Ferrari Roma’s signature Italian styling presents a contemporary reinterpretation of the carefree lifestyle of mid-twentieth century Rome, from which it takes its name.
As a pure GT (grand tourer), the Ferrari Roma is characterised by clean and symbiotic forms. Its harmonious proportions and elegantly balanced volumes are very much in line with the Ferrari mid-front-engined grand touring tradition, inspired by the iconic 250 GT Berlinetta lusso and 250 GT 2+2.
POWERTRAIN
The Ferrari Roma’s 620cv engine belongs to the V8 turbo family; the main innovations on this version are new cam profiles, a speed sensor which measures the turbine revolutions and allows the maximum revs per minute to be increased by 5,000rpm, and the introduction of the Gasoline Particulate Filter to comply with the strictest Euro 6D anti-pollution standards.
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 thanks to the use of low-viscosity oil and a dry sump configuration to minimise fluid-dynamic efficiency losses, which makes the car even more responsive on the open road, but also especially comfortable in town and during stop & start driving situations.
Like all other turbocharged Ferraris in the range, the Ferrari Roma delivers almost instantaneous throttle response, and its Variable Boost Management – a control software developed by Ferrari that adjusts torque delivery to suit the gear selected – delivers increasingly powerful pick-up as revs rise, whilst optimising fuel consumption.
By tradition, every single Ferrari engine has its own particular soundtrack that makes it unique. The Ferrari Roma is no exception to that rule.
DYNAMICS
The Ferrari Roma’s dynamic development was focused on delivering superior driving pleasure and comfort thanks to the low vehicle weight and to the introduction of the latest evolution of the Side Slip Control. A first on a Ferrari GT car, the Side Slip Control 6.0 concept incorporates an algorithm that delivers a precise estimate of sideslip to the on-board control systems. The SSC 6.0 integrates systems such as the E-Diff, F1-Trac, SCM-E Frs and Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer, the latter debuting in the Race position on the Ferrari Roma. The aim of the 5-position manettino – Wet, Comfort, Sport, Race, ESC-Off – is to make the Ferrari Roma’s handling and grip more accessible. (The Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer is available solely in the Ferrari Roma’s Race setting of the manettino.)
Ferrari has also introduced its optional ADAS (SAE Level 1) systems: Adaptive Cruise Control, which can be commanded directly from the steering wheel for faster, safer interaction; Autonomous Emergency Braking; Lane Departure warning with Traffic Sign Recognition; Blind Spot Detection with Rear Cross Traffic Alert; and Surround View Camera.
AERODYNAMICS
To guarantee best-in-class aerodynamic performance whilst still retaining the Ferrari Roma’s stylistic purity of the bloodline, Maranello engineers developed several leading-edge technologies, most notably a mobile rear spoiler integrated into the rear screen designed to retain the car’s formal elegance when retracted and guarantee the downforce essential for the car’s extraordinary performance by automatically deploying at high speeds.
EXTERIOR
The Ferrari Roma’s design took inspiration from the concept of sporty elegance celebrated in the most legendary grand touring Ferraris of the 1960s, front-engined cars with simple yet elegant forms and a 2+ fastback coupé design.
Ultra-sleek lines sweep back from the front bonnet and the sober, spare front of the car creates an overhanging shark nose effect. The wide front bonnet and sinuous wings flow into one another, in line with Ferrari’s traditional styling cues. The designers sought to preserve the minimalist elegance of the car’s forms by removing any vents or superfluous decorations. In addition, the car was designed without the Scuderia Ferrari side shields, reflecting the approach taken with the road cars of the 1950s.
The leitmotif of the entire Ferrari Roma design is its purity, as evidenced by the active rear spoiler integrated into the rear screen. The twin taillights look like gems set into the volume while linear light strips create a dialogue with the nolder, generating a sort of continuous virtual line. A compact diffuser that incorporates the fences and the exhausts completes the rear of the car.
INTERIOR
A new architectural concept for volumes and forms was developed for the Ferrari Roma’s cabin. The idea was to create two separate spaces or cells, one each for driver and passenger, in an evolution of the Dual Cockpit concept introduced on other cars in the range. A cleverly balanced combination of elegance and sportiness brings a sense of exceptional refinement and unique character to the interior, thanks to a spare, modern design language that underscores the formal purity of both lines and volumes.
Unlike the Prancing Horse’s sports cars, which are typically more driver-oriented, the Ferrari Roma’s cabin has an almost symmetrical structure which produces a more organic distribution of both spaces and functional elements. In fact, the passenger will feel very involved in the driving experience, almost like a co-pilot.
HUMAN-MACHINE INTERFACE (HMI)
The look and feel of the cabin was driven by the complete redesign of the HMI, which marks a major leap forward starting from the new Ferrari range steering wheel designed using the ‘Eyes on the road, hands on the wheel’ philosophy. The digital instrument cluster is protected by an elegant binnacle, which extends out naturally from the dash. The instrumentation is now entirely digital with all the screens going completely black when the car is not running, lending the cabin a very minimalist look.
The instrument cluster comprises a single 16” HD screen that is curved to make it easier to read. In the default screen, the navigation and audio screens surround the large circular rev counter. The screen’s dimensions mean that there is huge flexibility in terms of personalising the displays, which are very easy to navigate using the steering wheel controls.
The new steering wheel introduces a series of multi-touch controls that allow the driver to control any aspect of the car without ever taking their hands off the wheel.
Intuitive and easy to use, the new 8.4” HD central display is set between the two cockpits, and incorporates the other infotainment, sat-nav and climate control functions.
The Ferrari Roma is available from the base price of RM968,000 (before duties, customisation options, taxes and insurance). Ferrari’s seven-year maintenance programme covers all regular maintenance for the first seven years of the car’s life.
To know more, visit Naza Italia, the official importer and distributor of the Ferrari brand in Malaysia.
