• The crowd piles in for a closer look at the new Ferrari Roma. All photos Jarryd Smith
    The crowd piles in for a closer look at the new Ferrari Roma. All photos Jarryd Smith
  • The car gets its introduction at Bulgari Hotel & Resorts, Dubai.
    The car gets its introduction at Bulgari Hotel & Resorts, Dubai.
  • The new Roma will be available in the UAE in the first half of 2020.
    The new Roma will be available in the UAE in the first half of 2020.
  • Photographers move in to get some early shots.
    Photographers move in to get some early shots.
  • A good look at the Ferrari Roma.
    A good look at the Ferrari Roma.
  • The styling inspiration comes from past greats.
    The styling inspiration comes from past greats.
  • Taking photographs proves difficult in among the throng.
    Taking photographs proves difficult in among the throng.
  • People arrive for the grand unveiling.
    People arrive for the grand unveiling.
  • And the band played on.
    And the band played on.
  • The Roma at its first unveiling in Italy.
    The Roma at its first unveiling in Italy.
  • The Roma out on the streets of Rome.
    The Roma out on the streets of Rome.

New Ferrari Roma roars into Dubai


Simon Wilgress-Pipe
  • English
  • Arabic

Motoring fans piled into Dubai’s Bulgari Hotel & Resorts, Dubai to see the first global reveal of Ferrari’s new Roma outside the Italian capital.

The latest vehicle from the Prancing Horse stable was revealed amid flashing cameras and crowds jostling for the best viewing point.

With its new looks, the coupe is cited to be “a contemporary representation of the carefree, pleasurable way of life that characterised Rome in the 1950s and ‘60s”. The manufacturer reckons it has “best-in-class aerodynamic performance” while retaining the brand’s “stylistic purity”.

That all sounds very impressive, but not having driven one, we can’t attest to that yet. Those present at the launch seemed convinced the Roma looked the part though. The styling certainly harks back to some of the brand’s classic models from days of yore, notably the 250GT models from 60-plus years ago.

The cited performance figures don’t disappoint, with claims the vehicle’s V8-turbo engine can reach 100kph in 3.4 seconds.

It’s a car, the manufacturers say, that epitomises La Nuova Dolce Vita (the new sweet life), a phrase that takes its cue from the aforementioned 250GTs that were marketed under a La Dolce Vita line. The vehicle was first revealed in Rome in November 2019.

A band accompanied the proceedings at the Bulgari Hotel, adding to the party atmosphere.

The new Roma will be available in the UAE in the first half of 2020.