Ferrari Roma

What is Ferrari Roma?

The Ferrari Roma, launched in November 2019, is a 2+2 coupe with a 3.9-liter V8 twin-turbo engine mounted in the front mid-wheel. As a Ferrari GT model following in the footsteps of the California and Portofino, it is a relatively modestly priced model in the lineup. It also takes into consideration comfort and ease of use for everyday use, as well as an understated exterior design.

Ferrari has adopted “LA NUOVA DOLCE VITA (The New Sweet Life)” as the concept for this model. This phrase comes from “La Dolce Vita (The Sweet Life),” a film produced in 1960 by legendary Italian film director Federico Fellini. The Ferrari Roma is a modern interpretation and embodiment of the free-spirited lifestyle of Rome in the 1950s and 1960s depicted in the film.

Open-top Roma Spider (convertible)

The open-top Roma Spider, added in 2023, is Ferrari’s first front-engine soft-top in 54 years. Available in four colors—black, blue, gray, and dark brown—its five-layer fabric construction is said to provide the same level of comfort as a retractable hardtop. It can be opened or closed while driving at speeds up to 60 km/h, and the operation takes just 13.5 seconds. The rear-mounted wind deflector is said to reduce turbulence around the driver’s head by approximately 30%.

Ferrari Roma exterior and interior

The exterior of the Ferrari Roma is characterized by beautiful proportions and clean lines, while the interior features a dual cockpit concept with separate spaces for the driver and passenger.

Appearance: Simple, refined and elegant GT

While following the tradition of “sporty elegance” of front-midship GT Ferraris such as the 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso and 250 GT 2+2, the car employs a modern design language. Beautiful proportions and pure, well-balanced volumes emphasize its elegant and sophisticated style.

In particular, the long, smooth lines that flow from the front bonnet to the rear accentuate the taut side silhouette and the volume of the fastback cabin located at the rear. Another major feature is the elimination of unnecessary details to achieve simple aesthetic beauty. In order not to detract from the elegant exterior design, a variable rear spoiler is used, which changes to three stages depending on speed and acceleration, generating a maximum of 95 kg of downforce at 250 km/h.

Interior: Equipped with a triple display for intuitive operation

The Roma’s human-machine interface (HMI) was completely redesigned during development, with everyday usability in mind. The steering wheel is based on the concept of “eyes on the road, hands on the wheel,” allowing drivers to operate the vehicle without taking their hands off the wheel. All information is centralized on a 16-inch digital instrument panel, which is equipped with a vertical 8.4-inch center display and a passenger display in front of the passenger seat.

Ferrari Roma size

The Ferrari Roma’s size also emphasizes ease of use, balancing maneuverability with front-seat space, while also offering top-class visibility and ease of entry and exit.

Body size: A size that is easy to use in everyday life

The overall height of 1,301 mm is not too low for a supercar. The seating position is higher than that of the 296 GTB and SF90 Stradale, and consideration has been given to everyday use, such as ensuring visibility and ease of getting in and out. The overall length of 4,656 mm and width of 1,974 mm are standard for a sports car, so handling should not be a major issue. The wheelbase is 2,670 mm, the same as the Portofino, with which it shares a platform.

Interior space: Plenty of space in the front seats

The front engine and long nose/short deck design ensure ample space in the front seats. It is said to be large enough to accommodate even tall drivers without any problems. In addition, the dual cockpit concept provides separate spaces that envelop the driver on both sides, ensuring visual and physical personal space.

Ferrari calls it a “+2 seater,” but the rear seats are primarily for luggage, on par with the Porsche 911 and Aston Martin DB11, and are likely limited to short rides for small adults and children.

Ferrari Roma’s driving performance and fuel economy

Like most modern supercars, the Ferrari Roma was developed with a focus on both driving performance and fuel economy, achieving a high level of balance between the two.

Driving performance: Powertrain and platform support powerful and agile driving

The Ferrari Roma is equipped with a 90-degree V8 3855cc twin-turbo engine that produces a maximum output of 620 PS at 5750-7500 rpm and a maximum torque of 760 Nm at 3000-5750 rpm. This power is transmitted to the rear wheels via an 8-speed DCT, allowing the car to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds and reach a top speed of over 320 km/h.

Although it shares the same platform as the Portofino, approximately 70% of the components are newly developed. By achieving both high rigidity and light weight, it achieves a segment-leading power-to-weight ratio of 2.37 kg/PS. Handling responsiveness has also been improved.

Fuel efficiency: New generation 8-speed DCT

In the WLTP cycle, it consumes 11.2L/100km, or roughly 8.9km per liter of gasoline. This is likely due in large part to the transmission. Instead of the 7-speed DCT found in the California and Portofino, the Roma uses the highly efficient 8-speed DCT found in the SF90 Stradale.

The 8-speed DCT is approximately 6 kg lighter than the 7-speed unit and allows for lower engine speeds at high speeds, resulting in quick and smooth gear changes and contributing to reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

Ferrari Roma purchase price and maintenance costs

The Ferrari Roma costs around 30 million yen, plus options and other costs. Even after purchasing, maintenance costs, especially voluntary insurance, can be expensive.

Purchase price: The cost of a new car is over 30 million yen

The Ferrari Roma, which was officially announced in Japan in April 2020, was priced at 26.82 million yen at the time. Three years later, in May 2023, the price had increased to 28.7 million yen. The open-top Roma Spider, which was introduced to the Japanese market at the same time, was announced to be priced at 32.8 million yen, about 4 million yen more than the coupe body. Including options and other fees, buying a new Ferrari Roma would cost around 35 million yen.

By the way, the manufacturer’s suggested retail price in the US market is approximately $243,360 for the 2024 model Coupe and $277,970 for the Spider. Calculated at 140 yen to the dollar, this comes to approximately ¥34 million and ¥38.9 million, respectively. This includes options, registration fees, and state taxes.

Maintenance costs: Expensive optional insurance

In the case of a Ferrari Roma, the combined annual cost of automobile tax, which is levied based on engine displacement, weight tax, which is determined by vehicle weight, and compulsory automobile liability insurance premiums comes to just over 90,000 yen. The cost of parts and labor required for maintenance varies depending on various factors, such as how the car is used, so this is only a guideline. Ferraris are categorized as having the highest tier of voluntary insurance premium rates by model, and vehicle insurance is also expensive. Including these, annual maintenance costs could reach around 2 million yen. A rough estimate is summarized below.

Ferrari Roma model explanation

The Ferrari Roma is available in two body styles: the coupe Roma and the open-top Roma Spider.

Ferrari Roma (Coupe)

The chassis is equipped with the latest SSC 6.0 (Side Slip Control) system, which includes F1-Traction Control, Electronically Controlled Differential 3, and Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer (FDE), providing outstanding steering feel and stability control. 70% of the components that make up the chassis and body shell have been newly developed, achieving both increased torsional rigidity and reduced weight, resulting in a segment-leading power-to-weight ratio of 2.37 kg/PS and a sharp, powerful ride.

The exterior aims for minimalism with clean headlights, flush door handles, a retractable rear spoiler, etc., while the fenders and rear end are fused with muscular strength. The interior also combines high-quality leather with aluminum and carbon fiber, providing a refined ride and visual satisfaction.

Ferrari Roma Spider

The Spider, which was released about three years after the coupe, featured specially designed A-pillars, sills, window frames, etc. The rear was also modified to accommodate the soft-top structure. Despite the highly rigid open body, the weight increase from the coupe was only 84 kg.

Ferrari Roma new and used car prices

When searching for a certified used Ferrari Roma, the cheapest one is a 2021 registered car with 21,000 km on the clock, costing 25.5 million yen. While a simple comparison isn’t possible because options are installed, considering the new car price of around 30 million yen, it’s safe to say the value hasn’t dropped much. Naturally, prices vary depending on the equipment and specifications, with a 2022 model with 258 km on the clock and a wide range of exterior and interior options going for over 40 million yen.

Frequently asked questions about the Ferrari Roma

Below we answer some of the most common questions about the Ferrari Roma.

Q1: Is the Ferrari Roma suitable for everyday use?

The Roma is a relatively calm model among Ferraris. In addition, with its 2+2 seating configuration, moderate vehicle height, and comfortable ride, it can be used for everyday use in urban areas and weekend drives. The exterior is also elegant but not too flashy, giving it a modest impression, so it will blend in naturally and seamlessly with Japanese cities.

Q2: Is the Roma the successor to the Portofino?

Although it is not considered a direct successor, it shares many technical similarities, such as the platform and engine. Its front-midship 2+2 coupe design is also similar to the Portofino and the California before it. The Roma Spider is essentially considered the successor to the Portofino M. The coupe Roma is positioned as a “new gateway to Ferrari,” offering a more minimalist and sophisticated style.

Q3: Does the Ferrari Roma break down often?

Contrary to the conventional image, current Ferraris, including the Roma, are highly reliable. A seven-year maintenance program is included as standard, and if you have regular inspections at an authorized dealer, the risk of trouble is thought to be low. However, as it is still a high-performance car, tires and brakes wear out quickly, and if left unused for a long period of time, the battery is likely to die and warning lights may come on, so care must be taken.

How to buy a Ferrari Roma

Cornes Motors, which has been importing Ferraris since the 1960s, is the exclusive importer. New cars are also sold by authorized dealers other than Cornes, and are available at 29 stores nationwide, mainly in major metropolitan areas from Hokkaido to Kyushu. Considering maintenance and other factors, it’s safer to buy a certified used car from an authorized dealer.

PHOTO／Ferrari SpA

Related reading

Ferrari’s elegant GT coupe “Roma” and “Roma Spider” bring the sweet life to you [Ferrari Directory: 33]

Following the Ferrari open-top Portofino M, the GT sports car Roma was added to the series model lineup. It is an elegant 2+2 coupe, but it is a high-performance sports car equipped with a 3.9-liter V8 twin-turbo engine that produces a maximum output of 620 PS in the front. We will explain it together with the Roma Spider, which was added later.