A Modern Classic: Discover the Ferrari Roma

I’ve spent enough time behind the Roma’s slender wheel to know this: the Ferrari Roma is the quietest kind of show-off. Parked up in front of a little trattoria, it doesn’t shout; it smirks. On a favorite ribbon of backroad, it turns silk into speed. And on a Tuesday commute, it feels like you’ve tricked life into giving you a weekend.

Ferrari pegs the Roma as a grand tourer, and that’s right on the nose. It borrows the spirit of those clean, uncluttered 1960s Ferraris, then threads in modern speed and tech. The numbers help the story along: a 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 with 612 hp and 561 lb-ft, 0–60 mph in a little over 3 seconds, and a top speed flirting with 200 mph. MSRP starts around $243,000—before you go wild with options (and you will).

Ferrari Roma design: old-school cool, modern restraint

The Ferrari Roma looks like it’s been edited by someone with taste. No big vents, no giant wings—just a long bonnet, tidy tail, and curves that catch light like a classic coupe. The prancing horse badges do the talking. I noticed right away the Roma works anywhere: black-tie drop-off, mountain pass, or just a late-night loop when you can’t sleep.

• Clean, low-drag bodywork with active rear spoiler
• LED “light blade” headlamps and a wide, unbroken grille
• Beautifully compact tail with quad exhausts

Ferrari Roma performance: the V8 that loves to sing

Ferrari’s 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 is one of those engines you remember. It wakes up quietly, then rips to redline with a metallic snarl that lands somewhere between opera and thunder. The 8-speed dual-clutch is crisp when you’re pushing and gentle when you’re not. I tried it on some properly rough city streets; the Roma’s adaptive dampers have just enough compliance in Comfort mode to keep coffee in the cup. Switch to Sport or Race, and the car tightens its core without punishing you.

• 612 hp, 561 lb-ft (760 Nm)
• 0–60 mph: ~3.2 seconds; Top speed: ~199 mph
• Rear-wheel drive, Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer for friendly limits
• EPA fuel economy: roughly 17–22 mpg depending on drive

I like how approachable the Roma is when you lean on it. The steering is quick but not twitchy, the brakes have that lovely firm Ferrari bite, and the chassis gives you feedback without chatter. If you’ve driven a 911 Turbo, the Roma feels a bit more romantic, a bit less clinical. The Aston Martin Vantage is a closer vibe match—though the Ferrari’s gearbox is sweeter when you’re slicing gears with those big metal paddles.

Inside the Ferrari Roma: dual cockpits and a bit of theater

Open the door and you get the “dual-cockpit” layout—driver and passenger each with their own space. The digital cluster is clear, the central 8.4-inch display runs HVAC and navigation, and there’s an optional passenger display so your co-pilot can play DJ, set nav, or just watch the revs climb. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are on the menu, and the ADAS suite brings adaptive cruise control if you tick the box.

Quirks? The touch-capacitive switchgear on the wheel can feel a tad oversensitive with winter gloves, and the haptic sliders take a minute to learn. The rear seats are 2+2 in the traditional sense: fine for kids, friends on short hops, or a weekend bag. On a Miami night out, they’re mostly symbolic—and that’s okay.

Ferrari Roma Spider: open-air glamour, same firepower

Prefer your grand tourer with a breeze? The Ferrari Roma Spider swaps a fixed roof for a fabric top that stows neatly. With the wind deflector up, I could chat at highway speeds without hollering—a small miracle. Performance barely blinks compared with the coupe, which means your sunset coast run still arrives ahead of schedule.

The living-with-it bits: price, ownership, daily reality

The Ferrari Roma starts around $243,000, and Ferrari typically keeps production on the discreet side—no numbered cap, just naturally limited supply. Reliability on newer Ferraris has improved substantially, and early Roma owners I spoke with reported minimal drama—mostly software niggles sorted with updates. Service intervals are reasonable for the segment, and the car feels happy doing both school runs and alpine passes. Just remember: options add up quickly. And yes, it’s rear-wheel drive only.

Add a tailored touch: mats that match the Roma’s vibe

To keep the interior as immaculate as the design deserves, consider bespoke mats from AutoWin. They offer options shaped specifically for the Roma—nappa leather, carbon-fiber pattern leather, alcantara, even sheepskin for those who enjoy a little rock-star indulgence.

There’s also a leather-trimmed set that pairs beautifully with the cabin’s stitching:

Ferrari Roma vs the usual suspects

Shopping the segment? Here’s how the Roma stacks up to a few rivals I’ve cross-shopped with owners:

Verdict: the Ferrari Roma nails the brief

Honestly, I wasn’t sure at first. Could a “restrained” Ferrari still feel special? After a week, I didn’t want to give the keys back. The Ferrari Roma is a modern classic—quick enough to make supercar owners nervous, elegant enough to fit in anywhere, and usable enough that you might actually rack up miles. If that’s not the whole point of a grand tourer, what is?

FAQ: Ferrari Roma

• How much is a Ferrari Roma? The Ferrari Roma starts around $243,000 before options.
• Is the Ferrari Roma a convertible? The coupe has a fixed roof, but the Ferrari Roma Spider is the soft-top variant with the same 612-hp V8 and a neat wind deflector.
• Is the Ferrari Roma a 4-seater? It’s a 2+2. The rear seats are best for kids or short trips, but handy for extra bags.
• What is the Ferrari Roma’s 0–60 time? Around 3.2 seconds for the coupe, depending on conditions and tires.
• Is the Ferrari Roma reliable? Early ownership feedback has been positive. As with any high-performance car, follow maintenance schedules and keep software updated.

Looking for tailored accessories? Explore Roma-specific mats here or the wider Ferrari range for more options.