Arrivederci Roma, Ciao Amalfi: Ferrari's new 'everyday Ferrari' aims for daily usability with a 640-hp V8

Ferrari has unveiled the Amalfi, its new flagship two‑seat GT that the company markets as an “everyday Ferrari.” Priced from £202,459, the car replaces the Roma, Ferrari’s Roma‑era grand tourer launched in 2019, and is designed to address customer feedback about the previous model’s reliance on touchscreen controls and a removed Start button. The Amalfi is powered by a 3.9‑litre twin‑turbo V8 producing 640 horsepower, enabling 0 to 62 mph in 3.3 seconds and a top speed of about 198.4 mph. Ferrari says the car is more approachable for daily driving while maintaining its performance credentials, with an emphasis on throttle and gear responsiveness and aerodynamic stability. UK deliveries are slated for spring 2026, with first right‑hand‑drive customers receiving units early next year.

The Amalfi’s design is described by Ferrari as an evolution of the Roma, featuring a refreshed exterior with every panel new and a more restrained, minimalist look at the front. Inside, the car blends high‑tech elements with a return to tactile controls. The steering wheel has physical buttons again, including a dedicated Start button on the lower left side, and the left spoke carries controls for ADAS, adaptive cruise control, phone, and voice commands. The right spoke handles display views, windscreen wipers, and indicators. In all, Ferrari says the Amalfi aims to deliver faster responses to throttle and gear changes while keeping the driver connected to the machine.

The Amalfi uses a 10.25‑inch digital instrument cluster and a driver‑focused cockpit, with a two‑plus seating arrangement and Isofix anchors for child seats in the rear. Ferrari notes that the back seat is limited to small children, reflecting the car’s sports‑car DNA. The model also restores a more tangible link between driver and machine, reintroducing the iconic ignition button and offering the option to retrofit existing Roma customers with a steering wheel that features physical controls—though without the engine start button. Two back‑of‑wheel rotary dials allow the driver to adjust volume and radio functions without taking hands off the wheel.

The Amalfi’s drive experience was tested on Portugal’s Algarve roads, where damp conditions and uneven pavement tested grip and chassis balance. Ferrari provides drive modes that span wet, comfort, and sport, with the latter engaging more of the vehicle’s performance characteristics while maintaining manageability for everyday use. The car’s brake‑by‑wire system provides a proportional feel, and an active rear wing adds downforce at speed to maintain stability. In testing, the car stopped from 62 mph in about 30.8 metres and from 124 mph in roughly 119.5 metres. The 8‑speed dual‑clutch gearbox enables rapid gear changes with a manual override for interested drivers.

Ferrari emphasizes that the Amalfi is not merely about brute speed. The company highlights improved throttle and gear responsiveness, particularly in third and fourth gears, and a balance of power with refined aerodynamics to support road manners. The exhaust gives a distinctive Ferrari soundtrack when the driver chooses to unlock the car’s full potential.

Prices for options are extensive and can significantly raise the sticker price. The options list includes £8,316 for special colours, £7,501 for Magneride dual‑shaft suspension, £7,837 for a carbon fibre rear diffuser, £3,359 for carbon fibre exterior mirrors, £5,039 for a carbon fibre instrument cluster, £5,598 for a two‑tone leather interior, and £3,302 for Daytona seats. Ferrari also offers add‑ons such as bespoke weekend bags for £5,262 and the option to apply Scuderia Ferrari shields to the fenders for £1,231. A Cabriolet version with a fabric roof is anticipated, but no official confirmation has been issued.

The return to physical controls follows a public back‑and‑forth with Ferrari customers who criticized the Roma for its touchscreen‑heavy interface and the absence of a conventional ignition button. Ferrari executives said the feedback was loud and clear, and the Amalfi is a deliberate re‑centering of driver interaction around tactile controls and a more intuitive control layout. The company also noted ongoing concerns in the broader auto industry about touchscreen distraction and driver attention, pointing to a broader push among manufacturers to strike a balance between advanced digital interfaces and hands‑on operation.

From a practical standpoint, the Amalfi maintains a compact footprint for a modern GT, with a length of about 4,660 mm, a width near 1,974 mm, and a height around 1,301 mm. The car’s dry weight is listed at about 1,479 kg, with a 50:50 weight distribution that helps stability through fast corners. Boot capacity is 273 litres, and the two‑seat configuration means there is limited space for passengers. The car’s mid‑engine layout and the rear‑drive bias contribute to its agile handling, especially in the continuous chicanes and tight switchbacks typical of Europe’s scenic routes.

Ferrari’s Amalfi project signals an industry pattern: even high‑end brands are rethinking digital interfaces in favor of tactility and driver engagement, while still delivering the performance and connectivity modern buyers demand. The Amalfi’s balance of power, daily usability, and hands‑on controls may appeal to buyers who want a high‑performance car that can be driven regularly without the frenetic demands of track‑centric machines.

Image considerations help illustrate the balance Ferrari seeks to strike between design and function.

As the Amalfi nears production, potential buyers will weigh the new model’s price and option spectrum against its improved user interface and everyday usability claims. First UK deliveries are planned for spring 2026, with European and other markets following later in the year. The Roma’s era is officially over, replaced by a model Ferrari says is more closely aligned with how many customers actually want to interact with a high‑performance car today.