Ferrari Roma - Test Drive

Guy

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sorry but who really wants a turbo with so many wonderful NA engines still available (V8 Maser, V12 Ferrari, V10 Audi, etc)
 

bigbob

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8,952
Really, I think the updated F-type looks too generic and almost Audi. The Roma, in the right colour, is a truly beautiful design, whereas the original F-type was but for me, now has lost it's edge. Jaguar did this many moons ago with the E-type too, with tseries 1 being superb and then they started ruining it with chrome, open headlights and such baubles.

There is little doubt there is a Roma in my future. Just not for a couple of years or until they have halved in value, which is sadly inevitable.

Sensible move on timing. Was looking at my mate's 488 yesterday as it was on a Scottish road trip and it is jus too wide for many of the roads where I live. The F Type is too short IMHO and needs some extra length behind the driver. Cracking V8 engine though and wonderful sound.
 

outrun

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5,017
sorry but who really wants a turbo with so many wonderful NA engines still available (V8 Maser, V12 Ferrari, V10 Audi, etc)

I hear you, and I own a v12. I went to the Roma drive thinking it couldn't possible make a se-xy noise as the 488, Portofino that I have heard don't sound great. I was dead wrong, the noise is fantastic and made me think it doesn't even need exhausts mods. The turbo is almost unnoticeable in that there is no lag, to speak of. Instead it's just always eager to go, any gear, any revs. Rocketship country overtakes were especially fun.
 
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Ewan

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I don’t get the whole anti-turbo thing. You never hear anyone say Integrales, F40s and 959s are **** because they’ve got turbos.
Even though the turbos on those particular cars were actually a bit xxxx and laggy! Thankfully modern turbos are streets ahead.
 

Wattie

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8,640
I don’t get the whole anti-turbo thing. You never hear anyone say Integrales, F40s and 959s are **** because they’ve got turbos.
hilarious init.
Anti Turbo, when they’re about to be served up
Electric whiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine forever and everrrrrrrrrrrr
 

outrun

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I don’t get the whole anti-turbo thing. You never hear anyone say Integrales, F40s and 959s are **** because they’ve got turbos.

It's a noise thing. These older turbo cars tended to be muted or have the turbo whistle, which isn't as cool as the supercharger whine. The engineers have sorted this out though and the new ones don't sound turbo charged.
 

Oneball

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11,075
It's a noise thing. These older turbo cars tended to be muted or have the turbo whistle, which isn't as cool as the supercharger whine. The engineers have sorted this out though and the new ones don't sound turbo charged.

I thought my 3200 with a standard exhaust was spot on.
 

Guy

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2,003
sorry to disagree guys but my M6 V8 turbo sounded rubbish compared my M6 V10, a new M3 vs E46 M3?, 458 vs 488?, current F1 engines? Old turbos were fun because they drove like turbos (I have owned a R5 Turbo2 and they really were basic), now they are attempting to (and getting closer to) the responsiveness of a NA motor. The only reason for their existence though is artificially measured CO2 and fuel consumption measures. Real world pollution and mpg is about the same but without the noise.
 

CatmanV2

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48,552
It's a noise thing. These older turbo cars tended to be muted or have the turbo whistle, which isn't as cool as the supercharger whine. The engineers have sorted this out though and the new ones don't sound turbo charged.

I have to say, although, clearly, the Bentley engineers were looking for something different I do miss the noise on my Continental. It's a car that sounds much better from outside than in. But will never be in the same league as a Grantourismo.

C
 

outrun

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5,017
sorry to disagree guys but my M6 V8 turbo sounded rubbish compared my M6 V10, a new M3 vs E46 M3?, 458 vs 488?, current F1 engines? Old turbos were fun because they drove like turbos (I have owned a R5 Turbo2 and they really were basic), now they are attempting to (and getting closer to) the responsiveness of a NA motor. The only reason for their existence though is artificially measured CO2 and fuel consumption measures. Real world pollution and mpg is about the same but without the noise.

I hear you and spent a whole Le Mans accusing Adam B of having a Ferrari 488 that sounded like a hairdryer. But the Roma is much much improved. Go for a test drive in one, I think you'll agree. But don't get me wrong, I had a Stradale with larini and now have a v12 with Novitec and Capristo bits so I love the noise. I really expected the Roma to be too quiet but was much surprised.
 
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Felonious Crud

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I hear you and spent a whole Le Mans accusing Adam B of having a Ferrari 488 that sounded like a hairdryer. But the Roma is much much improved. Go for a test drive in one, I think you'll agree. But don't get me wrong, I had a Stradale with larini and now have a v12 with Novitec and Capristo bits so I love the noise. I really expected the Roma to be too quiet but was much surprised.

Roma or Portofino M, fella?
 

Nayf

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2,734
Even though the turbos on those particular cars were actually a bit xxxx and laggy! Thankfully modern turbos are streets ahead.
For me that’s a huge part of their appeal.
Admittedly only as weekend special occasion cars, mind.
Not really a fan of modern ‘lag free’ turbo engines. Drove a 4C the other day and its turbocharged lump was neither nat asp linear and smooth, nor excitingly laggy, just a slightly disappointing midway point. And it farted rather than screamed. [Swiss Toni mode]And if driving a sportscar is much like making love to a beautiful woman, I know which I’d prefer it did. [\Swiss Toni mode]
 
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Twinspark

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The turbo cars of the 80s and 90s were a new thing and generally not the mainstream so they were interesting in comparison.

Technology wasn’t as good then so you had a lot of delay that we typically associate with the turbo driving experience. Lots of older turbo cars were a riot with their mid range punch and the quoted acceleration times of things like the Saab 99 Turbo and Audi RS2 outrunning much faster metal at a given mid range interval.

These days pretty much everything is packing a turbo albeit at different boost levels so it kind of got boring with the NA engines being the outliers now. For example back when the Shamal/3200GT were new there was only a handful of cars that had a turbocharged V8. Now its the standard fare for any performance saloon/SUV above a certain price level so the perspective really has changed.
 
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