2020 Ferrari Roma 3.9L V8 Review

In recent years, consumer demand in the luxury sports car market has gradually shifted from a pure performance focus to an "elegant performance suitable for daily use." Many brands are starting to strike a balance between design and practicality— the 2020 Ferrari Roma 3.9L V8 is a typical product of this trend. As a GT sports car, it packages "low-profile luxury" and "supercar-level performance" into a form that’s closer to daily life. In this test drive, we focused on whether it can truly meet the dual needs of "commuting to work" and "weekend mountain runs."

From afar, the design of the Roma does not feature the overly aggressive aerodynamic kits typical of traditional supercars. The overall lines lean more towards the retro elegance of Ferrari GT models from the 1950s. The front face features a large-sized black mesh grille, paired with slender LED headlights, and the L-shaped daytime running lights inside the headlights create high recognizability when lit. The side profile showcases smooth fastback lines, with curves extending naturally from the A-pillar to the rear. The door handles are designed to be hidden, reducing wind resistance while also lending simplicity to the side profile. At the rear, the main visual focus is the continuous LED tail lights, and the dual exhaust layout below is not ostentatious, but the roar when started is highly distinctive. The overall design is free from unnecessary edges and angles, yet it's unmistakably a Ferrari on the road.

Step inside the car, and you’ll find the Roma's interior features a "dual-cockpit" design, with a clear division between the driver’s seat and the passenger seat. In front of the passenger seat, there’s a separate 7-inch touchscreen that can control media and air conditioning. The 16-inch curved central control screen on the dashboard is the main feature; it has a smooth interface and responsive operations, and it supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The steering wheel features Ferrari's signature flat-bottom design, integrating physical buttons such as the start button and drive mode selector, allowing the driver to operate them without looking down at the screen. In terms of materials, the seats and the inside panels of the doors are wrapped in Nappa leather, while parts of the dashboard use Alcantara material, which meets the premium feel expected of a million-level sports car. When it comes to configurations, features like keyless entry, automatic parking, and rain-sensing wipers—all of which are useful in daily driving—come as standard equipment, making it more practical than many supercars that emphasize performance alone.

In terms of dimensions, the Roma is 4656mm long, 1974mm wide, 1301mm high, with a wheelbase of 2670mm. Although it's a two-door, two-seater layout, the front cabin feels very spacious. A passenger measuring 180cm tall will not feel cramped in terms of headspace or legroom. The seats provide good support, and the lumbar and lateral supports can be adjusted to suit one’s build, ensuring comfort even during long drives. In terms of storage space, there are small storage compartments on the door panels, a hidden storage box under the center console, and a trunk with a capacity of 272L, which can fit two 20-inch carry-on suitcases. This is sufficient for short trips or weekend grocery shopping.

As for the powertrain, the 3.9L twin-turbo V8 engine offers a maximum horsepower of 620PS, with a maximum power speed of 5750-7500rpm and a maximum torque speed of 3000-5750rpm. It is paired with an 8-speed DCT gearbox. When switched to Comfort mode, it starts off very smoothly, and the throttle response is not overly aggressive, making it easy to follow traffic in urban settings without feeling difficult to control. When you step harder on the accelerator, the torque explodes fully beyond 3000rpm, delivering a strong push-back feeling. The official 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 3.4 seconds is indeed tangible when driving. When switched to Sport mode, the gearbox shifts faster and the throttle response becomes more sensitive, allowing for overtaking with just a light touch on the throttle. Its accelerating ability on highways is also outstanding.

In terms of handling, the steering wheel has high precision, with minimal dead spot. The amount you turn translates directly to the wheels' feedback, and during cornering, the front-end’s directional response is clear. The suspension system is relatively soft in Comfort mode, filtering out most small vibrations when driving over speed bumps or uneven surfaces, without feeling too stiff. When switched to Sport mode, the suspension stiffens, providing better lateral support during cornering, with minimal body roll and impressive stability on mountain roads. The braking performance is also excellent, with linear feedback upon pressing the brake pedal, ample braking force, and no body wobble during high-speed braking.

In terms of fuel consumption, we drove 100km each in congested urban roads and on highways, with an average fuel consumption of approximately 12L/100km. For a 3.9L V8 sports car, this result is relatively reasonable. In terms of noise control, both tire and wind noise are negligible during low-speed urban driving. At 120km/h on the highway, wind noise becomes slightly more apparent but does not interfere with in-car conversations. The seat comfort is also noteworthy; the leather material is very soft, and adjustable lumbar support ensures that long drives don’t lead to back pain.

In summary, the core advantage of the 2020 Ferrari Roma lies in its "balance" — delivering both supercar performance and the comfort and practicality of a GT sports car. Compared to the Porsche 911 Turbo S of the same class, Roma showcases a more elegant design, richer configurations, and greater convenience for daily use; compared to the Aston Martin DB11, Roma offers stronger performance at a more advantageous price. It is suitable for those who seek both supercar performance and daily commuting capabilities, such as 30-to-40-year-old entrepreneurs or business professionals who want a car they can drive to work during the week and take to the mountains or on short trips on weekends.

Overall, the Roma is not a supercar purely focused on speed but rather a "Ferrari you can drive daily." With its elegant design, balanced performance, and sufficient practicality, it transforms supercars from track toys into vehicles that can genuinely integrate into everyday life.