A high-ranking Ferrari executive says the new front-engined Roma coupé was designed to appeal to drivers who “might be a bit afraid” of sportscars.

Speaking to Autocar at the reveal of the newest addition to Maranello’s stable, Enrico Galliera, Ferrari’s chief marketing and commercial officer, said the V8-powered Roma would appeal to those who had “never driven a sportscar”.

He explained the Roma had been conceived for those who would “love to drive a sportscar or a Ferrari, but might be a bit afraid of one".

“This car will attract people who have never driven a sportscar, who drive something less aggressive and now want something a bit more extreme,” Galliera told the British publication.

Galliera added "nobody can question this is a sportscar – but it's also very elegant".

Going up against the likes of Aston Martin’s Vantage and Mercedes-AMG’s GT coupé, the new Roma draws its urge from a version of Ferrari’s twin-turbo 3,9-litre V8 engine mated with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.

The front-mounted engine offers 456 kW and 760 N.m, which is enough, says Ferrari, for a sprint from zero to 100 km/h in a claimed 3,4 seconds. The 200 km/h mark is reached in a claimed 9,3 seconds, while top speed is listed as "more than" 320 km/h.

Original article from Car