Earlier this year, it was announced that Ferrari will make a pure electric car - the estimated launch year is 2025. I have no doubt that it can be a fantastic model, but will the Italian supercars appear as attractive with an electric motor?
Just another Taycan?
Today, there are clear differences in the powertrains between different supercars such as Porsche, AMG and Ferrari. When today's boxer engines, V8s and V12s are replaced by electric motors, I fear that the differences will be erased. Take, for example, the powertrains in today's Porsche Taycan Turbo S. Two electric motors - centrally located at the front and centrally located at the rear provide a total output of 625 horses and a torque of 1050 Nm from zero. The main power to the rear wheels is controlled via a 2-speed automatic gearbox in the rear axle. This provides enough power to keep up with most supercars on the market. Ferrari's upcoming electric car can certainly match the forces, but will they be able to provide a better – or different – engine experience than in the Taycan? We're talking about how the power is delivered and, not least, the sound.
Does Ferrari have an ace up its sleeve that can replace the feel of a well-balanced V12 engine?
Supercars not just powertrains
Ferrari has come a long way in creating unique driving pleasure in the form of design, audiovisual effects and electronics - which should not only give the cars maximum grip - but also a positive driving experience for the driver. High fun factor and feeling of mastery. An example of that is Ferrari's Side Slip Control (SSC) – an overall electronic stabilization system that allows you to drive wider through the turns and thus get through the laps faster when driving on the track.
La nuova dolce vita
I took some photos of the Ferrari Roma outside Chitra House at Fornebu. The beautiful villa has been restored in a style that suits exclusive cars and a discerning public. At the weekend, the Ferrari dealer organized AutoXO Sport Ferrari Dynamic Roadshow where the Portofino M and Roma models were presented and where guests had the opportunity to test drive on local country roads. The Ferrari Roma was a new model last year. The appearance differs slightly from today's more uncompromising sports cars. In my eyes, the Ferrari Roma appears as a successor to the beautiful Ferrari 60 GT Lusso of the 250s - which in the press was associated with the good life in Rome in the early 60s. La dolce vita. Today, Ferrari uses the slogan "La nuova dolce vita" in the marketing of the new Ferrari Roma. It seems to me that it is precisely the which could become Ferrari's trump card in the battle for customers.
Touring car for two
The Ferrari Roma is a 2+ car where two people can travel with a reasonable amount of luggage. It is registered as a 4-seater, but the back seat is best suited for bags. There is also a tailgate for a small luggage compartment with a narrow through-loading hatch into the compartment. The engine is a 3,9-litre direct-fed twin-turbo V8 of the same type found in, among others, the Ferrari 488 and Ferrari Portofino M. The engine location is so-called "mid-front" with transmission via an 8-speed double-clutch gearbox in a transaxle solution on the rear axle. The weight distribution is ideal – 50/50. The model has, among other things, an electronic differential lock and SSC 6.0. I mentioned that the beautiful appearance stands out from uncompromising sports cars. It has its price because the aerodynamics need the help of a computer-controlled rear spoiler at extreme speeds. The spoiler sits just below the rear window and consists of one piece of carbon fiber that automatically adjusts depending on driving conditions.
Selling on lifestyle
Ferrari Roma is an attempt to sell Italian form, style and lifestyle. Vespa, Fiat "Cinquecento" and Ferrari are examples of that. For myself, I would add beautiful Italian racing bikes, vineyards, espresso coffee, cobblestone streets, thin pizza, Amarone wine, Italian gelato made with true Italian passione. The infrastructure for electric cars is not as well developed along the Mediterranean countries as in Norway - especially not outside the big cities. But car advertisements constantly focus on electric cars. They will come. It will be interesting to see if Ferrari can maintain its hegemony as a sports car manufacturer with electric cars.
Rechargeable hybrids
Ferrari can today deliver rechargeable drivetrains on the following two models. The Ferrari 296 GTB (pictured) has a mid-mounted drivetrain based on a 3-litre V6 engine (half V12) and electric motor which together provide 663 HP. Range on pure electricity is 25 km, but the crux here is not driving on electricity, but in hybrid mode. The design is somewhat reminiscent of the Ferrari Dino - also a V6. You can even have your Ferrari 296 GTB delivered in the color Dino red.
The SF90 Stradale and Spider also have rechargeable drivetrains based on Ferrari's 3,9 liter V8 engine and an electric motor that can deliver a total of 780 HP. The range here is also 25 km.
We can also mention that Ferrari has developed a non-rechargeable hybrid system for racing cars. The LaFerrari was equipped with a so-called KERS system (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) which recovers braking energy to give extra boost when needed. The purpose was, of course, better acceleration - not to save fuel.
About the cars in the pictures
The three cars are probably stock cars at AutoXO Sport in Billingstad. The titanium gray car on the plates is a 2020 model with 15000 km and an on-route price tag of NOK 3. The other titanium gray car without plates is a 249 model with 000 km and a price tag of 2021. The blue car is also a 2500 model with 3 km at a price of 349. Further specifications and contact info can be found on the dealer's pages below :
AutoXO – Ferrari Roma 620 HP (car 1)
AutoXO – Ferrari Roma 620 HP (car 2)
AutoXO – Ferrari Roma 620 HP (car 3)
More photos of the Ferrari Roma
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