Ferrari Roma: A Modern Icon Wrapped in Timeless Elegance

By Himanshu Kumar

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Ferrari Roma: A Modern Icon Wrapped in Timeless Elegance

When you think of Ferrari, images of roaring engines, aggressive styling, and racetrack heritage likely come to mind. But the Ferrari Roma takes a different approach. Introduced as a grand tourer rather than a track-slaying supercar, the Roma is Ferrari’s nod to the carefree, elegant lifestyle of 1950s and ’60s Rome—where style and sophistication ruled the streets.

Yet beneath its sculpted, minimalist exterior lies the unmistakable DNA of Maranello. This is still very much a Ferrari. But it whispers where others shout. It glides where others pounce. And that makes it one of the most fascinating entries in the modern Ferrari lineup.

A Return to Form — Elegance Redefined

The Ferrari Roma debuted in 2019 and immediately turned heads. Its smooth, flowing lines mark a distinct departure from the aggressive angles of the F8 Tributo or the SF90. With its long bonnet, fastback silhouette, and subtly integrated rear spoiler, the Roma channels Ferrari’s classic GTs like the 250 GT Lusso.

It’s a design that prioritizes purity over drama. The front grille, flush door handles, and sleek LED lighting all contribute to the clean aesthetic. It’s a car that looks equally at home parked in front of a Tuscan villa or cruising through the streets of Monaco.

This approach to design isn’t just about beauty—it’s about intention. Ferrari aimed to make the Roma appeal to a new generation of drivers: people who value both performance and elegance, speed and sophistication.

Heart of a Prancing Horse

Don’t let the Roma’s refined looks fool you—it’s got serious power under the hood. The car is powered by a 3.9-liter twin-turbocharged V8, delivering 612 horsepower and 760 Nm (561 lb-ft) of torque. This engine, a multiple-time winner of the “International Engine of the Year” award, is paired with Ferrari’s 8-speed dual-clutch transmission—the same one found in the SF90 Stradale.

The result? A 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) time of just 3.4 seconds, and a top speed north of 320 km/h (199 mph). In other words, it’s not just a looker—it’s a genuine Ferrari through and through.

Yet what sets the Roma apart is not just how fast it goes—it’s how it goes fast. The power delivery is smooth, the shifts are lightning-quick, and the handling is perfectly balanced thanks to a rear-wheel-drive setup and near-perfect weight distribution. Ferrari’s advanced vehicle dynamics system, including Side Slip Control 6.0 and F1-Trac, ensures the car remains composed, even when driven hard.

An Interior Crafted for the Driver

Inside, the Roma continues its theme of modern luxury. The cabin features what Ferrari calls a “dual-cockpit” layout, separating the driver and passenger into their own distinct areas. This design not only emphasizes the driver-focused nature of the car but also gives the passenger a sense of involvement.

High-quality materials abound, from soft leather and Alcantara to brushed aluminum accents. The 16-inch digital instrument cluster is fully configurable, while the center stack features an 8.4-inch touchscreen controlling navigation, media, and climate. There’s even a secondary display for the passenger, allowing them to monitor performance data or control entertainment.

In a bold move for Ferrari, the Roma adopts a more minimalistic approach to interior controls. The steering wheel features touch-sensitive buttons, and most of the cabin is devoid of traditional knobs or switches. While this may divide purists, it contributes to the car’s clean, futuristic aesthetic.

Everyday Usability — A Ferrari You Can Live With

The Roma is not just about weekend drives. Ferrari has deliberately made this a car you can use every day. With a relatively spacious 272-liter (9.6 cu ft) trunk and decent ride comfort for a GT, it’s more practical than you’d expect from a brand known for race-bred machines.

There’s also a range of driver assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. These aren’t features you’d typically associate with Ferrari, but they reflect the Roma’s positioning as an everyday grand tourer.

A New Chapter for Ferrari

The Ferrari Roma is not about breaking lap records or dominating drag strips. It’s about redefining what it means to drive a Ferrari in the 21st century. It’s about elegance, emotion, and enjoyment—all wrapped in a package that pays homage to the past while embracing the future.

For those who crave the thrill of a Ferrari but want it paired with subtlety and sophistication, the Roma offers a compelling proposition. It proves that performance doesn’t always have to scream—and sometimes, the most powerful statement is made in a whisper.

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