It would seem paradoxical to call a coupe built by Ferrari an entry-level vehicle. But in the magical world of ultra-desirable sportscars bearing the prancing horse logo, the magnificent Roma coupe is indeed just that.
Now the Italian sports car maker has taken this already impressive two-door and transformed it into a beautiful roadster, the Ferrari Roma Spider. With the Portofino M hardtop convertible being discontinued, the new Roma Spider will now be the Italian marque’s entry-level drop-top. Incidentally, the new model is the first Ferrari with a soft top since the F430 Spider and the first front-engined Ferrari with a fabric top since the 1969 365GTS/4.
Entry level or not, the Roma Spider is an absolute stunner, with its sleek and aerodynamic lines and its distinctive front grille. With the top down, the Roma’s low and wide stance, and the classic sports car profile with the long hood and short overhangs are enhanced considerably. The retractable fabric roof smoothly folds away in just 13.5 seconds to reveal the open sky above, even up to speeds of 60 kph.
Under the hood, the Ferrari Roma Spider is powered by the same 3.9-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, producing a whopping 612 horsepower and 760Nm of torque, and mated to the same eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. The car can go from 0 to 100 kph in just 3.4 seconds and hit 200 kph in a mere 9.7 seconds on its way to a top speed of 320 kph. Ferrari says the impact of chopping the roof on aerodynamics has been mitigated by making modifications to the bodywork and a new mobile spoiler geometry. This setup guarantees three different spoiler positions, particularly calibrated for top-down driving, and lends the Spider downforce comparable with the Roma coupe. This means the drop-top’s handling will be equally impressive, with the advanced suspension system and electronic stability control and the incredibly precise steering sure to make it a dream around tight corners and through winding roads. The car’s carbon-ceramic brakes provide exceptional stopping power, allowing the driver to bring the car to a halt from 100 kph in just 32 metres and from 200 kph in 130 metres.
Inside the cabin, the Roma Spider retains the charm and sophistication of Italian craftsmanship, with the interiors bathed in sumptuous leather featuring intricate stitching and detailing. The dashboard and centre console are sleek and modern, with a large infotainment screen that is easy to use and packed with features.
The Ferrari Roma Spider is an exceptional car that brings to the table everything you would expect from Maranello, combining style, performance, and luxury in a way that few other cars can match.
