Roma Spider Unveiled!
Marrakesh 16 March 2023
LA NUOVA DOLCE VITA – A NEW STORY BEGINS
·
Unveiled today: the
Ferrari Roma Spider, a 2+ spider equipped with an innovative soft top
·
Featuring special
bespoke fabric in numerous tailored options, the soft top boasts acoustic
comfort on a par with retractable hard tops and can be opened in just 13.5
seconds at speeds up to 60 km/h
·
Top-down driving
comfort is ensured by a patented wind deflector that is integrated into the
rear seat backrest
·
With its 620cv,
twin-turbo V8 and vehicles dynamics systems from the Ferrari Roma, the new Ferrari
Roma Spider offers an unmatched combination of timeless elegance, driving
thrills, performance and on-board comfort
Marrakesh (Morocco), 16th March 2023 – The Ferrari Roma Spider, the latest model
from the Maranello marque, was presented to clients today at an exclusive event
at the El Badi Palace in Marrakesh. This timelessly elegant, high-performance
car is a contemporary take on the chic, pleasure-seeking Italian lifestyle of
the 1950s and 60s. This spider carries over the proportions, volumes and
specifications of the Ferrari Roma’s hugely successful V8 2+ concept, but what
makes it so striking is the adoption of a soft top, a solution making a welcome
return to the Prancing Horse range on a front-engined car 54 years after the
1969 365 GTS4.
There’s a novel and modern take on the soft-top design
that underlines the Ferrari Roma Spider’s exuberant character, with extensive
personalisation options that include sophisticated, bespoke fabrics and
contrasting stitching. On a functional level, the soft top deploys in just 13.5
seconds and can be actioned at up to 60 km/h. The fact that it is so compact
also yields a larger boot and boosts the car’s versatility. A new, patented
wind deflector integrated into the backrest of the rear bench can be deployed by
a button on the central tunnel, guaranteeing exceptional in-car occupant
comfort without taking up any space in the car.
The Ferrari Roma Spider retains the Ferrari
Roma’s excellent dynamic characteristics: it boasts a best-in-class
weight/power ratio thanks not only to its soft top, but also to its
all-aluminium chassis and 620 cv V8 from the engine family that was heralded as
the International Engine of the Year on four consecutive occasions. The engine
is coupled with Ferrari’s universally-acclaimed 8-speed DCT known for its
incredibly fast shift times as well as excellent standards of comfort and
mechanical efficiency.
The Ferrari Roma Spider is not just rewardingly
easy to drive, it is also extremely dynamic and responsive: this makes it the
perfect companion on out-of-town weekends and longer journeys alike. Always, of
course, with the exhilarating Ferrari V8 soundtrack playing the background. A
number of features are designed to make this car superbly versatile, including
a category-topping boot size which includes a hatch via the rear seat backrests
to allow larger items to be carried, and standard wireless connectivity by
Android Auto® and Apple CarPlay® Wi-Fi. Not forgetting, of course,
18-way-adjustable heated ergonomic seats that are also available with an
optional neck warmer for colder days.
STYLE
Designed by the Ferrari
Styling Centre headed by Flavio Manzoni, the Ferrari Roma Spider aims to move
the “La Nuova Dolce Vita” concept beyond city limits for elegant, carefree
driving ‘en plein air’. This 2+ spider boasts a sophisticated fabric soft top,
which is designed not just to maintain, but to enhance the flawless proportions
of the coupé on which it is based without modifying that car’s elegantly
flowing silhouette.
Redesigning the coupé’s tapering,
fastback roofline meant modifying the rear screen to incorporate it into the
soft top so that it can fold below the tonneau cover when open. On the Ferrari
Roma Spider, the original styling theme has become a body-colour band running
across the base of the roof that divides the carbon-fibre 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.
Unlike the more usual basic
fabrics seen on most convertibles, a new material has been used for the Ferrari
Roma Spider’s soft-top, giving it a sophisticated air. Special fabric weaves
were selected and developed in colour combinations that highlight the car’s
twin souls, one more elegant and the other sportier. The bespoke finish with
two-tone weave draws on a palette of four colours highlighting the refined, haute
couture nature of the fabric. The optional technical fabric developed
specifically for this car gives it a sporty yet very sophisticated allure with
an innovative weave creating an extremely striking iridescent red finish that
further enhances the roof’s 3D surface.
EXTERIOR
The stylistic approach taken for the Ferrari
Roma Spider’s exterior centres around a clean design and absolute symbiosis
between its various elements. Its harmonious proportions and pure, elegant
volumes are very much in line with Ferrari’s front-engined GT tradition. That
said, the designers have created a modern take on those classic proportions,
giving the car a sophisticated, contemporary stylishness.
The long front bonnet underscores the spare
silhouette of the flanks, lending a sense of sleekness to the entire body and a
dynamic look. The sober, spare front of the car looks as if it were sculpted
from single block of metal, creating an overhanging, sharknose effect.
The bonnet and sinuous wings flow into one
another yet also effortlessly harmonise with Ferrari’s traditional styling
cues. The designers sought to preserve the minimalist elegance of the car’s
forms by removing any vents or superfluous decorative features. In fact, the
launch configuration does not even include the Scuderia Ferrari side shields,
reflecting the approach taken with the road cars of the 1950s.
Engine cooling is guaranteed by the perforated
surfaces, only where strictly necessary, creating a new interpretation of the
grille concept: this distinctive solution is finished in the same colour as the
bodywork, rendering it seamless with the styling. The edges of the front grille
flow into two linear, full-LED headlights which lend the front of the car a
distinctive character all of its own. They are traversed by a horizontal DRL
strip that hints at the structure beneath the car’s skin, an element that
brings a sense of tension to the entire circumference of the car.
The fastback cabin volume is compact and set
back, ending in a subtle nolder beneath which the designers have created a
modern take on the signature Ferrari tail. The Ferrari Roma Spider’s long rear
overhang, which is a characteristic of the Ferraris of the 1950s and 60s, has
been re-proportioned here, resulting in a low, compact volume which hugs the
rear axle. The wraparound tail of the car is characterised by the purity and
modernity of the transom styling. Technological advances made it possible to
reduce the dimensions of the tail light assembly, resulting in a minimalist and
iconic design. The rear is completed by a compact aerodynamic diffuser that
incorporates the fence and exhaust tailpipes.
CABIN
For the Ferrari Ferrari Roma Spider’s cabin, the
Ferrari Styling Centre designers took the same approach to volumes and forms
introduced on the Ferrari Roma. Two
separate spaces, one each for driver and passenger, were created in an
evolution of the dual cockpit concept, which has its roots deep in the marque’s
history with cars from the 1970s. The innovative look of this dual cockpit was
achieved by extending the philosophy applied to the dash to the entire cabin. Hence
the vision of two modules that wrap around driver and passenger and that extend
and integrate with the two rear seats.
The Ferrari Roma Spider’s cabin has an almost
symmetrical layout which produces a more organic distribution of both spaces
and functional elements. The result is that the passenger will feel very
involved in the driving experience – almost like a co-driver, in fact. The
forms have been crafted to create a sculptural volume in which there is a sense
of textural continuity between all the various cabin elements.
Created by paring back the volumes and
underscored by piping along their edges, the two cockpits are cocooned in a
wraparound volume and extend from the dashboard all the way back to the rear
seats, organically incorporating the dash, doors, rear bench and tunnel. Thus,
the cabin is not designed as a collection of separate sub-assemblies, but
defined by elements that develop organically.
The technology adopted is derived from the
Ferrari Roma: the digital instrument cluster is integrated with the volumes
around it and protected by an anti-glare binnacle which extends out naturally
from the dash. The passenger has an optional display that allows them to share
the driving information. An 8.4” central display set between the two cockpits
and partly floating between the dashboard and tunnel incorporates the other
infotainment and climate control functions.
The F1 gearbox controls have been set into a
modern metal plate which references the iconic gear lever gate. In the Ferrari Ferrari
Roma Spider, this is in the centre of the tunnel and inclined to make it easier
for the driver to reach and see.
The steering wheel’s HMI is a further honed and
refined version of that seen on the Ferrari Roma with touch controls on its
spokes. The left-hand spoke has indents corresponding to the touch controls to
ensure the driver can feel which one to use. The track pad on the right-hand
spoke has been improved – there is now an indent that makes it easier to swipe.
These solutions help the driver know where the controls are, in line with the
“Eyes on the road, hands on the wheel” philosophy Ferrari has been adopting for
quite some time. The Engine Start button is now also backlit in red to
underscore the thrill of the moment the iconic Ferrari twin-turbo springs to
life.
POWERTRAIN
The Ferrari Roma Spider is powered by an engine belonging
to the V8 turbo family named “International Engine of the Year” for four
consecutive years and also voted “Best Engine of the Last 20 Years” in 2018.
The 3,855 cc power unit can punch out 620 cv at 7,500 rpm, the equivalent of
161 cv/l, which it combines with the flexibility of low-end pick-up, thanks to
80% of the torque being available at just 1900 rpm.
The Ferrari Roma Spider also sees the
introduction of an important evolution of the oil pump which reduces
time-to-pressure in cold starts by 70%, as well as increasing the flow rate at
medium revs. The same modification has also been introduced on the Ferrari
Roma, demonstrating the company’s commitment to continual research and
development.
Like all Ferraris in the range, the Ferrari Roma
Spider delivers instantaneous throttle response. This is the direct result of
the adoption of specific solutions, such as a flat-plane crankshaft, which is
more compact in size with lower rotating masses to improve fluid-dynamics;
compact turbines which have a lower moment of inertia; twin-scroll technology
that directs the exhaust gases from each cylinder through separate scrolls and
increases the pressure of the exhaust pulses for maximum power; and a
single-piece, cast exhaust manifold with equal length pipes to optimise
pressure waves in the turbine and reduce losses.
The Ferrari Roma Spider boasts Variable Boost
Management, a control software developed by Ferrari that adjusts torque
delivery to suit the gear selected, delivering increasingly powerful pick-up as
revs rise, whilst optimising fuel consumption. As the car goes up through the
gears, the amount of torque delivered by the engine increases, continuing all
the way up to 760 Nm in 7th and 8th gear. This allowed the use of longer gear
ratios in the higher gears, which helps keep fuel consumption and emissions
down, while adopting a steeper torque curve through the rev range in the lower
gears for a feeling of smooth, consistent pick-up.
The gearbox is based on a dual-clutch oil bath
architecture and is derived from the 8-speed gearbox first introduced on the
SF90 Stradale. The main modifications made with respect to the latter are
longer gear ratios and the introduction of a reverse gear. The new layout and
component integration thus optimised the gearbox’s size and its installation in
the car.
With eight gears and optimum transmission efficiency,
fuel consumption in urban and motorway contexts has been reduced without
compromising on performance. In fact, there is a noticeable improvement even in
sporty driving. The main technical features that have guaranteed this result
are the use of low-viscosity oil and a dry sump configuration to minimise
fluid-dynamic efficiency losses (oil splashing) in addition to the use of a
specially-designed differential (with the input pinion axis not offset to
reduce slip speed.
The clutch module is 20% smaller than the
previous 7-speed, but delivers 35% more torque, with up to a maximum 1,200 Nm
of dynamic torque transmitted when gear shifting. The transmission software
strategy has been evolved thanks to a more powerful ECU and better integration
with the engine management software. Particular attention was also lavished on
the strategies designed to reduce fuel consumption and emissions, particularly
when the Start&Stop function is in use.
Every single Ferrari engine has its own
particular soundtrack that makes it unique and, of course, the Ferrari Roma
Spider is no exception to that rule. In addition to the flat-plane crankshaft,
which synchronises engine firing, and equal-length exhaust headers, which
equalise the sound, the spider adopted the Ferrari Roma’s entire exhaust line that
eliminated the two rear silencers in favour of new geometry for the by-pass
valves. The continuous and progressive by-pass valve control underscores the
engine sound and performance depending on the driving situation.
AERODYNAMICS
The adoption of a fabric soft top and its
indirect impact on the car’s bodywork geometries provided the starting point
for the aero development. To retain the Ferrari Roma’s low drag, combined with
the possibility of generating efficient downforce, the line of the roof and its
curvature over the frontal section were subjected to in-depth numerical
analysis and guided by the work of the Aerodynamic Department to ensure the
project target was reached.
The modifications to the Ferrari Roma Spider’s bodywork
also required new mobile spoiler geometry. In fact, the design of the latter
has been meticulously honed to reflect the car’s styling and new roof line.
Similar to the Ferrari Roma, this element is designed to extend and retract in
a calibrated way specific to the spider as a function of the car’s speed, and
the longitudinal and transverse acceleration acting on the body. This
guarantees three different spoiler positions, specifically calibrated for
top-down driving.
The result is that the Ferrari Roma Spider has
downforce in handling situations and at high speeds comparable with the Ferrari
Roma, ensuring the car is always aerodynamically balanced and able to deliver
the same driving exhilaration. Huge attention was lavished on aerodynamic
comfort on board with the top down, with particular focus on minimising both
turbulence and wind noise in the cabin.
The solutions selected were driven by the need
to simplify the transition from top-up to top-down driving, by introducing
automatic movements for the surfaces tasked with creating an aerodynamic
‘bubble’ effect over the cockpit for comfort. The first was the addition of a
5mm nolder on the new windscreen header rail in the area of the flow
separation. The second was the development of an automatic patented wind
deflector that can be deployed by the driver without any need to stop the car.
If the client wants to deploy the wind deflector, they simply press a button on
the tunnel and the backrest of the rear seats (in the absence of rear
passengers) will rotate into position behind the front occupants’ heads.
In this configuration, the air flow that would
normally be drawn into the cabin from the rear of the car is deflected,
creating an area of relatively still air around the occupants and reducing
still further the turbulence around the heads of taller drivers by around 30%
compared to previous 2+ spider applications. The deployable wind stop’s
permeability was optimised by a transverse aperture at its centre which, thanks
to its calibrated angle, acts as a real aerodynamic duct, while its shape in
the plan view is tapered at the sides. These two geometric characteristics
combine to deflect the most highly energised flow entering the cabin well away
from the occupants.
The duct at the centre of the wind stop ensures
that part of the flow entering the cabin is deflected downwards towards the
rear seat, forcing it to mix with a slower flow. This means it loses most of
its energy, effectively reducing turbulence in the cabin. The result is an extension
of the bubble around the occupants and particularly their heads, guaranteeing
unparalleled en plein air comfort. The shape, angle and permeability of the
deployable wind stop are all crucial to achieving this objective, and were
developed thanks to a combination of CFD simulation and many wind tunnel
sessions.
There is no doubt that the most visually
striking downforce generation feature is the active spoiler at the rear of the
car’s upper body. A mobile spoiler is cleverly concealed in the rear lid, not
interfering in the least the car’s line. However, thanks to a special
mechanism, it can deploy into three different positions (Low drag – LD, Medium
Downforce – MD, High Downforce – HD).
In low speed situations, when downforce has only
a modest impact on the car’s performance, the spoiler goes into low drag
position. This configuration is maintained until the car hits a speed of 100 km/h.
At speeds of over 300 km/h, the spoiler is in MD mode. This choice was made
because in these conditions, the preference is for a better balanced car, in
part because of the minimal impact on drag. In speed ranges in which downforce
plays a pivotal role in performance, the spoiler is in MD position and its
movement to the HD position depends on the car’s longitudinal and lateral
acceleration. The threshold value is variable and linked to the Manettino
position.
In medium downforce mode (MD), the mobile
element is at a 150-degree angle to the rear screen. In this configuration, it
can generate around 30% of maximum downforce with an increase in drag of under
1%. In high-performance handling or braking situations, the mobile element automatically
moves to HD configuration, generating maximum downforce and readying the car to
provide the driving thrills that all Ferraris deliver. When deployed to its
maximum height (HD), the mobile element creates a 135 degree angle with the
surface of the rear screen, thus generating around 95 kg of downforce at 250 km/h,
yet increasing drag by a mere 4%.
The increase in front downforce is due for the
most part to a pair of vortex generators, which have been optimised for this
particular model. They create a ground effect by introducing concentrated and
coherent vortices into the area whilst simultaneously managing the wake from
the front wheels with the ultimate aim of guaranteeing very efficient downforce
generation.
VEHICLE DYNAMICS
The goal of the Ferrari Ferrari Roma Spider’s vehicle
dynamics development was to deliver superior driving thrills and handling
precision on a par with the Ferrari Roma, thanks to the Side Slip Control
concept which uses an algorithm developed by Ferrari that provides an
instantaneous estimate of side slip to all the various on-board control systems.
This data is then used to coordinate and implement interventions in a rapid,
timely and accurate manner.
The Side Slip Control System (SSC), version 6.0
of which is used here, integrates all the car’s vehicle dynamics systems, most
notably the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer, active solely in the Manettino’s Race
position. The FDE is a lateral dynamics control system that rapidly adjusts the
hydraulic brake pressure at the callipers on all four wheels consistent with
the dynamic situation requiring control. It is designed to make the evolution
of the car’s lateral dynamics more predictable through and exiting corners,
ensuring the driver’s control of the steering wheel and throttle are simpler
and more intuitive. The system flanks the traditional Electronic Stability
Control system.
Like the Ferrari Roma, the Ferrari Roma Spider’s
Manettino has five positions to make its handling and traction performance even
more accessible with the introduction of the Race position. Supported by the
introduction of the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer, this position is designed to
boost fun behind the wheel.
CHASSIS AND BODYWORK
The Ferrari Roma Spider’s chassis is derived
from the Ferrari Roma, but features new components, with the rear section
inspired by the solution used on the Ferrari Portofino M. The sill, a
fundamentally important structural element, was developed specifically for the Ferrari
Roma Spider, as were some elements required to install the soft top, and the
A-pillar/windscreen surround.
The bodyshell retains the fundamental elements
of the Ferrari Roma’s design: the modifications made focused mainly on the rear
and on harmonising the Ferrari Roma Spider’s lines so that they retain their
elegance with the top down. Exceptional torsional rigidity and beam stiffness
figures for the bodyshell and chassis have been achieved despite an increase in
weight of just 84 kg for a weight/power ratio of 2.5 kg/cv, which remains at
the very top of the high-performance 2+ spider category. This impressive result
also ensures that the Ferrari Roma Spider benefits from the same excellent
handling and performance as the Ferrari Roma.
This increase was due in part to two factors.
Firstly, the addition of the unique integrated wind deflector, which
significantly improves occupant comfort. Secondly, the addition of headrests
for the rear seats that visually integrate into the tonneau cover design.
The automatic fabric soft top guarantees occupant
comfort on a par with the retractable hard top system equipping the other
spider models in the range. The large rear glass screen is fully integrated
into the soft-top geometry. The five-layer fabric dampens wind and road noise,
making it quiet even at high speeds. During development, special attention was
also paid to reducing the ballooning effect typical of soft tops. The technical
solutions adopted by Ferrari’s engineers have thus guaranteed class-leading
performance in these areas.
The soft-top mechanism was designed to be light
yet resilient: it pushes technical performance limits to new heights thanks to
a Z-shaped movement that folds the soft top away in a mere 13.5 seconds and up
to a maximum speed of 60 km/h. When stowed, the roof occupies a height of just
220mm, which is the lowest in the category, and that, in turn, ensures a roomy
boot (a class-leading 255 litres with the top up).
The gas springs used to extend the wind
deflector were meticulously designed and developed to deliver controlled,
smooth action at all stages of movement and in all conditions. The wind
deflector can be opened at up to 170 km/h. The chance of opening the mechanism
is automatically speed-limited to ensure that it can be deployed in safety.
Once in place, the wind deflector can be used at any speed in open
configuration.
The wind deflector retains all the features
unique to a real backrest: the surface the rear occupants rest on is padded for
comfort, while it is shaped to open even when the front seats are pushed back.
The central duct compensates for the air pressure acting either side, improving
the efficiency of its movement. The system’s kinematic points are the result of
an in-depth study of the entire back seat and boot area, optimising their
position in relation to movement and weight.
7 YEARS MAINTENANCE
Ferrari’s unparalleled quality standards and
intense focus on client service underpin the extended seven-year maintenance
programme offered with the Ferrari Roma Spider. Available across the entire
range, it covers all regular maintenance for the first seven years of the car’s
life. This scheduled maintenance programme for Ferraris is an exclusive service
that gives clients the certainty that their car is being kept at peak
performance and safety over the years. This very special service is also
available to owners of pre-owned Ferraris.
Regular maintenance (at intervals of either
20,000 km, or once a year with no mileage restrictions), original spares and
meticulous checks by staff trained directly at the Ferrari Training Centre in
Maranello using the most modern diagnostic tools are just some of the
advantages of the Genuine Maintenance Programme. The service is available on
all markets worldwide and from all Dealerships on the Official Dealership
Network.
The Genuine Maintenance programme further
extends the vast range of after-sales services offered by Ferrari to meet the
needs of clients wishing to preserve the performance and excellence that are
the signatures of all cars built in Maranello.
Ferrari
Roma Spider – TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE
Type V8
– 90° – twin turbo
Total displacement 3855 cc
Bore and stroke 86.5 mm x 82 mm
Max. power output* 456 kW (620 cv) at
5750–7500 rpm
Max. torque 760
Nm at 3000-5750 rpm
Max. revs 7500
rpm
Compression ratio 9.45:1
Specific power output 161
cv/l
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTS
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/power ratio 2.5 kg/cv
Weight distribution 48% ant. / 52% post.
Fuel tank capacity 80
l
Boot capacity 255 l
TYRES 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
8-speed F1 DCT
ELECTRONIC CONTROLS
EPS, VDC, ABS with EBD, F1-TCS, E-Diff3, SSC 6.0, FDE, SCM-E Frs
PERFORMANCE
Max. Speed > 320
km/h
0-100 km/h 3.4
s
0-200 km/h 9.7
s
100-0 km/h 32 m
200-0 km/h 130 m
FUEL CONSUMPTION
Under homologation
CO2 EMISSIONS
Under homologation
* With 98 RON fuel
** With optional lightweight content