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.
The Daily Mail’s Ray Massey pictured with the new Ferrari Amalfi – named after the beautiful Italian seaside resort and coastal town – that has done away with fiddly touchscreen settings
Bosses admitted that they had gone ‘too far’ in replacing physical knobs and buttons on the Roma – confessing that well-heeled owners had voiced their displeasure ‘very loudly’ about the over-use of fumbling touchscreen controls
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’.
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, says Ray
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).
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. It’s expected to cost from around £200k
On the outside, every body panel of the new Amalfi (left) is new – though it still does closely resemble the Roma (right) it replaces
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
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.’
New Ferrari Amalfi: Will it fit in my garage?
On sale: Now
First UK deliveries: Spring 2026
UK price: Circa £200,000
DIMENSIONS
Length: 4,660mm
Width: 1,974mm
Height: 1,301mm
Wheelbase: 2,670mm
Seating: 2-plus (only room for small children in the back. But has Isofix)
Dry weight: 1,479kg
Fuel tank capacity: 80 litres
Boot size: 273 litres
PERFORMANCE
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol
Power: 640 horsepower (up 20hp on the Roma)
Transmission: 8 speed dual clutch F1 DCT
0 to 62mph: 3.3 seconds (0.1 seconds faster than Roma)
0 to 124mph: 9.0 seconds
Top speed: 198.4mph
Braking distance 62mph to 0mph: 30.8 metres
Fuel consumption: TBA
