Ferrari Roma Spider Debuts As A Twin-Turbo V8 Soft Top

ferrari roma spider 2.jpg

The Prancing Horse just unveiled its latest offering, the Ferrari Roma Spider. Like its coupe sibling, the Spider takes 60s styling and brings it forth to the modern era. In keeping with this theme, the Roma Spider doesn’t feature a folding metal roof like the Portofino M, with whom it shares a platform and engine. Instead, the Spider employs a folding fabric top, like the 60s Ferraris that inspired it.

The soft top folds in 13.5 seconds at up to 37 mph (60 kph) and adds 185 lb (84 kg) to the Spider’s 3,430-lb (1,556 kg) dry weight. Its development presented unique challenges for Ferrari’s designers as they attempted to retain the Roma’s stunning fastback roofline. Thus they integrated the rear window into the top itself. A new body-colored deck sits just in front of the Roma’s carbon-fiber active spoiler and helps separate the roof mechanism and the car’s active aero elements.

The roof employs a two-tone weave that Ferrari developed explicitly for the Roma Spider. It combines four available color options to accent or contrast the car’s body color. An optional technical fabric with a red finish is available for even greater contrast.

A button on its center console deploys the Spider’s new wind deflector, which integrates into the second row’s backrest. For further in-cabin comfort, the soft top Roma is available with neck warmers, 18-way adjustable heated seats, and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration.

Although the Roma Spider is mechanically identical to the coupe, there are some structural differences. These mainly live in its sills, which had to be modified to retain the car’s rigidity alongside adding the structural components needed for the soft top and its folding mechanism. Ferrari also sites changes to its A-pillar and windshield surround.

The Spider hides a twin-turbocharged 3.9-liter V8 under its long hood, which develops 612 horsepower and 561 pound-feet of torque. It sends all that power to the rear wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. Despite the added weight of the folding roof, the Spider can still sprint to 62 mph (100 kph) in 3.4 seconds, matching its coupe sibling. It’ll also hit 124 mph (200 kph) in 9.7 seconds, only 0.4 seconds slower than its fixed-roof counterpart. Flat out, the Spider tops out at 199 mph.

Ferrari has not announced official pricing info or availability for the U.S. market.

Exit mobile version