FORECOURT
FERRARI ROMA Ferrari is pitching the Roma as a proper all-out GT car, but has it succeeded? Jack Evans finds out.
Power plant The 3.9 litre twin-turbocharged V8 produces 612bhp
THE KNOWLEDGE Ferrari Roma
Price (as tested): £170,984 Engine: 3.9-litre V8 Power: 612bhp Torque: 760Nm Max speed: 199mph O-60mph: 3.1 seconds MPG (combined): 25.2 Emissions: 255g/km CO2
WHAT IS IT? This is the car that Ferrari hopes will garner the interest of a whole new clientele – those looking for a comfortable yet involving cross-country GT car. And as a grand tourer, the Roma comes with a whole new range of requirements over and above Ferrari’s existing range of supercars. WHAT’S NEW? While the Roma shares many components with the Portofino convertible, this is far more than just the drop-top with a fixed roof. Ferrari has worked extensively to ensure that the Roma is just as good in the bends as it is ploughing along highways. The inside has been fitted with the latest equipment the firm has to offer, so while the exterior is very much a nod to Ferrari cars of old, the cabin is as cutting edge as they come. WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET? You’ll find the same 3.9-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine under the bonnet of the Roma as you would on the Portofino but extensive measures have allowed it to produce 20bhp more than the drop-top model, now making 612bhp. The Roma also benefits from a new eightspeed dual-clutch automatic that’s been refined and made smaller. WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE? How do you want a grand tourer to drive? You want it to be comfortable and refined, for sure, as well as fast in an understated way. And while the Roma achieves all of these traits, it’s the way this car handles when the roads get twisty that really impresses. The steering is classically Ferrari-quick off-centre. Oh, and then there’s the performance... The V8 gives the Roma a brawny, muscular kind of approach to acceleration, with a great deal of push available throughout the mid-range, although exploring the upper echelons of the rev counter is just as rewarding as riding the wave of torque available lower down. HOW DOES IT LOOK? Ferrari has gone through its back catalogue of greats for the Roma’s design inspiration. In our eyes, it is like nothing else that the firm offers today, with a classically designed front grille making a real impression. The sharp front end and razor-cut headlights give the car a real look of purpose, while the long bonnet section offers a classic look that has been used
20 | CarDealerMag.co.uk
