CAR Editor Ian McLaren revisits the Ferrari Amalfi on more familiar roads in Cape Town. His impressions here…
What are we driving and why is it significant?
Unveiled in 2019 in the city after which it was named, Ferrari introduced the Roma as an “elegant gran turismo”, which was designed to attract a new customer to the Maranello stable. Positioned as the new entry point to the brand, it was said to appeal to buyers seeking the grace, allure, and performance of the ‘Ferrari’ nameplate without sacrificing comfort and versatility. Powered by a twin-turbocharged V8 engine mounted in the nose, the Roma’s design, including its sleek 2+2 profile and distinctive, body-coloured grille, harked back to heritage models such as the 1960 250 GT Lusso.
Moving away from the hustle and bustle of Italy’s capital city, the Roma’s replacement is named after one of this country’s most picturesque regions: the Amalfi Coast.
What’s new on the Ferrari Amalfi?
With its grand tourer mandate still firmly in place, and most exterior dimensions unchanged, the Amalfi Coupé and subsequent Spider (drop-top) offer a more fluid, less fussy design than the Roma. This includes elements like a “closed grille” look with daytime-running lights and a gloss black nose tip inspired by the 12Cilindri. In the metal, with its beautifully sculpted rear arches, it’s easy to see why this car’s alluring shape has won the hearts of both Tifosi and the broader automotive world.
Less prominent than before, the lower grille section on the Amalfi still feeds the brand’s lauded 3.9-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, mounted as far back as possible behind the front axle to unlock an optimal 50:50 weight distribution. Paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission on the rear axle, powertrain updates include lightweight camshafts and more efficient boost control, ensuring the individual turbos spool faster. While the maximum 750 N.m of torque remains unchanged, the Amalfi gains 14 kW boost over the Roma, to 471 kW, with the redline increased to 7 600 r/min, from 7 500 r/min.
- Also read: Review: Ferrari 12Cilindri
With the welcome return of physical buttons on the car’s multifunction steering wheel, a new anodised aluminium centre console housing the beautifully crafted transmission controls, and a neatly incorporated, landscape-oriented 10.25-inch infotainment display, Ferrari has done an excellent job of decluttering its grand tourer’s cabin. While the rear seats remain strictly “for occasional use”, the front seats are among the best in the business for combining comfort with lateral support. Highly configurable, the first option I would tick is the row of LED gearshift indicators incorporated into the top of the steering wheel.
Having spent time behind the wheel on the outskirts of Rome earlier this year, revisiting the Amalfi on more familiar roads gave me an opportunity to get better acquainted with Ferrari’s entry-level offering, including unlocking its dynamic abilities.
What does the Ferrari Amalfi cost?
The Ferrari Amalfi is priced from R6 150 000 for the Coupé and R6 250 000 for the Spider. Included with the package as standard are a three-year/unlimited km warranty and a seven-year/unlimited km service plan.
- Ferrari Amalfi Coupé — R6 150 000
- Ferrari Amalfi Spider — R6 250 000
What are the Ferrari Amalfi’s rivals?
In a segment where brand loyalty and badge appeal play a significant role in the purchasing decision, the Amalfi’s rivals include the Aston Martin Vantage, Porsche 911 Turbo S, Bentley Continental, and Mercedes-AMG GT Coupé.
What is Ferrari Amalfi like to drive?
Another welcome return to Ferrari interiors is a red aluminium start button on the steering wheel. Though pressing it in the Amalfi may not elicit the roar-to-life that smartphone-bearing bystanders might expect. Instead, as per its mandate, while you’re certainly aware of the V8’s presence, its default soundtrack is notably restrained and civilised, matching the refinement and everyday usability engineered into this product. Only once the Manettino is dialled to ‘Sport’ and the revs climb beyond 5 000 r/min does the Roma’s replacement noticeably change tune from charismatic to spine-tingling.
- Also read: Classic Drive: Ferrari 328 GTS
The best way to describe the Amalfi’s dynamic ability is fluid. From its beautifully weighted steering to its impressively responsive throttle and newly introduced ABS Evo (brake-by-wire) system that ensures consistent pedal feel no matter the surface conditions, I loved the overriding sense of balance and poise, and how well the default suspension coped with fast, progressive changes of direction. Massive 390 mm carbon-ceramic front brakes, with 360 mm discs at the rear, ensure the car sheds speed with laughable ease, and I’ve grown fond of Maranello’s insistence on having the beautifully crafted transmission paddles fixed to the steering column.
Including a claimed 3.3-second 0-100 km/h sprint time, perhaps the biggest compliment I can pay to the refined and impressively comfortable Amalfi is that it doesn’t obviously feel as rapid or intimidating as the numbers suggest.
Verdict
What I’ve enjoyed most about modern Ferrari products, including flagship models like the 12Cilindri, is how accessible they’ve become. Including the attention cars like this garner on the road, you’re always aware of their allure and value. Yet this proudly Italian brand deserves credit for making products like the Amalfi remarkably easy to live with, whether that’s heading for a morning cappuccino or setting course for your favourite coastline road.
2026 Ferrari Amalfi Coupé specifications
- Price: R6 150 000
- Engine: 3.9-litre, V8, twinturbo-petrol
- Transmission: eight-speed dual-clutch
- Power: 471 kW @ 7 500 r/min
- Torque: 760 N.m @ 3 000-5 750 r/min
- 0-100 km/h: 3.3 seconds (claimed)
- 0-200 km/h: 9.0 seconds (claimed)
- Top speed: 320 km/h (claimed)
- Fuel consumption: 11.2 L/100km (claimed)
- CO2 emissions: 254 g/km (claimed)
