Ferrari drops the top on the Roma
Photos: Ferrari
The roof of the elegant Ferrari Roma has been chopped to create the 2024 Roma Spider, a successor to the Portofino M and the company's first front-engined soft top since the 1969 365GTS/4.
Designed by the Ferrari Styling Center, headed by Flavio Manzoni, the Roma Spider is essentially the open-top version of the Roma coupé unveiled in 2019. It now includes an "innovative" soft-top, allowing you to enjoy the Italian grand tourer with the wind in your hair. Like the coupe variant, it features a 2+2 seating configuration and a 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, which still produces a whopping 612 horsepower and 561 pound-feet of torque. All this power is sent to the rear wheels via a dual-clutch eight-speed paddle-shift transmission. The Roma spider reaches 62 mph in under 3.4 seconds onto a top speed of 198 mph.
Ferrari kept the exterior mostly the same, with the Roma Spider retaining the coupe's long hood and smooth curves. However, the company redesigned the rear spoiler, added a wind deflector, and strengthened the chassis and bodywork.
The fastback roofline was modified to accommodate the soft top, which folds beneath the tonneau cover when open. Despite strengthening the rear end, the Roma Spider weighs only 185 pounds more than the coupe.
The retractable soft top can be opened/closed in 13.5 seconds at speeds up to 37 mph and is made of special multi-layer fabric weaves.
The wind deflector integrated into the backrest of the rear bench may be activated by a button on the central tunnel, ensuring great in-vehicle occupant comfort while taking up no space in the car.
An active rear spoiler is perfectly concealed in the rear lid, not even slightly interfering with the car's line, and visually connecting with the rear bench and headrests when the soft top is lowered. It can deploy into three positions that boost downforce as you drive faster, and it has been updated and optimized for roofless driving.
The Roma Spider’s long rear overhang, reminiscent of 1950s and 1960s Ferraris, appears re-proportioned thanks to a low, compact volume that hugs the back axle.
On the other hand, the cabin features an 8.4-inch vertical screen and metal gear selector plate that have the same upscale appearance as the original Roma, and they are both encircled by plush leather and faux suede. The start button now glows red and the steering wheel buttons have been improved for ease of use.
The Roma Spider comes equipped with the most recent version of the Slide Slip Control system, which handles traction and stability control and enables predictable drifts. Additionally, Ferrari made minor improvements to the gearbox that increase fuel efficiency.
Although a price has not yet been announced, it is likely to be considerably more expensive than the coupé's $268,895 USD starting price.