Ferrari has revealed a new 612bhp V8 front-engined coupé called the Roma, featuring bold styling to try to capture a new audience.
The new model, unveiled in the Italian capital and set to go on sale next summer with a starting price of around £175,000, shares some underpinnings the Ferrari Portofino drop-top but has all-new styling – including active aerodynamics – and a revamped and upgraded powertrain.
Described by the Italian firm as an all-new model, Ferrari commercial chief Enrico Galliera said it represents "a new gran turismo". "Nobody can question this is a sports car," he said, "but it's also very elegant."
Galleria said that the Roma has been designed to appeal to potential customers who would "love to drive a sports car or a Ferrari but might be a bit afraid of one." He added: "This car will attract people who have never driven a sports car, who drive something less aggressive and now want something a bit more extreme."
The fifth new model Ferrari has launched in 2019, the Roma is termed a 2+ coupé, thanks to the option of two small seats or a storage compartment in the rear.
The Roma has a retro design that Ferrari design chief Flavio Manzoni said was inspired by classic front-engined Ferraris from the 1960s, such as the 250 GT Berlinetta and 2+2. Despite that, Manzoni said the design is intended to look to the future. "We don't like the nostalgic approach," he said. "We like to innovate. The idea was to develop a car that would be perfect to take to the track and then to drive to the opera."
The Aston Martin Vantage and Mercedes-AMG GT rival features a bold, new-look grille - described as a porous surface – at the end of its elongated front bonnet, which Manzonio said was inspired by the simplicity of Formula 1 cars. There are also sharp lines over the wheel arches and a notable bulge in the front bonnet.
The rear features a sloping window, distinctive, narrow lights and quad exhausts. An active rear spoiler integrated into the rear screen deploys automatically at high speeds for optimal downforce and features three different settings.
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Styled by Braun?
Front end styled by Braun electric foil shavers!
Ambivalence
The studio shots make them look a bit wierd to me , kinda squashed down in the corners of the bonnet.
Wheres in the shots outside, They look pretty good
Will be watching out for one, in the flesh is always different. May also be very colour dependant.
One of the cleanest, least
One of the cleanest, least-fussy and uncluttered designs to appear for quite a while. A bit like what Aston was doing with the gorgeous, previous-generation cars (DB9, V8 Vantage, etc.), and what Ferrari used to do. Possibly a return to the classic, front-engined Ferrari GT (albeit without a V12) at a price point Ferrari used to play in.