Whether on a Vespa scooter or in a Fiat 500C, coasting freely along the picturesque roads of the Amalfi Coast Drive Tour from Sorrento to Vietri sul Mare feels as surreal and wondrous as Italy itself. Organized tours of such drives have become something of a staple for tourism services in the region, as the Amalfi Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has flourished to become one of the most alluring places on the Italian coastline. Those seeking thrills and secluded places with long and rich histories are likely well aware of the Amalfi Coast and all its cliffs. As it turns out, Italy’s most outstanding car manufacturer—Ferrari—figured that one of its cars should bear the name of such a recognized region. Following its long-lasting practice of naming cars after regions or cities in Italy (and elsewhere), Ferrari bestowed the name Amalfi on none other than the successor of the beautiful and famed Roma.
The Ferrari Amalfi, revealed in July 2025, took a nuanced design departure from the Roma, keeping that dashing silhouette intact but adding a bit of flair with a sharper rear end, a tad more conservative rear spoiler (that still adds 110 kilograms of downforce at 155 miles per hour [mph]) and a slightly redesigned front end—now without that distinctive grille. True, the changes on the outside are not as pronounced as one would hope from a car that bears a completely new name. That said, the Amalfi most certainly continues the 21st-century automotive design erotica that only a few manufacturers can match (Aston Martin with its Vantage S is one that pops to mind). Now adorned with an almost flat rear end that, surprisingly, fits better than the old “pointy” rear deck, the Amalfi does emanate a slightly more polished appearance compared to what has been shown on the Roma. What has, luckily, remained are the courageous paint schemes and presence of utmost confidence that Roma proudly flaunted from the moment it set its tires on Italian soil.
The Corvette ZR1X is an unlikely competitor to the Ferrari Amalfi
Although Ferrari’s pricing scheme is not exactly common knowledge, the MSRP (manufacturer’s suggested retail price) of the Roma was in the vicinity of $250,000 in 2023 and 2024, so the estimated price for the Ferrari Amalfi of $280,000 in 2025 does not seem far-fetched. This number, however, is really close to the estimated price of yet another car revealed in July 2025: the Corvette ZR1X.
Compared to the front mid-engine layout of the Amalfi and its coupe architecture, the Corvette ZR1X is a rear mid-engine hypercar with an electric motor on the front axle and all-wheel drive (AWD). However you cut it, these two cars are like night and day, yet their price points are strangely close.
The gear in the Corvette seems to be on par with some of the world’s quickest and fastest cars. Its 5.5-liter flat-plane crank V8 engine with dual turbochargers develops a staggering 1,064 horsepower (hp)—more than any American-made road-car engine in history. Coupled with the 186-horsepower electric motor on the front axle, this setup bestows the ZR1X with a combined output of 1,250 horsepower. For comparison, the V8 in the Amalfi, although state-of-the-art, develops 640 horsepower (20 horsepower more than before), making the Amalfi a serious contender in the world of high-end sports cars.
Obviously, these two cars cannot go head-to-head in any race, but they do represent two different engineering philosophies cooked up on two different sides of the world. If the Ferrari Amalfi represents the best that can be had for that drive along the Amalfi Coast, then the ZR1X, which looks a bit more outrageous than even a Lamborghini, could be the perfect option to hit the famed Route 66—if for nothing more than the cheap thrills that this car, capable of accelerating to 60 mph in less than 2 seconds, can definitely provide. The sheer brilliance of the ZR1X package promises levels of performance matched only by the very best in the business—hypercars such as the McLaren W1 or the Ferrari F80. Whether anyone likes it or not, this potentially sub-$300,000 Corvette hypercar is able to match the speeds of much more expensive European competitors.
Incredible speed
Ever since the horsepower wars began—sometime around the introduction of the Ferrari Enzo and the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren in the early 2000s—the automotive world has chased after ever more outrageous speeds. This has brought us into a time when the entry-level Ferrari develops just shy of 650 hp, while the “affordable” hypercar, such as this very ambitious Corvette, can take on even the most capable cars ever produced. As power always comes with great responsibility, Ferrari and General Motors figured that they needed to make these cars as safe and as manageable to drive as possible. The included tech does attend to this concern, as the Corvette gained eAWD (electric all-wheel drive) chassis control, regenerative brake torque vectoring, front axle pre-control and torque control. All these solutions working in conjunction make it possible for the driver to utilize incredible power and convert it into speed. While the 0-60-mph time is definitely incredible, the fact that the Corvette can maintain 1G (standard gravity) of acceleration up until 80 mph is even more astounding. It can achieve 1G of lateral acceleration as well.
The Amalfi, a coupe cruiser with a two-plus-seat layout, isn’t poised for such ferociousness; however, 640 horsepower is more than enough to put a smile on anyone’s face. After all, that’s almost as much power as what drivers of the famed Enzo enjoyed all those years ago. To keep it all in check, Ferrari refined its brake-by-wire tech, recalibrated the steering box and integrated an ABS Evo controller that adjusts feedback for all surfaces and conditions. Of course, a comprehensive suite of ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems) technologies was a no-brainer. All the newly developed tech is added to the whole aura of a progressive, peculiarly alluring Amalfi, thus making it even more appealing to young drivers.
The Amalfi’s interior also introduced a couple of novelties. First of all, touch-control surfaces on the steering wheel are a thing of the past. The new steering wheel does have physical buttons. After much backlash from customers, Ferrari offered this type of steering wheel to current owners of Ferraris with touch-sensitive control surfaces. Rather cool, it must be said. Continuing in the same breath, Ferrari reworked the infotainment system and removed part of the central console, all in an effort to improve the overall feel of spaciousness.
Moving onto the Corvette ZR1X from the gorgeous Amalfi may seem like a downgrade to some. However, the Corvette’s interior is not bad per se—after all, GM just revised it for the Stingray, E-Ray, Z06 and ZR1. It gained better-sorted screens and new materials and color options throughout, as well as new placements for buttons. Yet, it somehow lacks that certain flair of opulence that the Amalfi cabin definitely boasts in spades.
This showdown does not feel fair, but the price points of these two cars are too close for comfort
A casual, inspired ride along the coastline or a full-speed stint at the track can be seen as two completely different experiences. The Corvette ZR1X is the ultimate car for the latter, while the Ferrari Amalfi may well be the perfect ride for the former! Yet, the prices of both these experiences are similar.