Ferrari Roma vs Portofino is a choice many of our guests face when they want to drive a Ferrari in Dubai. Both cars share the same front-engine V8 layout, both have 2+2 seating, and both are built for elegant grand touring rather than track days. Yet they feel quite different once you are behind the wheel. The Roma is a sleek fixed-roof coupe with a timeless look, while the Portofino is a convertible with a folding hard top that opens the cabin to the Dubai sky. This guide compares them across 7 areas so you can pick the right Ferrari for your trip.
Ferrari Roma vs Portofino: The Quick Answer
Choose the Ferrari Roma if you want a beautiful, closed coupe with a cool, quiet cabin, a sharp silhouette for photos and a slightly sportier feel. Choose the Ferrari Portofino if you want open-air driving, the sound of the V8 with the roof down and the flexibility of a car that is both a coupe and a convertible. Both are excellent. The right one depends on how and when you plan to drive.
1. Design: Classic Coupe vs Modern Convertible
The Roma is often called one of the most beautiful Ferraris of recent years. Its long bonnet, short rear, smooth surfaces and slim lights take inspiration from the elegant Ferraris of the 1950s and 1960s, but in a clean, modern way. There are no big wings or aggressive vents. It looks calm and expensive, which is exactly why it photographs so well outside a hotel or along Sheikh Zayed Road at night.
The Portofino has a more classic sports car profile with a strong front grille and muscular rear haunches. With the roof up, it looks like a tidy coupe. With the roof down, it becomes a proper open-top Ferrari, and that changes its whole personality.
Winner for looks: the Roma if you prefer pure, minimal elegance. The Portofino if you love the convertible look.
2. Engine and Performance
Both cars use Ferrari’s award-winning 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8, mounted at the front and sending power to the rear wheels through an 8-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
- Ferrari Roma: around 620 cv (about 612 hp), 0 to 100 km/h in about 3.4 seconds and a top speed of more than 320 km/h.
- Ferrari Portofino: around 600 cv for the original Portofino and 620 cv for the updated Portofino M, with 0 to 100 km/h in about 3.5 seconds and a top speed of around 320 km/h.
On paper, the Ferrari Roma vs Portofino performance battle is very close. In practice the Roma feels a little lighter and more eager because it does not carry the folding roof mechanism. On a Dubai highway, both have far more performance than you will ever use legally, so the real difference is in character rather than raw speed.
The Manettino Switch
Both cars have Ferrari’s Manettino dial on the steering wheel. It lets you change how the car behaves, from a softer comfort setting for city traffic to a sharper sport setting that quickens the gearshifts and opens up the exhaust note. It is one of the most fun parts of driving any Ferrari.
3. Open-Air Driving: The Biggest Difference
This is where the two cars truly split. The Portofino has a retractable hard top that folds away in about 14 seconds, and you can operate it at low speeds. That means you can drop the roof as you leave the hotel and enjoy the skyline, the sea breeze and the full sound of the V8.
The Roma is a fixed-roof coupe, so the experience is more cocooned. That is not a weakness. A closed coupe keeps the cabin quieter, cooler and more private, which many drivers prefer. If open-air driving is high on your list, also take a look at our Mercedes convertible rental options.
Tip: Dubai’s cooler months from roughly November to March are the best time for roof-down driving. In peak summer, a closed coupe like the Roma is usually the more comfortable choice in the middle of the day.
4. Interior, Comfort and Tech
The Roma introduced Ferrari’s dual-cockpit interior, where the driver and passenger each get their own space. It has a fully digital curved driver display, a central touchscreen and a passenger display on many cars, so your passenger can see speed and other information. The design feels modern and very driver-focused.
The Portofino has a more traditional Ferrari cabin, with a digital instrument cluster, a central touchscreen and an optional passenger display. It is comfortable, well finished and easy to live with. With the roof down, the cabin feels wide open and social.
Both cars offer 2+2 seating, but the rear seats are small and best for bags or short trips. Think of both as cars for two adults.
5. City Driving in Dubai
Both Ferraris are surprisingly easy in daily traffic. The gearboxes are smooth in automatic mode, the ride is comfortable for a sports car and visibility is reasonable. Speed bumps and steep car park ramps need care, as with any low sports car.
The Roma’s closed body makes it feel calm and refined on longer drives, for example a trip from Dubai to Abu Dhabi. The Portofino shines on slower, scenic routes where you can enjoy the open roof, such as cruising through Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Beach Road or the Palm in the evening.
6. Best Occasions for Each Car
- Business meetings and corporate events: the Roma. It looks refined and understated, and a closed cabin keeps you fresh for your meeting.
- Birthdays and celebrations: the Portofino. Dropping the roof at a celebration feels special and gets everyone smiling.
- Photoshoots: both work well. The Roma’s clean lines suit fashion and lifestyle shoots, while the Portofino with the roof down gives a sunny, glamorous feel.
- Couples and anniversaries: the Portofino for an evening drive under the lights, or the Roma for a romantic dinner arrival.
- Weddings: the Roma for an elegant arrival, or the Portofino for the photos after the ceremony.
7. Ferrari Roma vs Portofino Comparison Table
| Feature | Ferrari Roma | Ferrari Portofino |
|---|---|---|
| Body style | 2+2 coupe (fixed roof) | 2+2 convertible (folding hard top) |
| Engine | 3.9L twin-turbo V8 | 3.9L twin-turbo V8 |
| Power | About 620 cv | About 600 cv (620 cv for Portofino M) |
| 0 to 100 km/h | About 3.4 s | About 3.5 s |
| Top speed | Over 320 km/h | About 320 km/h |
| Best for | Style, business, cooler cabin | Open-air cruising, celebrations |
Figures are manufacturer estimates and vary by model year and version.
Other Cars Worth Considering
If you want a more extreme Ferrari, the mid-engine Ferrari F8 is a true supercar. If you are open to other brands, the Lamborghini Huracan offers a wilder look and sound, and the Porsche 911 is a precise, everyday sports car. You can browse the full range on our supercar rental page.
Book Your Ferrari Roma or Portofino in Dubai
Still weighing up Ferrari Roma vs Portofino? Tell us your dates and plans, and our team will help you choose the Ferrari that fits your trip best. Message us on WhatsApp at +971 56 684 9661 to check availability and get a quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ferrari Roma vs Portofino: which is faster?
They are very close. The Roma reaches 0 to 100 km/h in about 3.4 seconds and the Portofino in about 3.5 seconds. The Roma feels slightly lighter because it has no folding roof.
Is the Ferrari Portofino a convertible?
Yes. The Portofino has a retractable hard top that folds in about 14 seconds. The Roma coupe has a fixed roof.
Can four people fit in the Roma or Portofino?
Both have 2+2 seating, but the rear seats are small. They are most comfortable for two adults, with the rear used for bags.
Which Ferrari is better for summer in Dubai?
The Roma’s closed cabin stays cooler in the heat of the day. The Portofino is ideal in the cooler months or for evening drives with the roof down.
What do I need to rent a Ferrari in Dubai?
You need to be at least 21, with a valid driving licence, a passport or Emirates ID and a credit card. See our terms and conditions for full details.
