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The Ferrari Roma is a beautiful creation that feels different and has enough justification to carve out a niche in the Ferrari range

Ferrari has one of its best years in 2021 after achieving a new sales record after selling more than 11,000 supercars amid the global pandemic, disruption of supply chains, and prevailing economic conditions. The success is primarily thanks to the massive interest in the F8 Tributo and Roma models. They helped offset the sales drop from the V12 flagships after Ferrari rested the 812 Superfast, which remains the fastest naturally aspirated Ferrari of all time.

The Maranello marque introduced the all-new Roma in 2019 to rival the Aston Martin DB11, McLaren GT, and Bentley Continental GT. While the Roma is considered a more affordable Ferrari, it holds its own well and has won several awards like the Covetous Red Dot Award for its design. A beautiful creation that feels different and has enough justification to carve out a niche in the Ferrari range. Here's why we love the Ferrari Roma.

In pursuit of extreme aerodynamics, Ferraris go a little over the top with their stunning exterior style. But the Roma has taken a minimalist approach and is devoid of extreme aggression. Although the sculpture is there, the active aero is well hidden, and there are no scoops, vents, or slashes. The result is a simply gorgeous car and the most beautiful Ferrari in a hot minute.

The Roma takes inspiration from the 60's classics like the 250 GT Lusso with beautifully structured haunches which flow seamlessly. The sculpted bonnet matches the shark-like headlights and neatly blends with the compact rear.

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70% of Roma's components are entirely new and benefit from the advanced technology developed by Ferrari for its new breed of cars. The chassis and bodyshell are a step forward in technology and incorporate the latest weight reduction and production technology.

Also, Ferrari has loaded the Roma with all of their go-faster tech weaponry from the 5-position Manettino that lets you seamlessly adjust the car's electronic systems to the side slip angle control and the 8-speed automatic transmission. The variable boost management system makes the car super fast, with instant throttle response and no turbo lag.

While the Roma's design and advanced tech is a strong talking point, the driving experience has to be what sets it apart from the rest of the pack. It provides a captivating drive with sublime handling when piloted aggressively. And when you decide to take it easy, it is surprisingly sweet.

It feels planted on the tarmac and moves like a train when pushed hard through bends at high speeds to reveal its exceptional cornering prowess. Find a good road, and you won't want to stop driving the Roma.

Most supercars come with loads of buttons and switches everywhere to make you feel like you're in a fighter jet. While it is true with modern Ferrari cars, things are different with the Roma, whose interior is surprisingly cohesive. It features a large 16-inch instrument cluster and a neat 8.4-inch central infotainment screen. Physical buttons have been replaced by haptic touch pads on the steering wheel.

The interior is first class with high fabrics and exquisite hits of carbon fiber. The center console sits high, separating the two seats, and an additional 8.8-inch widescreen display is on the passenger's side for settings and navigation.

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Modern supercars suffer from too much aggression, whereby everything, including creature comfort, is sacrificed for outright performance. Some are just impossible to get in and out of. The Roma is unlike any supercar you've seen in this regard. It is spacious enough to allow easy ingress and egress, even for the tallest of us.

The interior comfort is unmatched, with the deep, comfortable leather oozing wealth and success. It hugs you tight and makes you forget about potholes. Also, keeping with Ferrari's eyes on the road philosophy, most controls are provided on the steering wheel via a haptic touchpad.

The Roma is the closest thing to a daily driver Ferrari. Boot space is a boring term in the supercar world, and when they are mid-engined, there is little left to store groceries. But the Roma comes with a front-engined architecture, offering 9.6 cubic feet of luggage space at the rear. Not as spacious as your favorite hot hatch, but it is more than you'll get from most luxury sports cars. For perspective, the Audi R8 comes with a tiny 3.9 cubic feet.

Cargo space increases to 12.1 cubic feet once you fold the rear seats. Yes, the Roma has a backseat Ferrari calls the 2+2, although it is for show and practically unusable for normal-sized adults.

The new Roma is reminiscent of the Ferrari 550 Maranello, which also featured an engine ahead of the cabin and a more grown-up, touring car appeal. Still, it was one of the best cars you could drive for $200k in the mid to late 90s. Production ended in 2001, and it seems Ferrari has evoked its spirit with the Roma.

It brings the charisma of an old-school luxury GT and is the first of a new breed of grand tourers that create a new product line, completely distinguished from the mid-engined sports cars like the F8 Tributo.

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International Engine of the year award four times in a row between 2016 and 2019. It set a new record for most consecutive wins and was crowned the Best of The Best engine of the last two decades. The Roma's 3.9 Biturbo V8 makes 612hp and 560lb-ft of torque.

With these raging ponies, the Ferrari feels brutal in acceleration and can launch to 62mph in 3.4 seconds, reach 124mph in 9.3 seconds, and attain a top speed of 199mph.

The Roma is an Italian Stallion that can sing a good tune. The engine gets new CAMP profiles that allow it an extra 5000rpms. It also receives a redesigned exhaust system, featuring a single-piece exhaust manifold. While the car doesn't sound as raw and exciting as the classic naturally aspirated Ferrari V8s, the twin-turbo setup makes for a distinctive, angry, and spine-tingling soundtrack.

Like all cars in the Ferrari range, Roma's quad exhaust system was redesigned to produce its unique roar. Also, its ports are tucked under the subtle swell of the rear haunches for a powerful, athletic look.

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Ferrari deserves all the applause for creating a monumentally beautiful car that embodies advanced technology and perfectly balances high-speed comfort and the ability to readily turn into an angry beast with a simple switch in mode. It is fast, classy, and can be used daily.

It is perhaps the most distinctive model in the Scuderia range, with a unique body-colored grille made of ever-widening holes. Also, the Roma is the cheapest model and easiest way into the exclusive Ferrari ownership club, with a starting price of $222,420 before options.

Bryan is a content marketer who works as a staff writer for HotCars.com where he covers a variety of topics, from the first Motorwagen to the latest Electric vehicles. A writer by day and a programmer by night. When he is not writing about cars, catch him tinkering with his old motorcycle.