The Ferrari Roma is here in Malaysia. Naza Italia, official importer and distributor of the Ferrari brand in Malaysia, will have it available for private viewing (by appointment only) until 29 June 2020. The Ferrari Roma exemplifies the concept of the Nuova Dolce Vita (the new sweet life), and is a symbol of luxury and timeless elegance. Its signature Italian styling presents a contemporary reinterpretation of the carefree lifestyle of mid-twentieth century Rome, its apt namesake.
“The Ferrari Roma evokes a sense of nostalgia with its classical styling and elegant silhouette – a tribute to the foundational Ferraris and sweet life of Italy’s fashionable and carefree capital city during the 1950s and ‘60s. This stunning coupé presents timeless elegance and urban sophistication whilst also emerging as the pinnacle of performance in its category. We’re delighted to introduce this graceful addition to the local market,” said Dato’ Nik Hamdam Nik Hassan, Group CEO, Automotive Group, Naza Corporation Holdings Sdn Bhd.
The Roma is a mid-front engined V8 2+ coupé. As a pure grand tourer (GT), the Roma is characterised by a clean form. Its harmonious proportions and elegantly balanced volumes are in line with the brand’s mid-front-engined grand touring tradition, such as the iconic 250 GT Berlinetta lusso and 250 GT 2+2.
Its sleek lines sweep back from the front bonnet and the front overhang creates a shark nose effect. The wide front bonnet and sinuous wings flow into one another, in line with Ferrari’s traditional styling cues. The designers sought to preserve the minimalist elegance of the car’s forms by removing any vents or superfluous decorations. For example, engine cooling is guaranteed by surfaces locally perforated only where strictly necessary, creating a new interpretation of the grille concept. Additionally, the car was designed without the Scuderia Ferrari side shields, reflecting the approach taken with the road cars of the 1950s.
The two linear full LED headlights give the front a distinctive character and are traversed by a horizontal light strip in a nod to the iconic Ferrari Monza SPs. The leitmotif of the Roma design is its purity, evidenced by the active rear spoiler integrated into the rear screen. The tail of the car has a modern interpretation. Technological developments have made it possible to reduce the dimensions of the tail light assemblies, resulting in a minimalist form. The twin taillights look like gems set into the volume while linear light strips create a continuous virtual line. A compact diffuser that incorporates the fences and the exhausts completes the rear of the car.
The Matrix LED optional headlight system can detect another vehicle in its light range and selectively and automatically turns off the area of the beam that would dazzle the other driver. Further, if the system detects a high number of other vehicles, it may completely dim the lights and then only turn the high beams back on either partly or completely when the road is free. If the car is on a motorway or a ring road the system can avoid dazzling cars coming in the opposite direction.
When it encounters reflective road signs, the system can also reduce the intensity of the individual LEDs to make driving more comfortable. Another of the Matrix LED headlights’ interesting features is that they can adapt the area illuminated by the low beams to suit the driving context.
Paired to the engine is the new 8-speed dual-clutch gearbox. It is more compact and 6 kg lighter than its 7-speed predecessor. Besides reducing fuel consumption and emissions, shifts are faster and smoother thanks to the use of low-viscosity oil and a dry sump configuration to minimise fluid-dynamic efficiency losses. This results in even more responsive acceleration on the open road, and also a comfortable in town and during stop & start driving situations.
The gearbox is derived from the new 8-speed gearbox introduced in the SF90 Stradale. The main modifications are longer gear ratios and the introduction of a reverse gear (which is not used in the SF90 Stradale gearbox as the electric motor is used for this). Further, the new clutch module is 20% smaller but delivers 35% more torque than the previous 7-speed. The transmission software strategy has been evolved with a more powerful ECU and better integration with the engine management software. This has made the shifts quicker, smoother and more consistent.
The Ferrari Roma boasts Variable Boost Management, a control software developed by Ferrari that adjusts torque delivery to suit the gear selected, delivering increasingly powerful pick-up as revs rise, whilst optimising fuel consumption. As the car goes up through the gears the amount of torque delivered by the engine increases all the way up to 760 Nm in 7th and 8th gear. This has allowed Ferrari to use longer gear ratios in the higher gears, which helps keep fuel consumption and emissions down, while adopting a steeper torque curve through the rev range in the lower gears for a feeling of smooth, consistent pick-up.
The Side Slip Control 6.0 concept (a first on a Ferrari GT car) incorporates an algorithm that delivers a precise estimate of sideslip to the on-board control systems. The SSC 6.0 integrates systems such as the E-Diff, F1-Trac, SCM-E Frs and Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer, the latter debuting in the Race position on the Ferrari Roma. The aim of the 5-position manettino – Wet, Comfort, Sport, Race, ESC Off – is to make the Ferrari Roma’s handling and grip more accessible which, together with the car’s basic mechanical set-up, makes the Roma extremely entertaining to drive.
Another feature in the Roma is the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer. This is a lateral dynamic control system which gently adjusts brake pressure at the caliper on one or more wheels depending on the situation. It is available solely in the Race setting of the manettino but is not a stability control system. It works with the traditional ESC to make the sideslip dynamics smoother, more predictable and controllable.
The Ferrari Roma generates 95 kg more downforce at 250 km/h than Ferrari’s other 2+ model, the Portofino. This is achieved by using vortex generators in the front underbody and active aerodynamics at the rear. Using a special mechanism, the rear spoiler can deploy into three different positions: Low Drag, Medium Downforce, and High Downforce. In LD mode, the mobile element is flush with the rear screen, allowing air to flow over it and making it invisible to the flow. When deployed to its maximum height (HD), the mobile element creates a 135 degree angle with the surface of the rear screen, thus generating around 95 kg of downforce at 250 km/h yet increasing drag by a mere 4%. In medium downforce mode (MD), the mobile element generates around 30% of maximum downforce with an increase in drag of under 1%.
The mechanism is activated by an electric motor in relation to speed and longitudinal and lateral acceleration. In low speed situations, when downforce has only a modest impact on the car’s performance, the spoiler automatically goes into LD position. This configuration is maintained until the car hits a speed of 100 km/h.
When over 300 km/h, the spoiler is always in MD mode for a more balanced car. In speed ranges in which downforce plays a pivotal role in performance, the spoiler is in MD position and its movement depends on the car’s longitudinal and lateral acceleration. The position of the mobile spoiler is not selected manually. Its activation threshold value is variable and linked to the manettino position. This choice was made because of the desire to harmonise the integration of downforce generation with the vehicle dynamics controls. In high performance handling or braking situations, the mobile element moves to HD configuration, generating maximum downforce and making the car aerodynamically balanced.
Ferrari has also introduced its optional ADAS (SAE Level 1) systems: Adaptive Cruise Control – which can be commanded directly from the steering wheel for faster, safer interaction – Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Departure warning with Traffic Sign Recognition, Blind Spot Detection with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Surround View Camera.
The cabin features an evolution of the Dual Cockpit concept. Unlike the Prancing Horse’s sports cars, which are more driver-oriented, the Roma’s cabin has an almost symmetrical structure which produces a more organic distribution of both spaces and functional elements. This is to involve the passenger in the driving experience, like a co-pilot.
The Roma’s F1 controls have been set into the central console in a modern metal plate which references an equally iconic feature from the past: the classic gear lever gate. This element is angled to make it easier for the driver to reach and see.
The use of exclusive materials such as the full-grain Frau leather, Alcantara, chromed aluminium and carbon fibre results in a modern and luxurious setting. Ferrari’s Human Machine Interface (HMI) gets a complete redesign, starting from the new Ferrari range steering wheel designed using the “Eyes on the road, hands on the wheel” philosophy. The instrumentation is now entirely digital with all the screens going completely black when the car is not running. But once the Engine Start button on the steering wheel is pushed, a “ceremony” of sorts begins that sees all the digital components gradually springing to life until the whole cockpit is aglow.
The instrument cluster comprises a single 16” HD screen that is curved to make it easier to read. In the default screen, the navigation and audio screens surround the large circular rev counter. The screen’s dimensions mean that there is huge flexibility in terms of personalising the displays, which are very easy to navigate using the steering wheel controls. For example, it is possible to select a full screen version of the navigation map for ease of use.
The new steering wheel introduces a series of multi-touch controls that allow the driver to control any aspect of the car without ever taking their hands off the wheel. Traditional controls include the 5-position manettino, headlights, windscreen wipers and indicators. The new haptic controls include a very practical touchpad on the right-hand spoke of the steering wheel which allows the driver to navigate the central cluster screens, while voice and Adaptive Cruise Control are on the left.
The new 8.4” HD central display set between the two cockpits is intuitive and easy to use. It incorporates the other infotainment, sat-nav and climate control functions. The passenger’s experience reaches a new level with the optional 8.8” colour Full HD touchscreen which not only displays the car’s performance figures and status, but can also be used to interact with its on-board system selecting music, viewing satnav information and managing air conditioning functions. So essentially, the passenger becomes a co-driver.
7 Years Maintenance
Ferrari’s unparalleled quality standards and increasing focus on client service underpin the extended seven-year maintenance programme offered with the Ferrari Roma. Available across the entire Ferrari range, the programme covers all regular maintenance for the first seven years of the car’s life. This scheduled maintenance is an exclusive service that allows clients the certainty that their car is being kept at peak performance and safety over the years. This very special service is also available to owners buying pre-owned Ferraris.
Regular maintenance (at intervals of either 20,000 km or once a year with no mileage restrictions), original spares and meticulous checks by staff trained directly at the Ferrari Training Centre in Maranello using the most modern diagnostic tools are just some of the advantages of the Genuine Maintenance programme. The service is available on all markets worldwide and from all Dealerships on the Official Dealership Network.
The Genuine Maintenance programme further extends the range of after-sales services offered by Ferrari to satisfy clients wishing to preserve the performance and excellence that are the signatures of all cars built at the factory in Maranello.
The Ferrari Roma is available from the base price of RM968,000.00 (before duties, customization options, taxes and insurance).
To make an appointment for private viewing between now and 29 June or for further details, contact the Ferrari Malaysia Showroom.
Keyword: Ferrari Roma Arrives In Malaysia