The Ferrari Roma is one of the latest addition to the Ferrari fleet and it’s a classic Ferrari GT with classy lines, a front-engine, and also a lot of luxury. It is one of the highest tech Ferarri cars on sale right now with its sophisticated interior and elegant exterior. The Roma takes inspiration from the classic Ferrari GT’s from the 1960s such as the 250 GTO and 250 GT Lusso. The Roma is meant to be one of the smaller GT’s since it is not here to take the crown away from Ferrari’s flagship GT, the 812. It is just another nice addition to the Ferrari fleet which wants to bring in more history and culture of the Italian brand.
It is however based on Ferrari’s entry-level model, the Portofino. The Portofino was introduced back in 2017 as the replacement for the outdated California T. The Portofino is powered by the same engine as the Roma yet other than that it is completely different. The Portofino is the entry-level Ferrari and is a convertible-coupe like-car with its folding metal roof. It is a very elegant car but its aim is not to reminisce the olden days of Ferrari and bring back elder designs inspired by culture and history. The Portofino is more outlandish with its sharper lines and edges. Inside it’s not as nice as the Roma but technology and luxury are still very good.
The Portofino and Roma are powered by the same 3.9 liter Ferrari twin-turbo V8 engine. The Roma pushes out 612hp and 561 lb-ft of torque whilst the Portofino pushes out 592hp and 561 lb-ft of torque. However, a new model called the Portofino M (M for modified) will come out soon and that pushes out the same power as the Roma. The Roma pushes to 60 in around 3.2 seconds whilst the Portofino does it in 3.5 seconds but we suspect the M will do it in 3.3 as it is a tad heavier and less aerodynamic than the Roma. The top speed of the Roma is just over 200 whilst the Portofino 199.
Meet The Roma
via: topgear.com
The Ferrari Roma is class. It’s elegant, stylish and it has sold. Just like a tailored Armani suit then. It’s a car that would never be seen in the rougher parts of the world. You’re most likely to see this car in the historic Italian city of Switzerland. This car carries so much culture and history it’s absolutely beautiful. It is the sort of car that Ferrari enthusiasts would love because it carries so much pedigree. It may be one of the cheaper Ferrari models and one of the smallest, but who cares? It’s the sort of car that would fit quite nicely in a Ferrari enthusiasts collection.
The Roma is a car that appeals most to existing Ferrari customers. It’s effortless in every single way being a 4-seater 2+2 GT. The rear seats are useless but that’s no surprise. It’s not like the F8 Tributo or the 812 Superfast at all. It’s not made to get tons of looks from everyone and cause a scene wherever it parks. It’s more of a subtle car but it will still attract attention. However, the attention this car will get will be more from enthusiasts, respecting this car. It’s a car that you respect rather than go crazy over. It’s not a flash showy-off car at all. It’s too classy for that.
So how much does this tailored Armani Suit on wheels cost? Base MSRP is $225,000 which is a lot. But it is the cheapest Gran Tourer Ferrari make as the next one up, the GTC4 Lusso T starts at $260,000. Yet the Roma is faster than the Lusso T. The Lusso T has slightly less power. The Roma is named after the Italian capital of you guessed it, Rome. It’s perfect to call the Roma, the Roma because let’s face it. Rome is full of culture, history, class, elegance, and style. Exactly what the Ferrari Roma is about then.
The Roma also has a far more technologically advanced interior than most Ferrari’s. It has a 16-inch touchscreen infotainment display and an optional passenger display. It has a digital steering wheel and a very traditional gear-selector inspired by some of the more traditional Ferrari’s such as the 575. It also has a split leather option whereby the front seats are a different color to the rear. It feels very driver-focused too with its digital display and its awesome cockpit-like feel.
Meet the Portofino
via: carguides.com.au
The Portofino is Ferrari’s entry-level car. The cheapest Ferrari that isn’t cheap. It starts at $215,000 exactly $10,000 less than the Roma. What’s the difference? A lot. The personality of the Portofino is far different. It is far more showy-offy than the Roma and the Portofino is more suited in Santa Monica or Monaco. It’s far livelier and it’s the sort of Ferrari, that those who have never owned a Ferrari would buy. It wouldn’t really be seen in a Ferrari collectors collection. In fact, the Portofino is more likely to be owned by the “new-rich.” A young entrepreneur. It’s a Playboy car one-hundred percent. If you won the lottery, this would be the car you buy.
The Portofino is a car that attracts attention from everyone. It just stands out so much that it would actually attract a lot of hate. It’s not the car’s fault. It just looks so Playboy like and the sort of car that your dentist would drive. It’s got 4-seats too like the Roma and it has a great interior. Inside you get a 10.2-inch landscape orientated touchscreen display. It is a very neat interior but it’s nowhere near as cool as the Roma.
It does, however, have a drop-top roof. This means you can “flex” your car even more. It will fit in very well in front of every Vegas casino out there. It’s a perfect hire car and it’s the sort of car you would want when you go on holiday. It is a blast and it has a beautiful engine. It does get a lot of stick from other Ferrari cars, calling it “the poor mans Ferrari” or “it’s not a proper Ferarri.” However, who cares? It’s a great car that’s different from the norms. It can be a GT, a supercar, and a coupe all at once. ~Its folding metal roof is a beauty.
Ther Portofino is named after the Italian fishing village of Portofino in Italy. Hence it has culture and heritage. It’s a very beautiful village with houses in all different colors. It’s perfect to name the Portofino after Portofino Italy because let’s face it, both have character and some sort of sparkle.
What Should You Buy?
via: autotimesnews.com
This is a very hard question. You can either save $10,000 and get yourself a slightly slower more outrageous car or spend an extra $10,000 and get a car with better technology, more power, more class, and more heritage. These two cars are so similar yet so different. The Roma is tamed more at an elder market that appreciates the elder classic Ferrari’s and also their heritage both in culture, motorsport, and history. It’s a car that is like a historic Italian town. Very historic and very rich in culture. You would need a mansion though to own this car as let’s face it, this car does not fit in well with most cars even if they are in the Hollywood hills.
The Portofino is far sexier. It’s a beauty with its sharp lines. If the Roma is a tailored Armani Suit then the Portofino is a sexy Versace red dress. It’s a car that carries a lot of presence and it would suit the Hollywood hills very well or even a Yacht scene in Monaco. It is a stiletto heel this car despite it being the cheapest Ferrari on sale. It is exotic and it is fun.
If you want a more traditional Ferrari, you may be an enthusiast, a collector, or even someone a tad older, then you should get a Roma. Full-stop. The Roma is the sort of car that would be best suited to it being photographed by a black and white camera. It’s a sharp crisp car. It is a gentleman’s car. It also has groundbreaking technology. But it is one boring car. It has no sparkle or wow-factor. It’s a car that’s just nice. Its design doesn’t send you crazy and in no way shape or form would you have this as computer wallpaper or bedroom poster. It’s less Miami vice and more Les Miserables.
If you want to show off then buy the Portofino. Everyone will hate you but who cares? No Ferrari collector would want one as it’s the “cheapest Ferrari” yet it’s amazing. If you are young, with new-money and you want a car that is quite comfortable and easy to drive then this is the one. It’s fast yet it’s a supermodel. It prefers to be photographed rather than driven. It’s a proper posey car this. It is though a bit too showy-offy and it is a bit too rebellious towards Ferrari’s historic values and culture. It is the least Ferrari like Ferrari on sale right now.
Featured image credits via: gtspirit.com