This one-of-one grand tourer is a mix of Japanese culture and Italian design flair.
If you’ve got around $220,000 burning a hole in your Gucci wallet, you may want to take a look at the Ferrari Roma. Maranello’s grand tourer is a thing of beauty; sweeping graceful lines flow from stem to stern and hint at the continent-crossing performance on offer – under the long hood sits a twin-turbocharged 3.9-liter V8 with 612 horsepower.
It should prove to be an exclusive affair and, unless you live in Beverly Hills, you’re unlikely to see another one on a regular basis. But if you want to add some individuality, Ferrari’s Tailor Made department will be happy to help. In fact, the automotive atelier has just added several unique touches to the Roma, resulting in a one-of-a-kind creation.
Approached by the Prancing Horse, design publication Cool Hunting set about creating the ultimate custom Roma, with the aim of pushing the envelope as far as possible. The result? A Ferrari that melds the very best of Italian and Japanese design and culture.
Drawing inspiration from traditional Japanese indigo dyes, the unique Roma wears specially developed blue paintwork called Indigo Metal. Far more subtle than the brand’s signature Rosso Corsa, it works beautifully with the Roma’s sleek bodywork.
Copper is also an ongoing design theme. Influenced by a renowned maker of copper tea canisters, Cool Hunting adopted the distinctive shade, applying it to the five-spoke wheels. While unusual, it complements the rich paintwork beautifully. This recurring motif can be found within the snug cabin, where the extraordinary shade can be found around the gear shifter and levers. These items were copper plated in Japan.
The precious metal has enjoyed a resurgence of late, with several carmakers making it available as an interior or exterior finish. The indigo paintwork is mirrored by the sumptuous upholstery. The roof lining is a thing of beauty and is crafted with two indigo-dyed materials.
The first of the two hides is color-matched to the exterior, but the second piece heightens the attention to detail. Using the Roketsu method which dates back to the eighth century, craftsmen make use of wax resist-dying which creates unique patterns. The hides then made their way over to Italy, where artisans created the final product you see below.
The indigo shade is repeated on the seats and carpets, which feature elegant sakiori fabric. Often, when the design and automotive sector comes together, the results are less than desirable. However, we must say this one-of-one Ferrari Roma is an exceptional piece of design and blends Italian flair with Japanese culture beautifully.
Then again, when Ferrari puts its mind to creating something beautiful, the company seldom fails to deliver. If you want to catch a glimpse of the striking Roma in person, the Italian grand tourer will be put on display in Ferrari’s Tailor Made Showroom, during New York Design Week.
