Ferrari invites pleasure seekers to relive La Dolce Vita and experience the unique lifestyle in their newest model, the Roma Spider. Inspired by golden era of the travel of the 1950s and 60s, the Roma Spider aims to allow today’s VIPs to experience the joys of the era in a modern convertible.
Unlike its predecessor, the California T, the Roma Spider is a soft-top, and the first front-engined soft-top from the brand since 1969. The unusual choice, as opposed to today’s usual hard top convertibles, was a purposeful one. It gives the Roma Spider a classic silhouette with the roof serving as eye-catching contrast to the glossy body. It’s differentiated further by a body-colored band.
The roof folds away in just 13.5 seconds and can be operated at speeds of up to 60 km/h. The material is not made of the usual fabric and features a weave that highlights the sophisticated nature of the fabric itself. Special care had to be taken in its creation. The soft top mechanism required a redevelopment of the rear screen. When the soft top is lowered, the active spoiler connects with the rear bench and head rests. When stowed, it occupies a height of just 220 mm and this ensures a large enough trunk that stores up to 255 liters.
The Roma Spider bears the distinct styling cues of its coupe version. The front engine is cooled by perforated surfaces in tune with today’s integrated grille style and finished in the same color as the bodywork. Flanking it are full LED headlights. Behind, the taillight assembly has been reduced to the smallest size for a truly minimalist design. The shapely haunches house 20-inch wheels.
Inside, the Roma Spider’s interior has been created with a twin cockpit design. This is intended to make the front passenger will feel like a co-driver. The vehicle features a 2 + 2 layout with seats behind, though best used for luggage rather than other passengers.
The driver gets a digital instrument cluster, and the passenger has an optional display that allows them to see some driving info as well. At the center, an 8.4-inch center display for the infotainment and climate control with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto fitted as standard.
The steering wheel is Formula 1-inspired with most of the controls (turn signals, wipers, lights, high beams) located here. The left side has touch controls while the right side has a track pad for easier navigation. The Engine Start button is positioned in the bottom center of the wheel.
Powering the Roma Spider is a 3.9-liter twin turbo V8 paired to an 8-speed dual clutch automatic. It produces 620 horsepower at 7,500 rpm and 760 Nm at just 1,900 rpm. It features a new technology called Variable Boost Management that adjusts the torque to suit the gear selected keeping fuel consumption down in the city, but performance up on open roads.
The engine has been engineered with a flat-plane crankshaft, which synchronizes engine firing. Paired with equal-length exhaust headers, it creates a truly enthralling exhaust note. In addition, the exhaust has pypass valves to enhance the sound when desired or shifted to a more exciting driving mode.
All these add up to palpable performance with a 0 to 100 km/h time of 3.4 seconds. It has a top speed of 320 km/h.
The 8-speed dual clutch, Variable Boost Management and built-in driving modes can also be configured to prioritize fuel efficiency when desired.
The Ferrari Roma Spider is now available at Velocita Motors with a starting price in the region of P30-million.