Driving a Ferrari it is not an everyday thing and for some it remains just a dream. However, thanks to the Prancing Horse, I was lucky enough to ride one. Roma Spider, traveling through the most memorable places in Sardinia. Long test drive for the whole day on the occasion of the international presentation of the new Prancing Horse sports car, presented in March.
It was a truly unique experience, not only because of the opportunity to experience a car with truly special taste, but also because we saw how Ferrari continues to represent something unique and magical for people.
- Passion for Ferrari
- Soft top and twin-turbocharged V8 engine.
- Data sheet
- How he drives down the road
- Price
Ferrari it’s a true passion that truly touches everyone and we saw this during the test drive. I’ll tell you a few incidents that happened that day that demonstrate that these cars are considered something truly unique.
Prancing Horse staff set up a meeting point along the route where all the Gypsy Spiders entrusted to the press could stop for photos and videos. The chosen location was an observation deck overlooking the coast, which offered a truly breathtaking view. Well, the presence of about ten Ferraris immediately attracted the curiosity of some people heading to the beaches.
After all, when do you have so many Ferraris at your fingertips that you can admire up close? Within minutes, word spread and more and more people came to look at Maranello’s sports cars, take selfies and photographs as souvenirs. Even some traffic police officers, rushing to understand what was happening, stopped to chat and couldn’t resist taking photos. In short, it was no longer possible to leave, such was the curiosity of people who continued to come to admire the Ferrari.
After all, driving a Maranello sports car makes you feel like the center of attention. In fact, throughout the route there was no shortage of cheers from people passing through the city centers and honking horns from other cars and motorcycles. Driving through town, we were “almost stopped” by children on the side of the road, who then quickly took out their smartphones to take photos of us.
Let’s talk a little about the design, technical features and performance that this Prancing Horse sports car is capable of offering. Developed by the Ferrari Style Center under the direction of Flavio ManzoniFerrari Roma Spider has reintroduced the canvas top which has not been seen for 54 years, that is, since the Ferrari 365 GTS4.
The car is equipped with a fabric soft top, which was designed specifically to maintain the proportions of the Ferrari Roma. The soft top opens and closes in 13.5 seconds at a top speed of 60 km/h. To improve the comfort of open-top driving, Maranello has developed new mobile wind deflector a patented system integrated into the rear seat backrest and opened when required by pressing a button on the center tunnel.
Compared to the simple canvas used on many convertibles, the soft top of the Prancing Horse sports car uses a special fabric with a special weave, which makes the roof even more sophisticated. Ferrari describes its sports car like a car 2+. This means that in addition to two front passengers, it offers two makeshift seats in the rear, with less space than in the coupe version.
The introduction of the soft top and its indirect effect on the body geometry prompted Maranello to reconsider the aerodynamics in order to maintain the high aerodynamic penetration and efficient downforce of the Ferrari Roma. For example, there have been significant variations of mobile spoiler geometry.
This element follows an automatic movement logic related to speed as well as longitudinal and lateral acceleration, consisting of three different positions. In fact, in the rear hood there is a movable part that, thanks to a corresponding kinematic mechanism, can assume three preset positions (LD or low resistance, MD or medium downforce, HD or high downforce).
Up to a speed of 100 km/h, when the contribution of the vertical load is negligible, the wing remains in the LD position. At speeds above 300 km/h, the wing always assumes the MD position, since in such conditions it is preferable to have the car as balanced as possible. In all other conditions in which vertical load is of paramount importance to performance, the spoiler defaults to the MD position, where it forms a 150-degree angle with the rear window and is capable of delivering approximately 30% of the maximum vertical load, compared to a drag increase of less than 1%.
In control conditions, the movable wing moves to the HD position, creating maximum vertical load. In particular, the 135° angle with the rear window surface allows for approximately 95 kg of vertical load at a speed of 250 km/h with only a 4% increase in resistance.
Ferrari worked too on a chassis borrowed from the Ferrari Roma. although it contains some new components designed specifically for this model. For example, the threshold, an element of fundamental importance at the design level, was developed specifically for the Ferrari Roma Spider, as were several elements suitable for the installation of the soft top and the windshield ring.
Compared to the coupe version the spider is on the scales weighs 84 kg more. The weight-to-power ratio reaches 2.5 kg/hp. The increase in weight is due, in addition to the presence of a roof opening system, also to a new wind deflector.
The beating heart of the Ferrari Roma Spider is 3.9-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine capable of delivering 620 hp (456 kW) at 7500 rpm with a torque of 760 Nm. Maranello emphasizes that the engine is capable of producing 80% of the available torque from just 1,900 rpm. The unit is mated to an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission derived from the SF90 Stradale. The dimensions of the clutch assembly have been reduced by 20% compared to the 7-speed gearbox.
The performance is obviously very high. There maximum speed exceeds 320 km/h, and acceleration from 0 to 100 km takes only 3.4 seconds. However, speed up to 200 km/h is achieved in just 9.7 seconds.
POWER STATION
- Type V8 – 90° – Biturbo
- Total volume 3855 cm3.
- Bore and stroke 86.5 x 82 mm.
- Maximum power (98 octane petrol) 456 kW (620 hp) at 5750–7500 rpm.
- Maximum torque 760 Nm at 3000-5750 rpm.
- Maximum speed 7500 rpm.
- Compression ratio 9.45:1
- Specific power 161 hp/l
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT
- Length 4656 mm
- Width 1974 mm
- Height 1306 mm
- Wheelbase 2670 mm
- Front track 1652 mm
- Rear track 1679 mm.
- Dry weight 1556 kg.
- Dry weight to power ratio 2.5 kg/hp.
- Front weight distribution 48%. / 52% post.
- Tank capacity 80 liters
- Trunk volume 255 liters
TIRES AND WHEELS
- Front 245/35 ZR 20 J8.0
- Rear 285/35 ZR 20 J10.0
BRAKES
- Front 390 x 34 mm
- Rear 360 x 32 mm
TRANSMISSION AND GEARBOX
- F1 dual clutch transmission with 8 speeds.
ELECTRONIC CONTROL
- EPS, VDC, ABS with EBD, F1-TCS, E-Diff3, SSC 6.0, FDE, SCM-E Frs
PERFORMANCE
- Maximum speed > 320 km/h
- 0-100km/h 3.4s
- 0-200km/h 9.7s
- 100-0 km/h 32.0 m
- 200-0 km/h 130.0 m
I can’t deny that the Ferrari Roma Spider will captivate you as soon as you see it. The test drive began early in the morning, after all, as the program suggested. journey 284 km alternates with several stops, including lunch. Leaving the hotel I will remember for the rest of my life. In fact, I found myself in front of 10 gypsy spiders lined up and ready for action. A truly incredible sight.
Once I got on board, I had to quickly become familiar with the controls, especially those on the steering wheel. The placement of the various levers, buttons and arrows (there are two buttons on the steering wheel) takes some learning, but it doesn’t take long to get used to and find the right automatic mechanisms. Along the way, Ferrari employees left us an iPhone connected to the car’s infotainment system so we could use Apple CarPlay. We had to scan several QR codes to set up the navigator and navigate each step of the journey.
At first I kept a steady pace. We are not on private roads, there are restrictions and there are traffic jams. In the end, with 620 hp. Exceeding the speed limit is not difficult at all. In traffic jams, I was able to appreciate the regularity with which the Roma Spider can move even at low speeds. Suffice it to say thatthe car easily travels at a speed of about 70 km/h in eighth gear at 1000 rpm.. At code speed, comfort is very good, even with the roof open. Thus, with the Roma Spider you can take long trips.
Discussion about the new wind deflector. I tried to test its effectiveness by activating it while driving. As soon as you get up, turbulence inside the cabin is sharply reduced, a sign that it was truly designed in an optimal way. Once I tried it, I preferred to always leave it on because the comfort in the cabin just improved.
Thus, in a traffic jam, the Roma Spider seems to be dozing, but it only takes a strong press on the gas pedal to make it completely change character. The gearbox quickly downshifts a few gears and within just a few moments the V8 is back with a powerful punch, accompanied by a truly exciting exhaust note.
The route organized by Maranello also led me to the decision some roads are full of turns and climbs where I allowed myself some stretch, obviously always being very careful. The feeling that the Roma Spider offers is one of freedom from limitations. Trying to force turns a little, the Maranello sports car never gets upset and faithfully follows the given trajectory.
Using the sports car in Sport or Race mode, with the transmission in manual mode (behind the steering wheel paddle shifters), driving becomes even more efficient and fun. It’s a shame I didn’t try it out on the track, where I’d probably have had even more fun.
What’s truly impressive is the engine, which can be dormant at 1000 rpm, but at the same time is ready to accelerate the car to incredible speeds in just a few moments. After all, Ferrari Roma Spider, he has a double soul. Using the Comfort mode, you can easily go even on long trips. By choosing Sport or Race mode instead, you can have fun.
284 km is a lot, but when driving a similar sports car, it’s damn short. However, an experience that is difficult to forget. It’s interesting that halfway through we also made a pit stop. The men from Maranello actually stopped us at a small gas station, filled all the cars with gasoline and allowed us to hit the road again.
How much does a Ferrari Roma Spider cost in Italy? Starts from 250 thousand euros.. Obviously, Ferrari offers a variety of customization options that can significantly increase the purchase price.
Source: HD Motori
Ashley Fitzgerald is an accomplished journalist in the field of technology. She currently works as a writer at 24 news breaker. With a deep understanding of the latest technology developments, Ashley’s writing provides readers with insightful analysis and unique perspectives on the industry.