Driving a Ferrari is not something that happens every day and for some it remains just a dream. Yet, thanks to the Prancing Horse I was lucky enough to be able to drive a Roma Spider, traveling through some of the most difficult areas. suggestive of Sardinia. A long, full-day test drive on the occasion of the international launch of the new Prancing Horse sports car which was presented in March.
It was it is a truly unique experience, not only for the possibility to be able to try a car with a truly special flavor but also because we have seen how Ferrari continues to represent something unique and magical for people.
- The passion for Ferraris
- Fabric soft tops and twin-turbo V8s
- Technical data sheet
- How it rides on the road
- Price
FERRARI, A PASSION
Ferrari is a true passion that really involves everyoneand we saw it during the test drive day. I'll tell you some episodes that happened that day that demonstrate how these cars are considered something truly unique.
The Prancing Horse staff had set up a meeting point along the route where all the Roma Spiders entrusted to the press could stop for photos and videos. The place chosen was a lookout overlooking the coast, where there was a truly breathtaking view. Well, the presence of around ten Ferraris immediately attracted curiosity. of some people who were going to the beaches.
After all, when you happen to have this kind of information at hand. many Ferraris to admire up close? Within a few minutes the rumor had spread. scattered and more and more arrived. people to see the Maranello sports cars, to take selfies and souvenir photos. Even some traffic police officers who rushed to understand what was happening stopped to have a chat and couldn't resist taking some photos. In short, it was no longer possible there was so much curiosity that started again of the people who continued to arrive to admire the Ferraris.
After all, driving a Maranello sports car makes you feel a little the center of attention. Throughout the entire route, in fact, there was no shortage of applause from people as they passed through urban centers and greetings with honks from other cars and motorbikes. Passing through a town we were “almost stopped” by some kids on the side of the road who then quickly took out their smartphones to take photos.
FABRIC TOP AND 620 HP BITURBO V8
Let's talk a bit of the design, technical characteristics and performance that is able to offer this Prancing Horse sports car. Designed by the Ferrari Style Center under the direction of Flavio Manzoni, Ferrari Roma Spider has reintroduced the canvas topwhich had not been seen for 54 years and that is since the days of the Ferrari 365 GTS4.
The car is equipped with a soft fabric top that is It was designed expressly for the purpose of preserving the proportions of the Ferrari Roma. The canvas soft top can be opened and closed in 13.5 seconds at a speed maximum of 60 km/h. To improve driving comfort with the top open, the Maranello technicians have developed a new patented mobile wind deflector which we find integrated into the backrest of the rear bench and which opens when necessary by pressing a button on the central tunnel.
Compared to the simple canvas used for many convertible cars, in the case of the soft top of the Prancing Horse sports car is a particular fabric with a tailored weave has been adopted which makes the roof even more wanted. Ferrari describes its sports car as a 2+ car. This means that in addition to the two front passengers, it offers two makeshift seats at the rear, with less space than that available on the coupé version.
The implementation of the soft top and its indirect impacts on the geometries of the bodywork, they led Maranello to review the aerodynamics to maintain the high capacity of aerodynamic penetration and the effective downforce of the Ferrari Roma. For example, significants have been carried outvariations to the geometry of the mobile spoiler.
This element follows an automatic movement logic correlated to the speed of the vehicle. and to longitudinal and transverse accelerations, composed of three different positions. The rear hood in fact houses a mobile part capable of assuming three predefined positions (LD or Low drag, MD or Medium downforce, HD or High downforce) thanks to an appropriate kinematic mechanism.
Up to the speed of 100 km/h, when the contribution of the vertical load is of modest size, the winger remains in the LD position. Above 300 km/h the wing always assumes the MD position, because in such conditions it is preferable to have a car as much as possible balanced as possible. In all other conditions, in which the vertical load plays a role of primary importance for performance, the spoiler is by default in the MD position, where it forms an angle of 150 degrees with the rear window and is capable of generating approximately 30% of the maximum vertical load, with an increase in resistance of less than 1%.
In handling conditions, the mobile wing moves to the HD position, generating the maximum vertical load. Specifically, the angle of 135° with the surface of the rear window it allows the generation of approximately 95 kg of vertical load at 250 km/h, with an increase in resistance of just 4%.
Ferrari has also worked on the chassis which derives from that of the Ferrari Romaeven if it contains some new components designed specifically for this model. For example, the brancardo, an element of fundamental importance on a structural level, is was developed specifically for the Ferrari Roma Spider, so such as some elements suitable for installing the soft top and the windshield ring.
Compared to the coupé version, the spider on the scales weighs 84 kg more. The weight-power ratio thus reaches 2.5 kg/hp. Weight gain is due, in addition to the presence of the roof opening system, also to the new wind deflector.
The beating heart of the Ferrari Roma Spider is a biturbo V8 with a displacement of 3.9 liters capable of delivering 620 HP (456 kW) at 7,500 rpmwith 760 Nm of torque. Maranello underlines that the engine is capable of delivering 80% of the torque already available at 1900 rpm. The unit is combined with an 8-speed dual clutch gearbox derived from that of the SF90 Stradale. The dimensions of the clutch unit have been reduced by 20% compared to the 7-speed gearbox.
The performance, obviously, is very high. The speed maximum exceeds 320 km/h, while going from 0 to 100 km takes just 3.4 seconds. 200 km/h, however, can be reached in just 9.7 seconds.
TECHNICAL DATASHEET
POWERTRAIN
- Type V8 – 90° – Biturbo
- Total displacement 3855 cm3
- Bore and stroke 86.5 mm 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 WEIGHTS< /h3>
- Length 4656 mm
- Width 1974 mm
- Height 1306 mm
- Wheelbase 2670 mm
- Track width front 1652 mm
- Rear track 1679 mm
- Dry weight 1556 kg
- Dry weight/power ratio 2.5 kg/hp
< li>Weight distribution 48% front./52% post.
- Capacity 80 liter tank
- Boot volume 255 litres
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 gearbox with 8 speeds
ELECTRONIC CONTROLS
- EPS, VDC , ABS with EBD, F1-TCS, E-Diff3, SSC 6.0, FDE, SCM-E Frs
PERFORMANCE
- Speed maximum > 320 km/h
- 0-100 km/h 3.4 s
- 0-200 km/h 9.7 s
- 100-0 km/h 32.0 m
- 200-0 km/h 130.0 m
< li>Weight distribution 48% front./52% post.
EXCITING TO DRIVE
I can't hide it, the Ferrari Roma Spider wins you over as soon as you see it. The test drive is After starting early in the morning, the program included a journey of 284 kminterspersed with some stops, including one for lunch. The exit from the hotel is It was one you remember for the rest of your life. In fact, I found myself in front of 10 Roma Spiders lined up and ready to go. A truly incredible sight.
Once I got on board, I had to briefly become familiar with the controls, especially those on the steering wheel. The layout of the various levers, buttons and arrows (there are two buttons on the steering wheel) needs to be studied for a moment but it doesn't take much to get used to it and find the right automatic mechanisms. Along the way, the Ferrari staff had left us an iPhone connected to the car's infotainment system so we could use Apple CarPlay. We had some QR Codes to scan to configure the navigator and deal with it. each segment of the route.
At first I kept a steady pace. We are not on private roads, there are limits and there is traffic. After all, with 620 HP it is exceed the speed limits for a moment. In traffic I had time to appreciate the regularity with which the Roma Spider can travel even at low speed. Suffice it to say that the car travels easily at around 70 km/h in eighth gear at 1,000 rpm. At speed code comfort is very good, even with the top open. With Roma Spider you can therefore undertake long journeys.
A consideration on the new wind deflector. I tried to verify its effectiveness by activating it while driving. Once raised, the turbulence inside the passenger compartment decreases drastically, a sign that it is It was designed in a truly optimal way. Once I tried it, I preferred to leave it on all the time precisely because it the comfort inside the passenger compartment benefited positively.
In traffic, therefore, Roma Spider seems to doze but a firm press on the accelerator is enough to make it completely change character. The gearbox quickly downshifts a few gears and in just a few blinks the V8 returns to pushing powerfully, accompanied by a truly engaging exhaust sound.
The route organized by Maranello also led me to tackle some roads full of curves and uphillswhere I allowed myself some stretches, obviously always being very careful. The sensation that Roma Spider offers is that of having no limits. Trying to force it a little in the bends, the Maranello sports car never gets upset and faithfully follows the set trajectory.
Using the sports car in Sport or Race, with the gearbox in manual (behind the steering wheel we find the gear shift paddles), driving becomes even more effective and engaging. It's a shame not to have tried it on the track where I certainly would have had even more fun.
What's really impressive is the the engine that can doze at 1,000 rpm but at the same time is ready to project the car at speed in a few moments prohibitive. Ferrari Roma Spider, moreover, has a double soul. Using the Comfort you can easily face even long journeys. By choosing, instead, the Sport or Race, you can do it have fun.
284 km is a lot but when driving a similar sports car it's damn few. An experience, however, difficult to forget. Curiosity, halfway we also made a “pit stop” along the route. The men from Maranello, in fact, stopped us at a small service station where they filled up all the cars with petrol and then let us set off again.
PRICE
How much does the Ferrari Roma Spider cost in Italy? It starts from 250 thousand euros. Obviously, Ferrari offers multiple possibilities of customization that can dramatically increase the purchase price.
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