At an early July test drive event in Maranello, when the new Ferrari glided into view, painted in “Rosso Imola” red, several automotive journalists paused mid-sip of their espresso. Someone muttered, “Roma is no more.” This seemingly casual remark actually encapsulates Ferrari’s latest ambition. The Roma, a stylish grand tourer, was an attempt. Amalfi, however, is its correction.
The name itself, Amalfi, conjures images of Italy’s southern coast—breathtakingly beautiful, elegant, and timeless. It’s not just a visual indulgence; this car promises to be a revolution in driving dynamics.
To understand the significance of Amalfi, one must first consider the Roma’s original intentions. When it debuted, the Roma was a graceful GT designed to carve a niche in the luxury touring market. Ferrari aimed to attract those who found the razor-sharp F8 too aggressive and the thunderous 812 Superfast too overwhelming. The Roma embodied “la nuova dolce vita” — the “new sweet life” — a nod to the golden era of 1950s and 1960s Italy. This period, where film, art, architecture, and cars thrived, was an era of effortless sophistication.
However, the Roma wasn’t without its flaws. Many buyers criticized the front grille, calling it a "shark mouth with dentures." Inside, Ferrari made the controversial decision to replace physical buttons with tactile touch controls. One Ferrari owner, Jake Richardson, a finance professional from London, quipped, “I just wanted to adjust the mirror, not swipe through my Apple Watch.”
And so, Amalfi was born. This new Ferrari addresses those shortcomings while introducing fresh technology. For example, it features line-controlled braking and an engine management system borrowed from the legendary 296 GTB.
The first major change is the front grille. Gone is the contentious perforated design of the Roma. In its place, a slender black band now runs between the headlights, becoming a signature design feature for Ferrari. Ferrari’s design chief, Flavio Manzoni, describes this as a “dehumanized” design, emphasizing clean lines rather than human-like expressions. The rear of the car, however, steals the spotlight. Its new tail design evokes a blend of the Porsche 928, TVR T350, and even a bit of "Star Trek" spaceship vibes — futuristic and sleek.
Inside, Ferrari took a bold step back into tradition. The controversial tactile controls on the steering wheel have been replaced with actual buttons, and the iconic red start button makes its return. While the mirror controls still feature a small touchscreen, they’re no longer the frustration they once were. The cabin itself is redesigned to feel more spacious and luxurious. A new aluminum divider separates the driver from the passenger, while the central touchscreen has been repositioned horizontally, giving the cockpit a more integrated feel.
Under the hood, the 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 from the Roma has been tweaked. The engine now produces 631 horsepower, up from 611, and retains a peak torque of 561 lb-ft. Ferrari claims the new engine responds faster, thanks to lighter camshafts, improved intake and exhaust systems, and a faster-spinning turbocharger. The car’s aerodynamics have also been enhanced, with a smaller front grille and improved cooling for the V8. The new rear spoiler has three adjustable positions, generating up to 155 lbs of downforce at 242 mph. The top speed is expected to be just over 200 mph, with a 0-62 mph time of 3.3 seconds and 0-124 mph in 9.0 seconds.
While the Amalfi will come in both coupe and convertible versions, the latter is expected to hit the market soon after the coupe. This is Ferrari’s latest foray into a more balanced grand tourer, combining both elegance and performance.
At an expected price tag of $275,000, the Ferrari Amalfi isn’t exactly cheap. But for those who’ve long been put off by the harshness of track-focused supercars and the price tags of larger V12 beasts, it’s an intriguing alternative. As one Ferrari fan, Stacy Williams, an architect from Los Angeles, put it after test-driving the Amalfi: “It’s like having the best of both worlds — you can drop your kids off in the morning, hit the winding mountain roads for some fun in the afternoon, and still be dressed for an evening opera.”
In the delicate balance between style and performance, the Amalfi has found its sweet spot. It’s no longer just about nostalgia for Ferrari’s past. With this car, Ferrari seems ready to redefine what a luxury grand tourer can be.