Ferrari blows the roof off its Roma 2+2 with stunning Spider soft-top

Two years after the arrival of its stunningly beautiful twin-turbo V8-powered Roma coupe, Ferrari has revealed a dramatic convertible Spider version.

Launched in Marrakesh, Morocco the Roma Spider is the famous Italian marque’s first front-engined convertible model since the 365 GTS/4 ‘Daytona’ Spyder of 1969.

Powered by the same 3.9-litre, twin-turbo V8 as the coupe version, the Spider tips the scales just 84kg heavier than its hardtop sibling (1556kg vs 1472kg - dry weight), with no less than 456kW (611hp) and 760Nm sent to the rear wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and electronically controlled limited-slip differential.

Claimed acceleration from 0-100km/h in 3.4 seconds, and when the throttle isn’t pinned to the firewall (cruise along the Monaco harbour, anyone?) the engine is impressively flexible with 80 per cent of maximum torque available at 1900rpm.

Designed by the Ferrari Styling Centre, the Roma Spider features a multi-layer ‘Z-fold’ fabric soft-top able to be raised or lowered (sitting under a solid alloy tonneau cover) in 13.5 seconds at speeds up to 60km/h.

The Spider retains the Coupe’s ‘2+2’ seating with a pair of tightly sculpted places behind the driver and front passenger.

Ferrari says, subtle aero-focused tweaks, including a 5.0mm nolder (a narrow protrusion on the windscreen header rail) and specific spoiler geometry have given the Roma Spider the same high-speed downforce specs as the hardtop Coupe.  

A deployable wind stop minimises in-cabin turbulence, thanks largely to a duct at its centre designed to maximise the ‘bubble’ effect, managing air flow over the open cockpit.

A three-position spoiler is hidden in the trailing edge of the bootlid, and you’ll be pleased to know it only hits its maximum ‘High-Downforce’ (135-degree) angle at speeds over 300km/h. Now, that’s wind in your hair!

The Roma Spider will arrive in Australia late in 2023, or early 2024.

The Roma Spider’s chassis is a development of the Coupe’s underpinnings, with a rear sill section developed specifically for the soft-top.

According to Ferrari Australasia the Roma Spider will arrive in Australia late in 2023, or early 2024.

Pricing is yet to be confirmed but using the roughly 15 per cent premium Ferrari has historically applied to soft-top versions of its Berlinetta models, expect a before on-road costs price of approximately $470,000 (roughly $60K more than the Roma Coupe’s $409,888 price tag).