Official Ferrari importers Ital Auto Malaysia today has further expanded its local product lineup by introducing its latest V8-powered coupe, the Ferrari Amalfi.
Dubbed the replacement for the outgoing Ferrari Roma, the new Amalfi’s presence in Kuala Lumpur today also coincides with its maiden regional debut in Southeast Asia.
Upgraded V8 Engine, Now More Powerful Than Roma
Nestled deep within its sculpted front hood is the upgraded version of Prancing Horse’s signature 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 engine from the F154 family.
Ferrari says the improved V8 engine features a more advanced turbocharging management system that Ferrari claims helps to improve throttle response and boosts pressure control precision. Also improved here are the new lightweight camshafts that weigh 1.3 kg less and a redesigned engine block that helps to further shed a full kilogram out of the whole unit.
As a result, this twin-turbo V8 engine now outputs 640 PS and 760 Nm, making it 20 PS more powerful than the outgoing Roma to enable a quick century sprint time of just 3.3 seconds before capping out at 320 km/h.
Similar to the Roma, said V8 engine is also mated to an 8-speed DCT automatic gearbox in the Amalfi, although this unit has been further optimised with a more powerful control unit and deeper integration with the engine software, thus improving its shift smoothness and speed.
To ensure that its V8 sings gracefully even in this day and age of strict emission regulations, Ferrari engineers have installed a new proportionally controlled bypass valve with dedicated maps to adapt the exhaust note to different driving conditions.
‘ABS Evo’ Brake-by-Wire System, Improved Aero
Another new mechanical innovation introduced into the Amalfi is the ‘ABS Evo’ brake-by-wire system, which is Ferrari’s own solution that significantly improves braking efficiency, reduces pedal travel, and enhances modulation.
First introduced in the 296 GTB, the ABS Evo system has been adapted to ensure optimal performance on all surfaces and in various driving modes. This controller uses data from the 6D sensor to precisely estimate the vehicle’s speed and determine the optimal slip for each wheel, thereby optimising brake force distribution.
As for the aerodynamics, Ferrari’s own Styling Centre has worked closely with their aero engineers in designing the Amalfi, resulting in a well-sculpted body with functional aerodynamics that further improve its overall performance.
For example, a bypass duct has been placed above the headlights that connects directly to the engine bay, helping to reduce pressure build-up and optimise cooling. Downforce generation at the front is managed by a pair of vortex generators, and the two diffusers integrated into the splitter help to enhance front brake ventilation.
The underbody has also been designed to maximise efficiency, featuring dedicated devices to reduce drag and carefully manage airflow. Last but not least, the Amalfi’s rear diffuser has been completely redesigned to find the best compromise between downforce and drag, while the active rear wing now features three configurations—Low Drag (LD), Medium Downforce (MD), and High Downforce (HD).
Ferrari’s Refreshed “La Nuova Dolce Vita”
While the Roma was being described as “La Nuova Dolce Vita,” the new Amalfi continues its predecessor’s design language with some slight improvements while retaining its signature two-door ‘Berlinetta’ fastback coupe look.
Some key changes include sharp LED headlights with air ducts integrated into them, slim quad LED taillights a la the Roma, 20-inch forged aluminium five-spoke wheels shod in either Bridgestone Potenza Sport or Pirelli P Zero tyres, a slew of wedge-shaped design elements with sleek lines, a quad-piped exhaust system integrated into the carbon fibre rear diffuser, a ducktail rear spoiler with an integrated active rear wing, and many more.
What also sets the new Amalfi apart from its predecessor is the new Verde Costiera exterior colourway, which Ferrari says is inspired by the picturesque coastlines of the car’s namesake.
Inside, the new Amalfi adopts a dual-cockpit layout that envelops both drivers and passengers in their cocoons, with the latter even getting their own dedicated 8.8-inch entertainment screen, with the main 10.25-inch central infotainment unit and the floating central console separating the two.
Mind you, said infotainment unit supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity as standard, plus the MyFerrari Connect system that allows owners to remotely monitor their vehicles’ status via a dedicated mobile app. Aside from the V8 up front, there’s also the optional 14-speaker, 1,200-watt Burmester premium audio system to tantalise your aural sensations.
Drivers, on the other hand, get a larger 15.6-inch digital metre cluster that provides all the essential driving information, which is then matched with a new steering wheel that marks the return of tactile controls—a change that is part of Ferrari’s HMI (Human-Machine Interface) system.
Still The Most ‘Attainable’ Ferrari Model
As of writing, Ital Auto Malaysia only gave us the base price of EUR 240,000 (RM1.091 million) for the all-new Ferrari Amalfi, and that does not include all the duties, taxes, and any of the personalised options for the car.
This alone is enough to make the Amalfi slightly more expensive than its outgoing predecessor, with the Roma coupe originally retailing at RM968,000 sans duties, taxes, and options.
Given that the Malaysian government previously announced that tax-free cars registered to Langkawi and Labuan are now being limited to a ceiling price of RM300,000, it is safe to assume that the Amalfi’s final price would be somewhere around the RM3 million region. For reference, the Ferrari Roma Spider currently retails at RM3.2 million with taxes and duties, so our initial guess was not that far-off.
