Ferrari has launched a convertible version of the Roma. The replacement for the Portofino M, the Roma Spider was the brand’s first front-engined drop-top model since the 365 GTS/4 in 1969.
It follows the general proportions, volume and specification of its coupe sibling, but the omission of the roof means some elements have been tweaked, including the windscreen, A-pillars and, of course, the rear. A revamp of the coupe’s tapered fastback roofline meant revising the rear windshield, integrating it into the soft top so that it folds under the decklid when opened.
Unlike the hardtop used on the Portofino, the unit on the Roma Spider is made from a new special fabric, woven from a bespoke two-tone material drawn from a palette of four colours. Customers can also choose fabrics with contrasting elements in iridescent red.
The automaker says the soft top offers acoustic comfort comparable to a retractable hard top and can be opened in just 13.5 seconds at speeds of up to 60 km/h. Its compactness also yields more room to boot.
Attention was also paid to minimizing turbulence and wind noise in the cabin, with a 5mm nod on the new windscreen headliner and a new, patented wind deflector – which is integrated into the rear bench On the backrest, accessible via a button on the center tunnel – this is one of the solutions to creating an aerodynamic “bubble” above the cockpit when the car is in motion.
Thanks to the redesigned rear end, the geometry of the coupe’s electric rear spoiler has been changed for the convertible, but follows the same working principle. Automatically deployed by electric motors linked to speed, longitudinal and lateral acceleration (and linked to the manettino position), the unit offers three service positions – low drag, medium downforce and high downforce.
Like the coupe, it maintains its position at low speeds until 100km/h, at which point it enters MD mode, delivering around 30% of maximum downforce with less than a 1% increase in drag. In its HD setting, the spoiler is positioned at a 135-degree angle, generating 95kg of downforce at 250km/h.
The interior presentation is equally familiar, with the Roma’s dual-cockpit configuration featuring separate cells for the driver and passenger in a wraparound layout, the same as the convertible car. Likewise, a 16-inch digital instrument cluster and a vertical 8.4-inch center display are set between the two cockpit areas. As standard, the infotainment system features Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity.
The Stradale-style steering wheel is the same as the one in the coupe, but there have been a few small changes to the HMI – the touch controls on the Spider steering wheel now have indents that provide tactile zone recognition on the left-hand spokes and improved swipes on the right-hand side.
While the coupe’s F154 3.9-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine continues to provide power, the BE version of the mill continues to deliver 620 PS from 5,750 to 7,500 rpm and 760 Nm of torque between 3,000 and 5,750 rpm. Drive is sent to the rear wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission derived from the SF90 Stradale.
Despite being 85kg heavier, at 1,556kg, the Spider still manages the 0=100km/h sprint in the same 3.4 seconds as the coupe, just 9.7 seconds (9.3 seconds for the coupe), It also has the same top speed of over 320 km/h.