Ferrari’s latest convertible, the Roma Spider, is set to make history as the first front engine soft top produced by the manufacturer in the last 54 years. Inspired by the timeless elegance of the Italian lifestyle throughout the 1950s and 1960s, the Roma Spider is a stunning display of chic design and high performance. With deliveries expected to commence in Australia by the second quarter of 2024, let’s look at what makes this vehicle the best convertible on the market.
Similarly to Ferrari’s coupe range, the Roma Spider is equipped with a 3.9-litre twin turbo V8 engine. This produces up to 456kW and 760Nm that can be delivered to the rear wheels using the eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. While it is over 80kg heavier than the coupe, Ferrari maintains that the Roma Spider can reach 0-100km/h in 3.4 seconds with a top speed of over 320 km/h. In addition, the suspension built into this convertible excels at balancing a smooth ride with enough grip to easily negotiate tight curves and corners. The convertible feels effortlessly quick as it unlocks 80% of its torque at 1,900rpm as the automatic clutch shifts smoothly between gears. These shifts can be monitored and controlled via the steering wheel mounted mannttino dial and can help override the programmed Comfort mode- although to access automatic shift at the redline, Wet Mode needs to be engaged first.
Besides its efficient drive, the Roma Spider is also aesthetically magnificent. The body of the car is flawlessly curved and devoid of any vents or unnecessary decorative features, creating a sleek and seamless design. All required grilles for engine cooling have been reimagined using an innovative perforated surface design and are finished in the same colour as the main bodywork helping to blend them into the car’s form. The full LED headlights are crossed with a DRL strip, adding character to the front of the car. Meanwhile, the rear lights are reduced in a technologically advanced design that integrates them into the wrap-around tail to create an aerodynamic look.
Drivers can control the drag on the car using the active spoiler built into the vehicle’s boot lid. This modifies the car’s aerodynamics depending on its speed and acceleration, deploying into three positions: Low Drag, Medium Downforce, and High Downforce. In terms of storage, Ferrari assures that the Roma Spider offers up to 255 litres of boot space when the roof is up. There is also a pass-through port in the rear pew to accommodate for longer items like skis.
The star feature of the Roma Spider’s exterior is ultimately the soft top roof. The fabric used was specially selected to complement the stylish and sporty appearance of the car. The refined quality material comes in four bespoke colour combinations and uses a two-tone weave to create a striking iridescent finish. The roof can be retracted at speeds of up to 63 km/h, doing so in a prompt 13.5 seconds. When the soft top is down, a wind deflector is employed at the rear of the cabin to reduce turbulence at speeds up to 170km/h.
Moving inside the car, Ferrari has included a dual-cockpit layout where the symmetrical distribution of functional elements creates a shared driving experience. These areas wrap around the driver and the passenger as they extend from the dashboard to the rear seats, incorporating the dash, doors, rear bench, and centre tunnel. Regarding the centre tunnel, the area features a sleek metal plate made to resemble a classic manual gear shift but, instead, includes a series of switches to operate the dual-clutch transmission. As well as leather and suede upholstery, the Roma Spider is furnished with a digital instrument display and touchscreen infotainment system that supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
The Roma Spider will enter the market at $520,300, before on-road costs. Although the manufacturer also offers personalisation options for an additional cost, these include 20-inch diamond wheels at $9462 and Daytona style seats for $5814; while custom colour options can range between $14,584 and $69,001.