Ferrari Roma review

OK, this is where things get tricky. Like that bit in The Matrix where Neo is consumed by those malevolent algorithms, the Roma jettisons regular switchgear in favour of capacative multi-touch controls. Look, we know everyone’s doing it but that doesn’t make it right. There’s nothing wrong with the main instrument display, a 16in curved HD screen that can be personalised, and which you navigate using a touchpad on the right-hand spar of the steering wheel. Interestingly, there’s a quasi sci-fi whooshing sound as you move between the different displays.

The touchpad on the left spar operates the adaptive cruise control. Meanwhile, the indicators, wipers and manettino are on the wheel as has been the case for about the past 15 years on Ferraris, but still feels a bit wrong. This Ferrari also uses cameras and ADAS and all that stuff. Also a bit wrong.

Surely Ferrari is the king of clever electrical systems in cars?

When it comes to superhero mode drift control and clever traction control, yes. But here, Ferrari has got too clever for its own good. The problem areas are the hidden engine start/stop button, the touchpad to adjust the door mirrors, and the button that opens the door. We would prefer to interact with a proper, machined piece of metal or physical button for these, please.

And while we’re on this subject, can we have a manual volume control for the audio and similar for the climate set-up? Both of these nestle within the domain of the 8.4in central display, which means you’re destined to do a lot of finger prodding, much of it in vain.

The central display screen itself looks like it should detach, but obviously doesn’t. Ferrari says all this stuff is in service to the ‘eyes on the road, hands on the wheel’ mantra, and its biometric tests empirically prove there’s a reduced distraction as a result. We say different. Especially as the central screen is somewhat laggy and suffers badly with reflections when you're driving away from the sunshine. Happily, Romas from 2022 onwards have the option of Apple CarPlay.

Is it practical?

The cabin itself has a nice ebb and flow to it, and is meant to involve the passenger more in the experience. The drive controls in the centre console mimic the old open gate of manual Ferraris, but it’s not just a design conceit: three-point turns beside an Italian vineyard are much easier to perform. Fingerprints quickly smear the area, though.

The interior can be had in full-grain Frau leather or Alcantara. Don't spec a light-coloured dashboard top: it reflects badly in the windscreen. Even tan is a no-no. 

It’s a lovely place to sit, no question, but again, the question of whether or not the Roma truly wants to be a GT raises its head. There's little in the way of drink storage, and nowhere especially convenient to tuck a large smartphone. The back seats are best used as a generous luggage shelf, though that's no different to the likes of the Aston Martin DB12.