I’ve been labelled over the years as a “Porsche guy”. I guess it’s true, based on the number of them, but I really don’t have any brand allegiances. Porsche 911s have most often been the best offering for me, in terms of driving feel, enjoyment and affordability. But of all the cars, over the last 34 years of driving, there’s one more than the Porsches and Viper and Vette and whatever that I wish I had kept and will one day acquire again, my 2001 Ferrari 360 Modena with a 6-speed manual. As a car guy, more than a Porsche guy, there’s just something about a Ferrari. That said, I don’t have much experience with the current crop. I’ve driven modern McLarens, Bugattis, Paganis, ‘Vettes, and Porsches but I haven’t driven a Ferrari newer than the F430 that replaced my 360. So, when the chance to drive the new Amalfi presented itself, I couldn’t resist.
First, a bit about modern Ferraris because their approach is quite different than Porsche’s and to that of many of their competitors. The first thing to know about Ferrari is that there are no sacred cows. Whereas many companies get caught up in their history, Ferrari is constantly moving forward, especially from a design standpoint. Second thing, Ferrari is impressively a technology company, legitimately competing at the highest level of motorsport (Formula 1) and distilling technology down to road cars in a way that enhances the driving experience, more on that later. Third, a Ferrari is a Ferrari. The chassis, the engines, the tech…it’s not based on anything else or shared with any other brands or even, in many cases, with other Ferraris. It’s like a manufacture movement in a watch, that’s what this level of car gets you into. Bespoke engineering solutions for specific requirements, not compromises.
So, what’s the Amalfi other than a cute spot on the coast of Italy? The 2027 Ferrari Amalfi is a significant update to the seductive Ferrari Roma that launched in 2020 (the Roma Spider launched in 2023). One of the most daily drivable Ferraris, the Amalfi is a grand tourer with the heart of a supercar that can also squeeze small children in a +2 back seat. Evolving to Amalfi from Roma has brought refined styling with almost all new exterior bodywork, more power from the twin-turbo V8, updated suspension tuning and an all-new interior with a fantastic new steering wheel and cossetting dual-cockpit design.
As with most Ferraris, once past the seductive shape, modern with hints of 1960s stretch out curvaceous front fenders, it’s the engine that leaves the greatest impression. Even in a world of 1,000 hp EVs and supercars and all sorts of things, 640-hp from a Ferrari V8 will still get your attention. The way this car gathers speed on a winding road or motorway is truly impressive. There are simply deep reserves of power; this level of performance requires restraint. That’s not to say the car is challenging to drive, it’s always as planted as you want it to be but there’s simply more speed than you’ll likely need.
One impression that may surprise you, or maybe not, is how smooth it all is. There’s a well-oiled lubricity to the whole package, this is a luxury grand tourer and not a go kart, a car designed for hundreds of kilometres or daily use. The front-mid engine layout (the engine is behind the front axle line) provides more immediate turn-in and response than you might expect from a car that appears to have a very long hood. The suspension is firm enough to say Ferrari but supple enough to breathe with the road and cosset on the motorway. The fast-folding fabric roof (13 seconds) is well insulated and carries to the roofline of the coupe model so there’s no compromise in comfort or appearance and it even comes in some awesome new technical fabrics and a host of colours.
But perhaps what impresses most is the subjective, it’s simply a seductive shape. It’s beautiful. While some of our dream cars of 20 or 30 years ago were indisputably beautiful, they were deeply flawed in many ways. This is where Ferrari leads. The Amalfi is a truly modern car, with industry leading technology like side slip control and an E-diff, that is fast and composed and comfortable and that’s what the modern luxury consumer expects. They also expect near limitless choice of colours both inside and out, innovative materials and exclusivity and that’s here too. As much as I enjoyed driving the Amalfi, revelling in its blistering acceleration, its limpet grip in great sweeping high-speed corners and its smooth responses there’s one thing I wish I’d done more, just stood there and looked at it. I wish I’d taken in its long sculpted hood, its curvaceous, poised rear haunches, and its elegant, minimalist profile just a little bit more, a little bit longer. It’s never enough to be entranced in such beauty, and that’s why you’ll park an Amalfi Spider in your garage and why I would too.
