Amalfi: the gateway to the exclusive Ferrari universe

From Italy's capital to the rugged Amalfi Coast with spectacular views of the glamorous island of Capri. Ferrari is changing the entry-level model to its exclusive range, and so is its name: from Roma to Amalfi. The car will begin deliveries in 2026 and is priced at €240,000 in Italy.

It's not a radical change, but rather an evolution of the car launched in 2020. In fact, the dimensions are almost the same: 4.66 meters long, 1.97 meters wide, and 1.3 meters high. The wheelbase and track width also remain unchanged, confirming that the chassis has undergone minimal modifications, and its mounting points have also been retained.

Only the crystals are preserved

However, Flavio Manzoni (Ferrari's design director) explains that " there were changes in the installation of some technical components and this allowed us to redesign the bodywork. This is the case of the front, where the grille is no longer there, replaced by a porous surface, because the height has changed and because it was necessary to place a higher radar." Manzoni also explains that "all the body panels are new and only the glass surface of the Roma has been retained." Its aesthetics are inspired by its predecessor, but a more modern shape has been sculpted, with a minimalist treatment.

The taillights evoke classic Ferrari models, the wide diffuser openly declares its aerodynamic purpose, while the rear window merges with the profile of the spoiler. The launch color, Verde Costiera, inspired by the reflections of the sea along the Amalfi Coast, aims to highlight the bodywork surfaces.

2+2 Coupe with 640 hp

The 2+2 coupé configuration is also maintained (the mini rear seats will almost always be used as additional luggage space and not for Lilliputian passengers) and with a 3.9-litre front mid-mounted V8 engine that now delivers faster response, maintains the maximum torque figure (760 Nm) but the power rises from 620 to 640 hp. In this way, the Amalfi can reach 100 km/h in one-tenth of a second less than the Roma (now 3.3 s) and reach 200 km/h in 9.0 s (compared to 9.3).

The active movable wing (previously featured on the Roma) can assume three positions: low drag, medium downforce, and high downforce. On the straight line, the wing remains in the middle two positions to minimize drag, while during more dynamic driving (high-speed cornering or hard braking, for example) it switches to third, generating an increase in downforce of 110 kg at 250 km/h with an increase in drag of less than 4%. The wing operates automatically and preserves the purity of the Amalfi's lines at low speeds, enhancing the driving experience when the Ferrari genes kick in.

Improve overall driving

Tweaks and new technologies have also been introduced to improve the overall handling: "It's a quieter car in the more moderate positions of the manettino (the steering wheel-mounted selector used to select driving modes), especially in Wet and Comfort. But it also manages to be more energetic, dynamic, and sporty in the right-hand positions of the selector. And to achieve this, we needed different systems and devices, not just software calibrations."

For example, Italian engineers highlight a new generation of ABS (Evo) and improved Side Slip Control compared to the Roma, both systems developed for a car with over 1,000 horsepower (the SF90 Stradale). The throttle response is now faster.

The Amalfi is factory-fitted with tyres developed in collaboration with two regular suppliers: Bridgestone (Potenza Sport) and Pirelli (P ZERO), with dimensions of 245/35 R20 at the front and 285/35 R20 at the rear.

More physical buttons

Ultimately, the evolution is significant, although, in one of the most important cases, it represents a regression. To explain this further, Ferrari decided to return to using physical buttons for driving-related functions , which in newer models are increasingly controlled via screens.

Enrico Galliera, Ferrari's Vice President of Marketing, explains: "To drive a Ferrari, the ideal is to have your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel, and the truth is that we have gone too far in digitizing some functions. This is the feedback we received, almost unanimously, from our customers, and we had to correct it. It makes sense that the most used buttons should be physical. And some of them, like Start & Stop, which are iconic and represent part of our history, should be there on the steering wheel for these reasons."

Dashboard

For the first time, the dashboard features a monolithic configuration, with the instrument cluster and air vents fused into a single unit. The center tunnel, carved from anodized aluminum, is suspended, concentrating functional elements such as the eight-speed automatic transmission selector, the key compartment, the wireless charger, and secondary controls.

The human-machine interface uses three digital displays. The 15.6" instrument cluster provides all the information on driving and vehicle dynamics. In the center is a second 10.25" capacitive touchscreen (vertical in Roma, horizontal here) so the driver and passenger can access the main functions (multimedia, radio, telephone, climate control, seat adjustments, and vehicle settings). Finally, the third 8.8" passenger screen provides a true co-pilot experience, displaying parameters such as G-forces and engine rpm.

Automation: yes, but can be disconnected

The more comfortable optional seats are available in three sizes and are equipped with 10 air chambers for the massage function—with five programs and three intensity levels—and also offer ventilation for the seat and backrest.

Regarding driver assistance systems, Galliera emphasizes that, contrary to what one might think, " Ferrari customers have long asked for these systems to be incorporated into their cars for driving in heavy traffic on motorways and in cities, for comfort and safety. But they immediately ask for a button to deactivate them quickly and easily, and that's what we've done, even though by law they are reactivated every time the engine is started."