Ferrari has officially unveiled the 2027 Amalfi, a sophisticated grand tourer that not only replaces the Roma but represents a significant philosophical shift for the Maranello-based automaker. Named after the enchanting coastal town on Italy’s southwestern coast, the Amalfi brings back the tactile driving experience that Ferrari enthusiasts have been demanding, most notably through the return of physical buttons on the steering wheel, including the iconic red start button.
This isn’t simply a mid-cycle refresh disguised with a new nameplate. Ferrari admits it listened to customer feedback about the Roma’s controversial touch-sensitive controls and has systematically addressed nearly every complaint owners had about its predecessor. The result is a car that bridges Ferrari’s storied past with its technological future, all while embodying the relaxed elegance of its coastal Italian namesake.
The Button Renaissance
Physical Controls Make Their Triumphant Return
The most significant change in the Amalfi is Ferrari’s decision to abandon the haptic touch-sensitive controls that have plagued their vehicles since the SF90’s introduction in 2019. The steering wheel now features proper physical buttons, including the legendary red engine start button that Ferrari fans consider sacred. As Chief Design Officer Flavio Manzoni explained, Ferrari initially embraced touch controls to appear futuristic, but customers made it clear they preferred tactile feedback over technological showboating.
The transformation is comprehensive: the four-way haptic touch pad on the right spoke and the gaggle of controls on the left spoke are replaced by small black Chiclet buttons. This represents more than just a functional improvement; it’s Ferrari acknowledging that sometimes tradition and usability trump technological advancement.
Interior Redesign Emphasizes Space and Luxury
The cabin receives a significant makeover centered around a gorgeous piece of milled-and-anodized aluminum that runs the full length of the center console, creating visual continuity from dashboard to rear seats. The vertically oriented center screen from the Roma has been replaced with a horizontally oriented 10.25-inch display, while the center console has been redesigned to be lower and less obtrusive, making the interior feel roomier.
Each front-seat passenger is cocooned by a sweeping dashboard that flows into the doors and floating center console, with stitched leather and faux suede creating an upscale atmosphere. The driver faces a massive 16-inch digital gauge cluster that responds to the button-heavy, flat-bottom steering wheel.
Coastal Design Philosophy
Amalfi’s Visual Identity
The Amalfi’s exterior styling follows Ferrari’s current design language while addressing the Roma’s polarizing elements. Gone is the controversial perforated grille, replaced by a cleaner front end featuring a thin black bar connecting newly sculpted LED headlights. According to Manzoni, the goal was to make the car “less anthropomorphic and more futuristic,” avoiding the “two eyes and a mouth” look that can appear cartoonish.
The signature Verde Costiera paint option—an azure green reminiscent of Mediterranean waters—perfectly captures the coastal inspiration behind the model’s name. The rear receives the most successful updates, featuring new taillights and a three-position motorized spoiler that generates up to 243 pounds of downforce at 155 mph.
Heritage Meets Modernity
The Amalfi continues Ferrari’s tradition of naming cars after romantic Italian destinations, following the California, Portofino, and Roma in evoking “balmy days and urban sophistication rather than Fiorano-dominating lap times.” This naming convention signals Ferrari’s intent to position the Amalfi as the perfect grand tourer for coastal cruising and sophisticated urban environments.
Performance and Engineering Excellence
Enhanced V8 Powerplant
At the heart of the Amalfi lies an evolved version of Ferrari’s 3.9-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine. Thanks to an updated ECU, redesigned crankshaft, titanium alloy turbochargers, and lightweight camshaft, the engine now delivers 631 horsepower at 7,500 rpm and 561 lb-ft of torque between 3,000-5,750 rpm.
Ferrari also lightened the camshafts by 2.9 pounds with the goal of increasing the V8’s propensity for rev-happy character. Performance figures are impressive: 0-62 mph in 3.3 seconds and a top speed of 199 mph, positioning it competitively against rivals like the Aston Martin Vanquish and Bentley Continental GT.
Advanced Chassis and Aerodynamics
The Amalfi rides on Ferrari’s modular front-engine platform, which supports a 20mm lower center of gravity than its predecessor. The suspension features magnetorheological dampers with dual-coil setup, offering a wider bandwidth between comfort and responsiveness.
Advanced technology includes brake-by-wire setup and ABS Evo system borrowed from the 296GTB to maximize performance, plus Ferrari’s Side Slip Control 8.0 and updated Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer working together to optimize handling at the limit.
Market Positioning and Competition
Target Demographics and Pricing
Ferrari expects approximately 50% of Amalfi buyers to be first-time Ferrari owners, continuing the Roma’s success in attracting newcomers to the brand. Priced from approximately €240,000 ($275,000-$283,000), the Amalfi targets affluent newcomers while giving traditionalists a return to mechanical purity.
Competitive Landscape
The Amalfi faces stiff competition from established players including the Porsche 911 Turbo, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary and may receive updates, and the redesigned 2025 Aston Martin Vantage V8 with its updated styling and modern interior. However, Ferrari’s combination of heritage, performance, and renewed focus on usability positions the Amalfi favorably in this competitive segment.
Availability and Future Outlook
U.S. deliveries of the Amalfi coupe begin in the third quarter of 2026 as a 2027 model, with European sales starting in early 2026. No Amalfi Spider will be available at launch, though Ferrari’s history suggests a convertible variant may follow.
Ferrari is making the new steering wheel design available as a retrofit option for owners of other Ferrari models through authorized dealers, demonstrating their commitment to addressing the button controversy across their lineup.
The 2027 Ferrari Amalfi represents more than just a model refresh; it embodies Ferrari’s willingness to listen to customers and correct course when necessary. By combining the coastal elegance of its namesake with enhanced performance and restored tactile controls, Ferrari has created a grand tourer that should satisfy both enthusiasts and newcomers alike. The Amalfi proves that sometimes the best path forward requires acknowledging the wisdom of the past.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3.9L twin-turbocharged V8 (front-mid-mounted) |
| Power | 631 HP @ 7,500 rpm |
| Torque | 561 lb-ft @ 3,000-5,750 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed dual-clutch automatic (rear-mounted) |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive |
| 0-62 mph | 3.3 seconds |
| Top Speed | 199 mph |
| Redline | 7,600 rpm |
| Active Aerodynamics | 3-position rear spoiler (243 lbs downforce max) |
| Starting Price | €240,000 (~$283,000) |
| Launch Date | Early 2026 (Europe), Q3 2026 (US) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What’s the main difference between the Amalfi and the Roma it replaces? A: The Amalfi brings back physical buttons on the steering wheel, features a redesigned interior with aluminum center console, offers 19 more horsepower (631 hp total), and has updated exterior styling that eliminates the controversial perforated grille.
Q: When will the Ferrari Amalfi be available for purchase? A: European deliveries begin in early 2026, with U.S. deliveries starting in the third quarter of 2026 as a 2027 model year vehicle.
Q: How much does the 2027 Ferrari Amalfi cost? A: The starting price is approximately €240,000 in Europe, which translates to roughly $275,000-$283,000 in the United States.