New Car Preview: 2026 Ferrari Amalfi Debuts with Bold Styling and a Familiar Turbo V-8 Punch : Automotive Addicts

Automotive

Ferrari is charting a new course in its design language, and the 2026 Amalfi is the latest example of the brand’s evolving visual identity. While the outgoing Roma won hearts with its elegant proportions and understated flair, the new Amalfi steps into its place with a sharper, more assertive front end that might take some getting used to for die-hard fans. Still, beneath the skin, it holds onto a key part of Ferrari’s magic — that addictive twin-turbo V-8, now tuned for even more power.

Visually, the Amalfi doesn’t stray far from the Roma in terms of overall silhouette. It’s still a sleek, front-engined 2+2 coupe with graceful haunches and a long, sculpted hood. But look closer and you’ll notice the front fascia has taken cues from recent Ferrari models like the SF90 and 12Cilindri. A sharknose-style grille and a slim black strip that ties together the narrow LED headlights give the Amalfi a more aggressive, futuristic face. Around back, it retains the familiar four-pod taillight layout, now unified with a dark trim bar connecting the inner lights for a cleaner, more cohesive finish.

This design shift is part of Ferrari’s broader aesthetic evolution, one that hasn’t always resonated immediately with longtime enthusiasts. Like the SF90 when it first launched, the Amalfi’s look may feel like a departure at first glance — but over time, the new face could become another classic. Ferrari has long been a master of making controversial designs grow on people, and the Amalfi might follow that same trajectory.

Step inside, and the most welcome change comes not in what’s added, but in what’s been taken away. Ferrari has finally abandoned the finicky touch-capacitive controls that drew widespread criticism in recent years. The Amalfi features real, physical buttons on the steering wheel once again, including a tactile, titanium start button positioned on the left. It’s a small but meaningful victory for drivers who value intuitive controls over digital gimmickry.

Powering the Amalfi is the same 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 found in the Roma, now boosted to 631 horsepower — a 19-horse bump over its predecessor — while maintaining a stout 561 lb-ft of torque. That extra muscle helps the Amalfi sprint from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.3 seconds and hit a top speed just shy of 200 mph. Ferrari credits the added power to lighter camshafts, a more refined engine block, and improved turbo calibration, along with lower-viscosity oil to reduce friction and enhance responsiveness.

A familiar eight-speed dual-clutch transmission sends power exclusively to the rear wheels, ensuring that the Amalfi retains the purity and engagement Ferrari fans expect. But this is still a thoroughly modern grand tourer, packed with technology to enhance performance and safety. Drivers will experience Ferrari’s brake-by-wire system, borrowed from the 296 and 12Cilindri, as well as an active rear spoiler that adjusts automatically based on speed. At its most aggressive setting, the wing can generate 242 pounds of downforce at 155 mph while adding minimal drag.

Handling is further enhanced by Ferrari’s Side Slip Control 6.1 system, which actively manages the interplay between steering, suspension, throttle, and yaw to keep the car planted and predictable in all conditions. On the safety front, the Amalfi brings a full suite of ADAS features, including adaptive cruise control, emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and more — making it as comfortable on a long-distance cruise as it is on a mountain road.

While official pricing hasn’t been announced, it’s expected that the Amalfi will start near the $300,000 mark, up from the Roma’s $247,308 base price at the time of its departure in 2024. With inflation and added tech, that figure seems justified. Ferrari hasn’t yet confirmed when deliveries will begin, but production is expected to start before the end of 2025. And for those waiting for open-air thrills, a convertible version seems all but certain — Ferrari has already trademarked the Amalfi Spider name.

The 2026 Ferrari Amalfi represents a fascinating blend of continuity and bold evolution. It carries forward the soul of the Roma while signaling a new chapter in Ferrari’s design language. It may take a moment for enthusiasts to fully embrace its fresh face, but as with many Ferraris before it, the Amalfi is poised to age gracefully — both in style and performance.

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