Ferrari Roma Goes Topless
Revealed at a customer event in Marrakesh, Ferrari took the stand to introduce its latest addition to the Roma nameplate, the Spider.
The Roma Spider joins the GT variant that we had the pleasure to spend time at the helm of a few months ago. Unlike the GT, the Spider swaps the hardtop for a soft-top design for the first time on a front-engined car since the 365 GTS4 model was introduced in 1969.
The retractable soft top can be deployed in 13.5 seconds at up to 60 km/h and can be had in various tailored fabrics and contrasting stitching.
Ferrari has made some changes to the design of the rear window in the new Roma Spider. This was possible thanks to a rear deck divided into two sections to create space for stowing the roof. Additionally, the new design includes an active carbon-fibre spoiler and a wind deflector that can be deployed and integrated into the backrest of the rear bench.
Despite the additional weight of 84 kg, everything else is carried over from the GT, including the full LED headlights, horizontal daytime running lights, a rear diffuser that houses four exhaust outlets plus 245/35 ZR 20 tyres up front and bigger 285/35 ZR 20 at the back.
It's powered by the same 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 engine that puts out 456 kW and 760 Nm sent to the rear axle while shuffling through an 8-speed DCT gearbox.
Despite its weight gain, Ferrari quotes a 3.4-second sprint to 100 km/h, similar to the GT's time. It is, though, slower to get to 200 km/h at a claimed time of 9.7 seconds. The GT completes the same task in 9.3 seconds. Both models reach their top speed of 320 km/h.
Though looks are subjective, the Roma GT turned out to be a good tourer with a sporting edge, and the Spider promises to deliver more appeal in open-top style.