The Roma Spider is a huge addition to the Italian automaker’s lineup. The first front-engined Fezza with a soft top after the Daytona 365 GTS/4 from 1971 through 1973, the Roma Spider also serves as the replacement for the poor-selling Portofino M.
Some things, however, don’t change. Similar to its forerunner, the soft-topped successor uses an eight-speed transaxle and a twin-turbo V8 with 3.9 liters to its name. Said engine is part of the F154 family, which premiered in 2014 in the California T with 560 ps (552 hp) and 755 Nm (557 lb-ft) on deck.
Tipping the scales at 1,556 kilograms (3,430 pounds; dry) compared to 1,545 kilograms (3,406 pounds; dry) for the Portofino M, the slightly heavier Roma Spider makes the very same power and torque as the hard-topped convertible grand tourer before it. Be that as it may, it’s faster and quicker still. Ferrari claims 3.4 seconds to 100 clicks and 320-odd kilometers per hour (199 miles per hour).
Such numbers were once supercar territory, but then again, Ferrari makes plenty of small improvements with every refresh and clean-sheet design. Touted as having the best weight-to-power ratio in the segment (looking at you, Aston Martin DB12!), the Roma Spider was recently tested by the folks at Motorsport Magazine. During said testing, the French outlet took an acceleration test in race mode and with launch control also on for good measure.
Words fail to describe how relentless the acceleration is, with the Roma Spider hitting a little over 250 kilometers per hour (over 155 miles per hour) on the clock without breaking a sweat. The French publication hasn’t published the numbers you might be interested in, but fret not because we do know from Ferrari that the Roma Spider needs a meager 9.7 seconds to reach 200 kph (124 mph).
Photo: Motorsport Magazine on YouTube
The most comfortable Fezza in production today, the Roma Spider is described as 2+ by the Prancing Horse of Maranello rather than a 2+2 gran turismo. Why did the Italian automaker do that? Rather surprisingly, Ferrari understands that the rear seats are a bit of a joke. Even a child would find it hard to sit comfortably in there, which is why the rear seats are better used for storing small bags and the sort.
Out back, trunk capacity is listed as 255 liters with the top in place, which converts to precisely 9 cubic feet. By comparison, the Euro-spec Mazda MX-5 offers no more than 130 liters (4.6 cubic feet). Even though it’s the entry-level convertible in Ferrari’s lineup, the Roma Spider is adequately expensive.
You’ll need to spend in excess of $270,000 for the base spec, meaning that you will go past $300,000 with only a handful of extras added to the car. The next step up from the Roma series is the 296, which sports a twin-turbo sixer with plug-in hybrid assistance. Then there’s the 812 series and hugely impressive SF90. The V12 flagship GT is due to receive a ground-up redesign in early 2024, and Ferrari has also begun development work on the successor of the SF90.
At the same time, a LaFerrari-replacing hypercar is on the horizon as well. The F8 Tributo was discontinued earlier this year, and Ferrari didn’t give a single clue in regard to the midship V8 supercar’s scion. Given the existence of the plug-in hybrid 296, and due to ever-tightening fuel economy and carbon emission regulations in the US and European continent, chances are the internal combustion-only midship V8 supercar is dead for good at Ferrari.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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