Elite Traveler Fall 2021

INSPIRE TOP CARS

NEED TO KNOW Roma integrates the now-required gasoline

particulate filter, altering the whirring exhaust notes of the Prancing Horse.

FerrariRoma Usually when describing a Ferrari, designers infuse a healthy dose of racing lore and a story about Enzo Ferrari. With the Roma, phrases like 'from a style point of view,' 'gentleman driver' and 'understated luxury' take pole position. Adding to the robust lineage of grand touring Berlinettas — picture the 612 Scaglietti, 500 Superfast, even the 250 GT Lusso — the mid-front engined Roma (meaning the engine sits behind the front axle) features a familiar 3.9-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 offering 611 hp and rear wheel drive. Considered a 2+, the rear seats will be most useful for parcels or house pets but add to the classic fastback lines. Roma considers the details. The perfectly rectangular leather and enamel key is given its own space, tucked behind the cupholder in the center console. The dual clutch transmission generates less heat than previous iterations, thus requiring less cooling and allowing for Roma’s statement-making composite grille (which, not coincidentally, provides less ventilation). There’s no overwhelmingly large start button, just a spot to touch on the steering wheel. Some may call it crowded, with buttons, knobs, touchpads, paddles, turn signals and the horn. To others, the steering wheel mimics a video game controller. Ferrari calls it the “human factors philosophy” — or, how to provide everything in one place so the

driver’s eyes stay squarely on the road. Ferrari Roma from $218,760, ferrari.com

Photos Robin Trajano