MANLY CURVES
Ferrari Roma may look elegant, but there’s power and strength under the hood
The new Ferrari Roma was unveiled to the world not too long ago. The latest coupé from Maranello with refined design has all the power. The key message here is that manly Ferrari now has a beautiful curvy body signature in Italian styling — a contemporary reinterpretation of the carefree lifestyle of the 1950s and 60s Rome, from which it takes its evocative name, Roma.
Ferrari Roma is characterised by its clean and symbiotic form and is in line with the Ferrari mid-front-engined grand touring tradition, similar to the 250 GT Berlinetta lusso and the 250 GT 2+2.
Ferrari’s engineers developed several leading-edge technologies such as a mobile rear spoiler integrated into the rear screen to retain the car’s formal elegance when retracted and also guarantee the downforce essential for the Ferrari Roma’s extraordinary performance by automatically deploying at high speeds.
The Prancing Horse’s new 2+ coupe sports a V8 turbo engine that punches out 612bhp at 7,500rpm, making it the most powerful in its segment. A member of the V8 family that has won the International Engine of the Year four times in a row, it features variable boost management for instantaneous throttle response. With the adoption of gasoline particulate filters, meticulous attention was also placed on the sound of the exhaust system, which has been completely redesigned, removing silencers and introducing new bypass valves.
The car’s new 8-speed dual-clutch gearbox is more compact and 6kg lighter than its 7-speed predecessor. As well as reducing fuel consumption and emissions, shifts are faster and smoother, which makes the car even more responsive on the open road, but also especially comfortable in town and during stop and start driving situations.
The Ferrari Roma’s chassis benefits from modular technology developed by Ferrari for its new generation models. Both bodyshell and chassis have been redesigned to incorporate the latest weight reduction and advanced production technologies. In fact, 70% of its components are entirely new. The midfront-engined 2+ Ferrari Roma has the best weight/power ratio in its segment (2.37 kg/cv), which enhances handling dynamics and responsiveness. Side Slip Control 6.0 (a first on a Ferrari GT car) with 5-position manettino and Ferrari dynamic enhancer, controls yaw angle by hydraulically adjusting brake pressure at the callipers. The car is clothed in long, ultra-sleek lines that sweep back from the front bonnet, highlighting the spare silhouette of the flanks while radiator cooling is guaranteed by a monolithic surface, a new radiator grille concept. It comes with full-LED adaptive headlights. The wraparound rear screen incorporates an active aero device, while the twin taillight is set like a gem.
Ferrari styling centre designers developed a new formal approach, with a dual-cockpit concept that embraces the entire cabin rather than just the dashboard. A new steering wheel is designed to ensure the driver doesn’t have to move their hands from the wheel. The 16” digital instrument cluster provides all the necessary information and is augmented by the central display with an 8.4” vertical screen and a new passenger display. The matrix LED headlights and adaptive cruise control help with local driving, but this car belongs on a track.