UPDATE: Ferrari spokesperson confirmed... "The car is 100% the product of the Ferrari Centro Stile and Flavio Manzoni’s team."
Despite Ferrari’s design being heavily criticized in recent years, most people agree that the new Ferrari Roma is one of the best looking Ferraris in a long time. Maranello’s latest twin-turbo V8 GT appears sleek and reserved, and it is being compared to other low-key supercars such as Aston Martins and Porsches. Yes, these days you can be classy and minimal while also having 612 horsepower, launching from 0-62 mph in 3.4 seconds, and sounding like an Italian monster. This is all thanks to the sweeping, elegant design of the Roma.
Though the new F-car is not as flashy as the recent SF90 Stradale, there is definitely a strong essence of Ferrari design language on display. The headlights and nose are very similar to the topless Ferrari Monza, which harkens to Ferraris of the '60s, and the big back end with quad tail lights and exhaust resemble other GT models like the 612 and 456. So yes, this is a real Ferrari with real Ferrari numbers. Or is it?
When in Roma...
Rumor has it the newest prancing horse may have a more direct Italian influence, only it wouldn't technically be from Ferrari. Yes, the Ferrari Roma may be connected to the Maserati Alfieri and not be in the Portofino family as the specs suggest. The Alfieri was revealed as a concept car in 2014, and production has been delayed until 2020 when it will replace the current GranTurismo. While the Alfieri is expected with various V6 engine options, and even a plug-in hybrid version, the concept was presented with the iconic Ferrari 136 V8 Engine. And, of course, all this speculation is strongly supported by viewing the Roma and Alfieri side-by-side.
The Alfieri’s sharp LED headlights and nose, the multi-piece front splitter and front wheel arches, and the rounded rear with horizontal tail lights all favor the Ferrari Roma. After five years of development and a new generation of V8 Ferrari engines, it is easy to speculate how the design of the Roma could have been based on the Maserati. 2020 should prove us right, as the Maserati Alfieri will make its production debut.
Regardless of the origin of the Ferrari Roma, the car will sell very well. We will eventually see how this new offering compares to its class on the track and in the real world, but on paper the Roma looks very impressive. If Ferrari is going to keep making more models and increase production numbers, I’m at least glad they are stealing customers from the likes of Aston Martin and Mercedes AMG.
To see what the Ferrari community is saying about the New Ferrari Roma, check out the Roma forum at FerrariChat.com and don't miss this hot thread with pictures from the reveal in Rome. We’d love to hear your thoughts on the car, so please join the conversation!