Ferrari Roma Spider Combines Soft Top Fun With A 612 HP Twin-Turbo V8

Ferrari Roma Spider Combines Soft Top Fun With A 612 HP Twin-Turbo V8

The last time Ferrari had a fabric-top convertible in its range was back in 1969 with the 365 GTS4

by Michael Gauthier

11 hours ago

 Ferrari Roma Spider Combines Soft Top Fun With A 612 HP Twin-Turbo V8

by Michael Gauthier

Ferrari is living the “new sweet life” with the all-new 2024 Roma Spider, which has been unveiled at an exclusive event in Marrakesh.

Billed as a “contemporary take on the chic, pleasure-seeking Italian lifestyle of the 1950’s and 60’s,” the convertible follows in the footsteps of the coupe but adopts some innovations of its own.

There’s no better place to start than the soft top, which can be lowered in 13.5 seconds at speeds up to 37 mph (60 km/h).  Given the car comes from the Prancing Horse, the top offers “extensive personalization options that include sophisticated, bespoke fabrics and contrasting stitching.” Interestingly, it’s the first front-engined Ferrari spider to use a fabric top since the 365 GTS4 from 1969.

More: Ferrari Fully Details The New 612 HP Roma Grand Tourer

Ferrari goes on to say the model has a “body-color band running across the base of the roof that divides the carbon fiber active spoiler from the roof and rear screen, creating a seamlessly integrated tonneau cover. When the soft top is lowered, the active spoiler visually connects with the rear bench and head rests.”

To keep owners comfortable with the roof down, the Roma comes equipped with a new wind deflector that is integrated into the backrest of the rear seat.  Ferrari says it can be deployed at the touch of a button to ensure “exceptional in-car occupant comfort without taking up any space in the car.”

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While convertibles are all about fun, Ferrari didn’t forget about practicality. As the company explained, the fabric top takes up less trunk space than a retractable hardtop and there’s a hatch in the rear backrest to allow for hauling longer items. Of course, you should keep your expectations in check as the trunk only holds 9 cubic feet (255 liters) of luggage.

 Ferrari Roma Spider Combines Soft Top Fun With A 612 HP Twin-Turbo V8

The rest of the car echoes the coupe and this means there’s a reductive design that eschews superfluous details.  This even includes the Scuderia Ferrari side shields, which are a mainstay on most models.

Elsewhere, we can see LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and a body-color mesh grille.  They’re joined by a voluptuous rear end with minimalist taillights, a diffuser, and a four-tailpipe exhaust system.

A Classy Cabin With A Passenger Side Display

 Ferrari Roma Spider Combines Soft Top Fun With A 612 HP Twin-Turbo V8

The cabin wraps around occupants and features a digital instrument cluster as well as an 8.4-inch infotainment system with a portrait orientation. The latter also boats wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay to make navigating a bit easier.

If that wasn’t enough screens, the convertible can be equipped with a slender 8.8-inch passenger display that shows performance and navigation information as well as climate control and entertainment settings.  While the screen is somewhat basic, it enables passengers to become ‘co-drivers.’

While the interior is familiar, the convertible has a “further honed and refined” steering wheel. It features recessed touch controls, which should be far easier to find than the flat ones used on the coupe. Furthermore, the steering wheel-mounted ignition now features red backlighting to heighten the experience. Buyers can also get optional neck warmers for the 18-way heated front seats.

A Twin-Turbo V8 with 621 HP

 Ferrari Roma Spider Combines Soft Top Fun With A 612 HP Twin-Turbo V8

Hitting the start button awakens a twin-turbo 3.9-liter (3,855 cc) V8 that develops 621 hp (456 kW / 620 PS) and 560 lb-ft (760 Nm) of torque.  It’s connected to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, which enables the car to accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 3.4 seconds and hit a top speed in excess of 199 mph (320 km/h).

The engine features a flat-plane crank and the Roma sports Variable Boost Management technology, which “adjusts torque delivery to suit the gear selected.”  The model also has a best-in-class weight to power ratio of 5.6 lb/hp (2.5 kg/PS) dry, thanks in part to an all-aluminum chassis.

The latter echoes the coupe, but adopts a rear sill inspired by the one used on the Portofino M.  It’s bill as a “fundamentally important structural element” and should ensure the car remains rigid despite the loss of a fixed roof.

Modified Audi TTRS Generational Battle Shows Fun Can Come Sort-Of Cheap

Modified Audi TTRS Generational Battle Shows Fun Can Come Sort-Of Cheap
Despite the fact that the Audi TT is not a vehicle you will usually see fanatics discuss about, it is a single that left a mark on the industry as a whole. This could possibly seem absolutely bogus, but the to start with generation of this auto had a revolutionary design and style, components of which can continue to be found on modern-day motor vehicles.

The TT was the auto that manufactured bumpers an integral section of the general design rather than just a practical little bit of bodywork, and the automobile market still utilizes this structure to this day. It also managed to flip the wheel arches from a thing that is just required for the car or truck to get the job done into a bold stylistic statement.

Granted, the cars that will duke it out right now come from the second and 3rd generations, with the former noticed as in all probability the worst style and design out of the three, as it is far too subdued. But that just suggests that, if you are keen to forget about some stylistic cues, you can grab a person for a good value, albeit almost certainly not the RS variation.

What the comprehensive overall performance badge can do is exactly what this online video showcases, even incorporating a little bit of spice. The 2016 mark III TTRS and its gnarly 2.5-liter 5-cylinder motor come with a stage just one European tune by REVO, pushing its output to 455 hp (461 ps) and 416 lb-ft (564 Nm) of torque. This energy goes to all 4 wheels by way of a seven-pace double-clutch gearbox.

I can properly say this is a great, reputable alternative, as I happen to operate a phase just one tune by REVO myself without the need of issues. Albeit that is on the fairly pedestrian foundation model mark II, which is the specified day-to-day driver.

The 3rd-gen RS sits on Goodyear Eagle F1 street tires, which I also take place to have outfitted. When not the greatest equipment revenue can invest in and definitely not what you would want on a monitor day, these tires nevertheless offer a superior driving encounter. They permit the driver to truly feel in control, even when pushed challenging, and the grip falls off step by step as a substitute of just giving way earlier a selected level.

Audi TTRS Generational Drag Race

Image: YouTube / Officially Gassed

Its mark II TTRS opponent, on the other hand, did have a bit far more work performed. It features a Forge entrance-mounted intercooler and strengthen pipes, an H-Effectiveness intake pipe, a K&N panel filter, a superior-pressure gas pump, and catless downpipes. It also rewards from a stage two Ecu and TCU tune by MRC, for a whole output of 435 HP (441 PS) and 501 lb-ft of torque (680 Nm), once more likely to all wheels by means of a double-clutch, albeit a 6-velocity.

The excess weight distinction involving the two is not substantial, with the mark III currently being 77 lbs (35 kg) lighter. What this means is that things will very likely go down to torque and which gearbox can better make use of it when launching.

Unsurprisingly, it is the more recent generation that takes the cake in just about every category. With that staying explained, it did not depart its older brother in the dust, with the final results getting to some degree near. Whilst the mark III completed the drag race in 11.07 seconds, the mark II was .22 seconds slower in the quarter mile. Likewise, the 2nd-gen hits 60 mph (97 kph) in 3.16 seconds, just two and a 50 {49e09b23eae7466ccc7574c19ebb3019301c9a11d2999feff81a3526451546a5} tenths slower than its opponent.

What I am seeking to say below is that, in spite of getting rid of, the 2nd-gen TTRS is nevertheless a fantastic way to have a large amount of enjoyment for not a good deal of money.