The Ferrari Roma Is One Sweet Ride

A fabulous reimagination of the la dolce vita spirit of the 1960s, it’s both beautiful to look at and to drive.

- David Khoo

Is there such a thing as a low-key Ferrari? Well, Ferrari seems to think so. What’s more, the Prancing Horse reckons its latest Roma GT coupe will appeal to both newcomers to the brand as well as existing owners of its mid-engined V8 and front-engined V12 models.

But first, let’s get the elephant in the room out of the way: no, the Roma doesn’t look like an Aston Martin Vantage or a Mercedes-AMG GT for that matter, certainly not in the flesh — the other front-engined or rear-drive coupes in the market today should be so lucky.

The similarity in silhouette to the other fastback coupes in the segment conforms to the classic GT coupe proportions of long bonnet and dynamic derrière, which are common to all in the genre. Naturally, it is the little elements that make (or break) each car.

Like other Ferraris, the elegantly styled Roma is designed in-house by the Ferrari Centro Stile and is one of the most beautiful modern Ferraris we’ve seen to date. It convincingly combines elegant proportions with subtle modern elements (like the “dashes” that serve as tail lights), and never comes across as an exercise in retro indulgence.

From its powerful stance, aggressive “shark nose” and muscular rear haunches, there’s a sense of sporty purpose to the Roma that belies its GT credentials. However, compared to the look-at-me styling of its rivals, the 1960s design inspiration for the Roma is more beauty than beast, which is a welcome return to a time when style was effortlessly chic rather than contrived.