A "Dolce Vita" Reborn for Modern Times – Report from the Ferrari Roma Launch Event

Ferrari Roma

LA NUOVA DOLCE VITA — A "Dolce Vita" Reborn for Modern Times

Ferrari has announced an all-new model,the "Roma".The author, who attended the world premiere in Rome, the Italian capital and the car's namesake, reports on the details.

Text by Koichi Yamaguchi

A Concept of "Understated Luxury"

Ferrari's latest coupe model, the "Roma," was unveiled at a special venue built on the grounds of the Stadio Olimpico di Roma, which hosted the 1960 Rome Olympics. A red carpet led to the entrance, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a fashion show or international film festival.

Stepping through the entrance, we entered a dimly lit corridor, like a tunnel, which opened into a space that defied expectations for a car launch event. Immediately inside, a massive bar counter lined with an array of liquor bottles stretched across one wall, while a lavish chandelier suspended from the ceiling exuded a sense of gravitas.

The spacious ballroom-like area featured antique-style chairs, tables, and sofas arranged to face a stage at the front, creating an ambiance akin to a luxury hotel lounge. Large screens displayed sequences from Federico Fellini's iconic 1960 film "La Dolce Vita," which depicted the hedonistic lifestyles of Rome's celebrities in the 1950s, along with the words "LA NUOVA DOLCE VITA (The New Sweet Life)."

Soon, Enrico Galliera, Ferrari's Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer, appeared before the bar counter and began speaking, cappuccino in hand.

"Rome is a city that symbolizes art, culture, architecture, and beauty. Rome also represents the Italian lifestyle. Whenever I visit Rome, I always make time to savor this beautiful city. For example, by enjoying a cappuccino or an aperitif at a charming cafe on the famous Via Veneto."

"Close your eyes while sipping a cappuccino, and you'll be instantly transported to 1960s Rome. That era, when people were vibrant and full of life's pleasures, was known worldwide as the age of 'La Dolce Vita.' It's also famously depicted in the Italian film of the same name, starring Marcello Mastroianni, which celebrates living life to the fullest in Rome."

Incidentally, the Via Veneto mentioned by Galliera in his speech is one of Rome's most exclusive areas, lined with cafes and luxury hotels where the journalist played by Mastroianni and the American actress played by Anita Ekberg, the film's heroine, frequented and indulged in revelry. The classic hotel where we journalists were accommodated was also situated on the Via Veneto, a setting from the film.

Galliera continued,

"What we are trying to achieve here is to revive that special era in Rome, 'La Dolce Vita,' for the modern age. That is 'La Nuova Dolce Vita' (The New Sweet Life). It's about how we approach our daily lives and enjoy them."

"We lead busy lives. Finding time amidst that busyness to enjoy what we love. For instance, switching off our smartphones and savoring a cappuccino while gazing at the beautiful cityscape from our favorite cafe. For us, that would be a truly precious moment."

How can such values be embodied in a car? As it is a Ferrari, Galliera emphasized the importance of delivering the ultimate fun-to-drive experience, adding,

"We realized that some Ferrari owners, who enjoy moments at cafes on Via Veneto and savor life, desire a fantastic Ferrari with top performance, but with a modern and understated styling that they can drive every day, from winding roads to city trips to the theater or cafes."

This led to the concept of 'understated luxury.'

An F1 Car Dressed in an Evening Gown

"Looking back at our history, for example, in the 1960s, there were many models with elegant and beautiful designs. People's fashion was elegant then, and their style of driving was also beautiful. That was luxury. We have brought this heritage into the modern era and developed it as a completely new Gran Turismo."

Prior to the announcement of this new model, it was widely speculated among journalists that a coupe version of the Portofino would be introduced. However, upon seeing the Roma unveiled on stage, it was immediately clear, as Galliera stated, that this was a completely new GT car.

The elongated body, with its long nose and short deck, lacked the familiar elements such as emotional character lines, deeply sculpted air intakes, or intricate aerodynamic devices. It was evident that a design language distinct from Ferrari's current lineup had been employed.

The body, composed of glamorous yet delicate curves, was breathtakingly fluid and filled with classical beauty. The horizontal taillights, rather than being circular, seemed to assert that this was a completely new GT, not merely a derivative of the Portofino.

While the press release stated that the design drew inspiration from Ferrari's classic GT cars such as the "250 GT Berlinetta Lusso" and "250 GT 2+2," Flavio Manzoni, Ferrari's Chief Design Officer, explained that the styling was not intended to be purely nostalgic.

"An F1 car dressed in an evening gown – that was the design theme for the Roma," said Flavio.

To achieve a balance between high performance and elegant style, Ferrari's development team also introduced new technologies. One example is the movable rear spoiler integrated with the rear screen. This can be seen as a device symbolizing the concept of 'understated luxury.'

The interior features a "dual cockpit concept," designed to separate the driver and passenger areas. The driver's seat is engineered with the philosophy of "eyes on the road, hands on the wheel," with a thoroughly refined interface allowing most vehicle operations to be controlled from the steering wheel. Meanwhile, the passenger side also includes a dedicated display for vehicle information, enabling the passenger to actively enjoy the drive.

The Roma, advertised as a "2+ coupe," is equipped with small rear seats, similar to those in the Porsche 911. This reflects the Roma's development as a Gran Turismo. The rear seat space, suitable for storing bags or jackets, is highly practical for both daily use and long-distance touring.

The powertrain is the V8 turbo engine that also powers the F8 Tributo and Portofino, and has won the International Engine of the Year award for four consecutive years. While the displacement is the same 3,855cc as the Portofino, the maximum output is increased to 456 kW (620 ps) at 5,750-7,500 rpm, a 20 ps increase over the Portofino. The maximum torque remains the same at 760 Nm at 3,000-5,750 rpm. Meticulous attention has also been paid to the engine sound, with a completely redesigned exhaust system that omits the silencer and adopts newly developed bypass valves.

The transmission is a new 8-speed dual-clutch unit, first introduced in the SF90 Stradale. Despite having one more gear than the previous 7-speed version, it is said to be more compact.

The chassis utilizes modular technology developed by Ferrari for its new generation of models, with 70 percent of the components being newly designed, resulting in a weight reduction of 75 kg. This combination of a lighter chassis and increased engine power achieves a class-leading power-to-weight ratio of 2.37 kg/ps. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 320 km/h.

The vehicle dynamics system has also been updated for Ferrari's latest model. For instance, the Side Slip Control 6.0, now in its sixth generation, is adopted for the first time in a Ferrari GT model. Additionally, it features the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer, which controls yawing by hydraulically adjusting brake caliper pressure. While developed as a new-generation Gran Turismo, the Roma, being a new Ferrari model, achieves an exceptionally high level of driving dynamics.

The Ferrari Roma has masterfully surprised journalists and media representatives from around the world. If director Federico Fellini were alive and creating a modern version of "La Dolce Vita," one would certainly wish for the Roma to be featured in it. It's hard to find a coupe that evokes such a glamorous and elegant lifestyle among its rivals. The price in Italy starts from 200,000 euros, with deliveries expected to begin around mid-2020.