The all-new 2024 Roma Spider, which was introduced at a private event in Marrakesh, is enjoying the "new sweet life" for Ferrari.
The convertible, billed as a "modern take on the elegant, pleasure-seeking Italian lifestyle of the 1950s and 1960s," follows in the footsteps of the coupe but adds some improvements of its own.
The soft top, which can be down in 13.5 seconds at speeds up to 37 mph (60 km/h), is a great place to start. Considering the car's origins, the top features "extensive customisation choices that include elegant, handmade textiles and contrasting stitching." It's also the first front-engined Ferrari spider to employ a cloth top since the 1969 365 GTS4.
The model also includes a "body-color strip running across the base of the roof that isolates the carbon fiber active spoiler from the roof and rear screen, producing a perfectly integrated tonneau cover," according to Ferrari. The dynamic spoiler visibly integrates with the rear bench and head rests when the soft top is down."
The Roma includes a unique wind deflector incorporated into the backrest of the rear seat to keep owners comfortable with the top down. It can be activated at the touch of a button, according to Ferrari, to provide "excellent in-vehicle occupant comfort without taking up any room in the automobile."
While convertibles are all about having fun, Ferrari did not overlook practicalities. According to the firm, the fabric top takes up less trunk room than a retractable hardtop, and there's a hatch in the rear backrest to accommodate longer objects. Of course, because the trunk barely stores 9 cubic feet (255 litres) of luggage, you should temper your expectations.
The remainder of the automobile follows in the footsteps of the coupe, with a minimalist design that avoids extraneous features. This includes the Scuderia Ferrari side shields, which are standard on almost all versions.
LED headlamps, flush-mounted door handles, and a body-color mesh grille are also visible. A sensuous rear end with simple taillights, a diffuser, and a four-tailpipe exhaust system joins them.
Snazzy cabin with a passenger side display
The interior wraps around the occupants and has a digital instrument cluster as well as an 8.4-inch portrait-oriented entertainment system. The latter also has cordless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay to help with navigation.
If that isn't enough screens, the convertible can be outfitted with a slim 8.8-inch passenger display that displays performance and navigation data, as well as climate control and entertainment options. While the screen is simple, it allows passengers to become 'co-drivers.'
The convertible's interior is familiar, but it has a "further honed and tuned" steering wheel. It has recessed touch controls, which should be much simpler to discover than the coupe's flat ones. In addition, the steering wheel-mounted ignition now has red illumination to enhance the experience. Optional neck warmers for the 18-way heated front seats are also available.
A Twin-Turbo V8 with 621 HP
When you press the start button, a twin-turbo 3.9-liter (3,855 cc) V8 with 621 horsepower (456 kW / 620 PS) and 560 lb-ft (760 Nm) of torque is activated. It's mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox, allowing the car to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph (0 to 100 km/h) in 3.4 seconds and reach peak speeds of more than 199 mph (320 km/h).
The Roma engine has a flat-plane crank and Variable Boost Management technology, which "adjusts torque delivery to fit the gear selected." The model also boasts the best weight-to-power ratio in its class, at 5.6 lb/hp (2.5 kg/PS) dry, due in part to an all-aluminum chassis.
The latter is similar to the coupe, but has a rear sill inspired by the Portofino M. It's billed as a "fundamentally significant structural feature" that should keep the car stiff even without a fixed roof.
