Latest news with #Galliera
Miami Herald
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Ferrari Agrees: Touch-Sensitive Steering Wheel Buttons Were a Bad Idea
There's a new Ferrari in town, and it's called the Amalfi. Continuing the automaker's penchant for naming sports cars with Italian landmarks, the Amalfi, which is the successor to the Roma, brings evolutionary styling and upgraded tech to the base-level Ferrari model. However, its most welcome feature is something refreshingly simple: proper physical, tactile buttons on the steering wheel. With the Amalfi's arrival, Ferrari has officially backtracked on one of its most criticized decisions – its insistence on using touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel. Introduced on models like the SF90 and Roma, the system aimed to enhance modernity and performance, but instead left many owners fumbling through menus mid-drive or accidentally activating features while on a spirited drive. Speaking to Top Gear, Ferrari marketing boss Enrico Galliera explained the company's reasoning behind the haptic controls, and its subsequent reversal. "Our philosophy is always 'hands on the wheel, eyes on the road.' But we were finding people were having too much time with their eyes also on the wheel. We listened to our customers," he admitted. He added that while touch controls may be faster on a smartphone, the experience in a moving supercar proved far less intuitive. Galliera also acknowledged that Ferrari's HMI (human-machine interface) "was probably too advanced and not 100 percent perfect in use." The touch interface had been developed in pursuit of performance and speed, mirroring the ultra-fast SF90's hybrid system, but ultimately didn't match the needs of drivers in the real world. Now, Ferrari is "re-balancing, not changing" its design strategy. Design chief Flavio Manzoni seconded the move. "Beauty is simplicity," he told Top Gear, reinforcing the notion that elegance and usability can – and should – coexist in a Ferrari. Best of all, the tactile steering wheel buttons are not a feature locked to the new Amalfi. According to Ferrari's product development chief Gianmaria Fulgenzi, several existing models - including the 296 GTB, Purosangue, SF90, and 12Cilindri - can be retrofitted with the new steering wheel setup. "Yes, you can have it," Fulgenzi told Top Gear. "We don't even have to replace the whole wheel. Just the center." The retrofit can be performed at any Ferrari dealer, and after a short test drive to verify calibration, drivers are good to go. It's a rare move for a brand like Ferrari to admit fault so directly, but one that's bound to earn goodwill from customers who've long wanted the brand's supercars to get back to just being great to drive. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
TimesLIVE
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Ferrari unveils new Amalfi as Roma replacement
The starting price for the new model is set at €240,000 (R4,983,081), with first deliveries to clients scheduled in the first quarter of next year, starting from Europe. Deliveries to US clients are expected to start three to six months later, at a higher price due to import tariffs. Orders for the Amalfi are being opened on Tuesday but Ferrari's dealers received lots of expressions of interest from clients, Galliera said. The Roma coupé has gone out of production while its retractable-top version, introduced in 2023, remains in Ferrari's range.
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Ferrari unveils new 'Amalfi' petrol coupe ahead of EV launch
Ferrari revealed its new Amalfi coupe on Tuesday as the luxury sportscar maker mixes petrol and hybrid models in its range while preparing for the launch of its first fully electric vehicle. The eight-cylinder, 3.85-litre Amalfi replaces and upgrades the successful 2019 Roma in the entry segment of Ferrari's range and comes just two months after the launch of the 296 Speciale hybrid car and its convertible version. Ferrari will begin unveiling its first EV in October this year in a three-stage process culminating in a world premiere next spring. However, a second EV model that would aim for wider sales is not expected before 2028, because of a substantial lack of demand for high-performance luxury EVs, sources have told Reuters. The Amalfi has similar dimensions to the Roma, differing in its exterior look from its predecessor mainly for its redesigned front. Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer Enrico Galliera said the Amalfi was a true Ferrari sportscar in terms of high performance, technology and driving pleasure, but it also had a "very elegant soul". "It allows for a different driving experience, less extreme but equally fun, it's suitable for a wide range of driving conditions," he said. The Amalfi is purely powered by an internal combustion engine which delivers 640 horsepower for a top speed of 320 kilometres per hour. It features a rear integrated active spoiler, contributing to the car's stability at high speed, the company said. Like the Roma, the Amalfi is a 2+ coupe, meaning it has two small rear seats. The starting price for the new model is set at 240,000 euros ($281,000), with first deliveries to clients scheduled in the first quarter of next year, starting from Europe. Deliveries to U.S. clients are expected to start three to six months later, at a higher price due to import tariffs. Orders for the Amalfi are being opened on Tuesday but Ferrari's dealers already received lots of expressions of interest from clients, Galliera said. The Roma coupe has gone out of production, while its retractable-top version, that was introduced in 2023, currently remains in Ferrari's range.
Daily Mail
01-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Ferrari admits it went touchscreen crazy as it reverts back to buttons for new £200,000 Amalfi sports car
Ferrari has unveiled its new 200mph Amalfi sports car – and the big news is buttons are back as the world's most famous automotive marque admits even it had gone touchscreen bonkers. This is not only great news for those whose bank accounts can stretch to the £200,000 price-tag for the coupe unveiled on Tuesday as the replacement for the outgoing Roma, it's yet another victory for all motorists fed up with the motor industry's infatuation with distracting digital displays. For where Ferrari goes, others will ultimately follow. At the unveiling of the new Amalfi at Ferrari's legendary factory in Maranello, Italy, bosses admitted that they had gone 'too far' in replacing physical knobs and buttons on the Roma (which launched in 2019) – confessing that well-heeled owners had voiced their displeasure 'very loudly' about the over-use of fumbling touchscreen controls. That included replacing the 'iconic' Ferrari 'start-stop' button to fire up the car with a digital button on the dashboard screen. Now Ferrari has slammed its drive to digital into rapid reverse. And not only has the physical start-stop button been brought back, so too have a host of other commands switched back from screen to knobs and buttons on the steering wheel and dashboard. Ferrari's decision to revert back to buttons encapsulates what millions of motorists have been saying for years to motor industry bosses: stop giving us distracting touchscreen commands that the majority loathe and bring back sensible physical controls that real humans actually want. Studies show that many touchscreens are distracting and car-giants like Volkswagen - with the Golf - have been criticised for an overemphasis on digital commands. Chief marketing and commercial officer Enrico Galliera said that central to Ferrari's new philosophy is: 'Eyes on the road, hands on the wheel'. In its desire to remain cutting edge in technology, Ferrari had sought to bring the most up date technology to bear in its cars. But he admitted: 'We went too far.' 'It was honestly too advanced and not perfect. It's feedback that we received very loudly from our clients'. There was still a place for the digital touchscreen, he said, but stressed: 'The most used buttons should be physical – including the iconic start-stop button.' In what Ferrari calls the 'human machine interface', the balance had shifted too far. 'The digital was pushed too much. So some functions have come back from digital to physical buttons. This was asked for by customers,' Galliera added. He stressed: 'People drive cars. We have to put humans first. We recognise that'. The cabin of the new Ferrari Amalfi (left) compared to the Roma (right), which it is replacing The new Ferrari Amalfi – named after the beautiful Italian seaside resort and coastal town – now has a fresh compliment of switches alongside a 10.25-inch digital dashboard display and a new steering wheel design. On the outside, every body panel is new - though it still does closely resemble the Roma it replaces. The GT car uses a 640 horsepower (20hp more than Roma) 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine linked to an eight-speed automatic dual clutch F1 gearbox with manual override. Simply put, this can propel it from rest to 62mph in just 3.3 seconds - some 0.1 seconds faster than the car it succeeds. Top speed is given officially as 198.4mph (320km/hr). On the outside, every body panel of the new Amalfi (left) is new - though it still does closely resemble the Roma (right) it replaces But Ferrari stresses it is not just about power and speed, but about increased throttle and gear responsiveness (especially in the key third and fourth gear change) and aerodynamic performance, versatile sports car driveability, safety, understated elegance, a hi tech interior and a distinctive Ferrari soundtrack from the exhaust pipes. An active rear wing adds to the aerodynamic downforce to keep the new car grounded at speed, while the braking by wire system brings it to a stop from 62mph in 30.8m and from 124mph in 119.5mph. There is only room for small children in the back - and it does have Isofix fittings for child seats for those who want to make use of the rear chairs. The Amalfi (left) replaces the Roma (right), which has been Ferrari's GT offering since 2019 An active rear wing adds to the aerodynamic downforce to keep the new car grounded at speed, while the braking by wire system brings it to a stop from 62mph in 30.8m and from 124mph in 119.5mph Order books are open now for the new Amalfi with first deliveries (left hand drive) from the start of 2026 and first UK deliveries from spring. And the first chance for UK audiences to see it in the metal will be on a static stand at this month's Goodwood Festival of Speed along with a host of other Ferraris, including the 296 Speciale, SF 90 XX Spider and F80. A cabriolet version of the new Amalfi with a fabric retractable roof is expected to follow but no official announcement has been made yet. The previous Roma coupe and cabriolet were unveiled simultaneously. Ferrari marketing boss Galliera added: 'The name is Ferrari Amalfi. Why? Because the Amalfi Coast is one of the most beautiful places in southern Italy, rich in heritage, elegance, and the spirit of La Nuova Dolce Vita. 'It's where people from around the world come to celebrate summer, enjoy life, and hopefully drive a car like this. 'Ferrari Amalfi is a tribute to that place and to the beautiful car we're introducing. 'The new Ferrari Amalfi is a tribute to the town that inspired it.'
Malay Mail
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- Malay Mail
Ferrari unveils new 296 Speciale hybrid models ahead of EV launch
MARANELLO (Italy), April 30 — Ferrari refreshed its hybrid range on Tuesday with the new 296 Speciale and its convertible version as the luxury sports car maker prepares for its first leap into the fully electric era. Ferrari, which will present its first EV in October, showcased the two new plug-in hybrid models at its Maranello headquarters, in northern Italy. They are based on the 2021 Ferrari 296, a car now approaching the end of its life cycle. The 296 Speciale is lighter, more powerful and with improved aerodynamics, Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer Enrico Galliera said, adding it was focused on performance and driving pleasure. 'It's not a car for everyone, we won't widen our client base with it,' he said during the presentation. 'It's a model for our historic clients, who know Ferrari very well and seek driving thrill'. The 296 Speciale packs a three-litre, six-cylinder, 700 horsepower combustion engine. Its electric component adds a further 180 horsepower. Deliveries are expected to start in the first quarter of next year, while the retractable top version, known as the 'A', will be available in the second quarter. The new car will have a price tag in Italy of 407,000 euros ($449,000), rising to 462,000 euros for the convertible, which puts them in the mid- to high-end of Ferrari's price range. Prices will be higher in the United States by an amount still to be defined, Galliera said, after Ferrari announced last month it was increasing prices of some of its cars in the country by up to 10 per cent in response to tariffs. Only some models approaching the end of their life cycles are being excluded from U.S. price increases. Order books for the 296 Speciale open on Tuesday, but interest is already high, Galliera said. Clients who have interacted with an official Ferrari dealer in the past five years will have a priority in placing orders. Though not a limited-series model, its exclusivity will be preserved by keeping its life cycle shorter than the four-to-five years typical for other Ferrari models, Galliera added. Ferrari's first fully electric car, breaking its tradition of roaring petrol engines, will be unveiled on October 9 in Maranello. 'It will be something completely different. But we've been developing skills on components for EVs for more than a decade,' Galliera said. CEO Benedetto Vigna reaffirmed this month Ferrari would continue to make petrol and hybrid cars, as well as EVs. He added the company would launch a total of six new models this year, including the fully-electric one. — REUTERS
