraces the entire cabin rather than just the dashboard as was previously the case. The crafting of the interior took its lead from the complete redesign of the HMI. This resulted in a major leap forward, starting with the new steering wheel designed using the “Eyes on the road, hands on the wheel” philosophy with all the car’s main commands actioned by haptic controls, ensuring the driver doesn’t have to move their hands from the wheel.”

No MSRP or dealer availability date has been announced as of yet. Info and photos courtesy of Newspress.Co.UK/Media.Ferrari.com.

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