Who designed the Ferrari Roma?
The Ferrari Roma was penned by the Ferrari Styling Centre under the direction of Flavio Manzoni—the same creative mind who’s quietly reshaped Maranello’s modern era. I first saw the Roma not on a motor show stand, but slipping through late-night traffic in Milan. No wings, no nostrils, no drama for drama’s sake. Just long, unbroken surfacing and a nose so clean it could pass for concept-car metal. That restraint is the point; Manzoni’s team wanted La Dolce Vita, not lap-time cosplay.
Ferrari Roma design: elegance learned the hard way
On paper, the Roma looks simple. In person, it’s all micro-curves and light play—very 250 GT Lusso if you squint, but with the modern trickery hidden away. There are active aero elements baked into the body (not slapped on), including a three-position rear spoiler that stays tucked until you need it. The shut lines are razor-thin, the door handles sit flush, and Ferrari’s CFD boffins lived in front of screens to claw back drag without ruining the silhouette. When I ran a finger along the rear haunches (blame the photographer), the panel felt like a single poured form. It’s one of those cars where you catch your reflection and slightly forgive yourself for the morning espresso spill.
Ferrari Roma interior: classy GT with a few quirks
Ferrari calls it a 2+2, and yes, there are two token perches behind the front seats—perfect for small humans or soft bags on a weekend run to the coast. Up front, the architecture cocoons driver and passenger in twin pods. The screens are crisp, the materials are proper (my test car had delicate carbon weave next to buttery leather), and the optional passenger display is a conversation piece for your co-driver—equal parts fun and mischief.
There are quirks. The haptic pads on the steering wheel look great, but on a bumpy provincial road I fat-fingered the indicators more than once. The touch-sensitive start button is cool theatre, but I missed the physical click. The good news? The seats are day-long comfortable and the ride, with the adaptive dampers softened, is what I’d call “Italian slippers” serene. Calm enough to hear your kids negotiating back-seat territory, not so soft that a fast sweeper gets loose.
- 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 (F154 family), 612 hp and 561 lb-ft
- 8-speed dual-clutch gearbox, rear-wheel drive
- 0–62 mph in about 3.4 seconds; top speed around 199+ mph
- Side Slip Control 6.0 with Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer
- Adaptive dampers; manettino modes: Wet, Comfort, Sport, Race, ESC Off
- Available ADAS: adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, rear cross traffic alert
Inside, small touches matter. Owners I spoke with love the quiet cabin (at a cruise, you can whisper) and the small, deep trunk that swallows a couple of duffels. One owner joked the valets in Miami circle the car twice, pretending to look for a handle.
Add-on polish: keeping the cabin perfect
One easy upgrade that keeps the Roma’s interior feeling new: fitted mats. I’ve used AutoWin’s on a few test cars, and the fit is tidy—no curled edges, no pedal interference, easy to clean after a dusty hillclimb detour.
Ferrari Roma performance: calm, fast, and properly sorted
The Roma’s V8 has that Ferrari duality: smooth and polite below 3,000 rpm, properly angry past 5,000. In town, the new 8-speed dual-clutch shifts like a good automatic—no lurching, just silk. Put the manettino in Race and the character flips. The gearbox finds the right ratio before you’ve fully decided you want it, and the steering (light, accurate) gives you tiny cues that make you feel brave.
Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer deserves credit here. On a damp Tuscan B-road, I nudged the car into tiny, manageable slips—nothing heroic, but enough to trust the rear end. Active aero keeps the nose clean and the tail planted at proper Autobahn speeds. It’s a GT that remembers it’s from a company that makes cars with engines in the middle.
Ferrari Roma vs rivals: the tasteful end of fast
| Car | Power | Drivetrain | 0–60 mph | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ferrari Roma | 612 hp | RWD | ~3.4 s | ~$222,620 |
| Porsche 911 Turbo S | 640 hp | AWD | ~2.6 s | ~$230,000 |
| Aston Martin DB12 | 671 hp | RWD | ~3.5 s | ~$248,000 |
| Bentley Continental GT V8 | 542 hp | AWD | ~3.9 s | ~$240,000 |
The Porsche demolishes figures, the Aston brings drama and a thumping V8 soundtrack, and the Bentley does clubhouse luxury. The Ferrari Roma? It’s the quiet assassin—less shout, more glide, and a chassis that breathes with the road.
Price, practicality, and the Spider question
- Starting price: around $222,620 before options; Ferrari’s personalization can nudge the total well north of $300k.
- Seating: 2+2 layout—rear seats are occasional-use but handy for bags.
- Drivetrain: rear-wheel drive only; no hybrid or EV variant.
- Body styles: coupe and (since 2023) Roma Spider with a fabric roof—the Spider keeps the same easy-going poise with an extra layer of evening-in-Portofino charm.
Verdict: why the Ferrari Roma works
Ferrari can do fireworks on demand, but the Roma proves restraint can be just as intoxicating. Designed by the Ferrari Styling Centre under Flavio Manzoni, it’s a beautiful grand tourer that’s easy to live with, fast when you ask, and subtle enough to leave the theatrics to your right foot. If you appreciate elegance over excess, the Ferrari Roma is the Ferrari that makes everyday life feel like an occasion—morning coffee runs included.
FAQ: Ferrari Roma
- Who designed the Ferrari Roma? The Ferrari Roma was designed by the Ferrari Styling Centre under Flavio Manzoni.
- How much is a Ferrari Roma? The coupe starts around $222,620 before options; final pricing varies widely with customization.
- Is there a Ferrari Roma Spider? Yes—the Roma Spider arrived in 2023 with a fabric roof and the same 612-hp V8.
- Is the Ferrari Roma a hybrid or electric? Neither. It runs a 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 with an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission.
- Can the Ferrari Roma be a daily driver? Absolutely. It’s more user-friendly than many Ferraris—comfortable ride, decent visibility, and usable tech—though it’s still a low, wide sports GT.
