Ferrari Amalfi, the heir of Rome debuts. Everything you need to know: features, performance and prices
by Mario Cianflone , correspondent in Maranello
Born 5 years ago, the Ferrari Roma had the task of offering a high-performance but elegant car in the Prancing Horse range, less flashy in terms of lines and sound than the classic, certainly not minimalist, layout of the cars made in Maranello. Now the Roma gives way to its heir. It is called Amalfi and inherits the best of what was defined as a Formula 1 in an evening dress and introduces changes and improvements that enhance its style and performance without distorting its elegant and very refined design, the result of the work of the team led by Flavio Manzoni. It would be reductive to call it a restyling but it is clearly an evolution of the previous model. The Amalfi in fact takes the best of the Roma to a higher level while remaining the most accessible car in the accessible Ferrari range and obviously relative given that the price list starts at 240 thousand euros and considering the customizations the bill can also increase significantly.
Among the confirmations of the Amalfi, namely the V-eight twin-turbo engine, strictly thermal without any electrification that weighs and is not needed and the style always clean but now with greater attention to aerodynamics and rear load obtained thanks to an active wing at the rear. But let's go into detail
As mentioned, the beating heart of the new Ferrari Amalfi is an evolved version of the 3,855 cm³ twin-turbo V8 belonging to the F154 family. The engine now develops 640 hp at 7,500 rpm, with a specific power of 166 hp/l and a limiter that activates at 7,600 rpm.
Much of the performance leap is due to the advanced supercharging system, which independently manages the rotation speed of the two turbochargers. The latter now reach 171,000 rpm. The result is a significant improvement in accelerator responsiveness. Pressure management is entrusted to the engine control unit, already adopted by Ferrari on the 296 GTB, the Purosangue and the more recent 12Cilindri.
Photogallery 27 photos
At the same time, Ferrari has focused on reducing moving masses to the bare minimum. Starting with the camshafts, which have been lightened and have saved a good 1.3 kg, for a total dry weight of the car of 1,470 kg. In the meantime, the crankcase has been redesigned to eliminate non-structural material. An absolute novelty is the low-viscosity oil, never used before in combination with a V8 engine from the Prancing Horse. This oil, according to Ferrari, improves cold resistance by 30% and optimizes efficiency during the warm-up phase.
Thanks to the flat crankshaft, the engine response is made even more direct, a compact low-inertia turbine and twin-scroll technology that separates the exhaust gas flows, improving the continuity of delivery. The equalized length headers help to offer a progressive thrust, which is particularly noticeable in the medium and high revs.
The gearbox remains unchanged. It is still the tried and tested eight-speed dual-clutch in an oil bath, introduced with the SF90 Stradale. But some improvements, such as faster and smoother gear changes, are due to the new control unit and revised software management.
The engine sound has also received particular attention. Ferrari engineers have developed a new silencer layout that obviously complies with the most restrictive regulations, but does not compromise the unmistakable timbre of the V8. Sound management is entrusted to a new bypass valve controlled proportionally by dedicated maps, capable of adapting the sound in real time based on driving style.
The Ferrari Amalfi is for the Maranello house what can be defined as a modern berlinetta coupé 2+ with a front-mid V8 engine. Designed by the Ferrari Style Center under the guidance of Flavio Manzoni, it is not surprising that it takes inspiration from the Roma, but it presents itself with different shapes to offer an even more dynamic but at the same time minimal style. As for the pure dimensions, we are talking about a berlinetta 4660 mm long, 1974 mm wide and just 1301 mm high. The wheelbase stands at 2670 mm.
Externally, its tapered shape does not go unnoticed. The fluid surfaces and clean cuts give the car a modern and coherent look. No grille is visible on the front wall while it is in the floating wing, the same color as the body, that integrates the projectors and sensors.
The rear is compact and muscular just right. Here you can see the large diffuser and the spoiler integrated into the rear window. The trunk offers 273 liters of capacity while a full tank of gasoline is obtained with 80 liters. For the launch, Ferrari has chosen the color called “Verde Costiera”, a bright teal green inspired by the sea of the Amalfi Coast.
The passenger compartment features a double cockpit, or two distinct cells for the driver and passenger. In front of them, the dashboard develops in an unprecedented monolithic layout. This means that the digital instruments and air vents are fused into a single continuous block. In the center, the central touch display becomes the focal point of the dashboard. The central tunnel in anodized aluminum houses the key, the wireless charging system, the famous Ferrari gate and the secondary controls. The “comfort” seats are available made to measure and equipped with ten air pockets for the massage function, which can be chosen between five programs and three intensity levels. In addition, ventilation for the seat and backrest.
Finally, the optional Burmester Premium Audio System features 14 speakers, 1,200 watts of power and ring radiator tweeters.
The Ferrari Amalfi also offers a completely revamped HMI system. The new steering wheel offers only physical buttons. On the left are the controls for ADAS, cruise control, telephone and voice commands. On the right, the controls for the digital instrumentation.
The human-machine interface is structured on three main displays. The 15.6-inch, fully digital instrument panel shows all the driving information. The 10.25-inch central touch display provides access to the most frequently used functions, such as media, climate control and settings. To complete the experience, the 8.8-inch passenger-only display provides interesting information such as G-forces and engine speed.
Connectivity is complete, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and, as already listed, wireless smartphone charging integrated into the central tunnel. The MyFerrari Connect system also allows you to monitor the status of the car remotely via an app.
The underbody has been optimised to manage flows efficiently and reduce drag. At the rear, there is now a redesigned diffuser to ensure greater stability. But the real novelty is the active mobile wing, perfectly integrated into the tail. It is activated in three different configurations, which change based on the dynamics of the car. The first is called Low Drag, followed by Medium Downforce and finally High Downforce comes into play. When cornering or braking hard, the HD mode generates up to 110 kg of downforce at 250 km/h, increasing aerodynamic drag by just 4%.
Completing the package is a 20mm rear nolder, which improves efficiency at high speeds, and an optimised front end with radiators and intercoolers arranged to maximise cooling.
With Amalfi, Ferrari offers a package with a brake-by-wire system that improves braking efficiency and modulation, with a more direct pedal response even if the ABS kicks in.
All systems are coordinated by Side Slip Control 6.1, which governs steering, traction and vertical movements of the body, ensuring consistency of behaviour and maximum repeatability.
The whole thing is completed, as mentioned, by an active rear spoiler, which automatically adjusts according to acceleration. In this way, the aerodynamic load is always perfectly balanced, even in the most demanding driving phases.
In terms of active safety, the Ferrari Amalfi offers a wide range of ADAS: among these we find adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane keeping, blind spot detection and the optional Surround View system.
The Ferrari Amalfi adopts 20-inch wheels. The shoulders of the tires retain the same thickness already seen on the Ferrari Roma. The sizes are 245/35 R20 at the front and 285/35 R20 at the rear, a configuration designed to ensure agility and optimal traction. As standard, the car mounts tires developed in collaboration with Bridgestone (Potenza Sport) and Pirelli (P Zero).
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