FIRST DRIVE: 612bhp Ferrari Roma Spider | Top Gear REVIEW

Is Ferrari’s Roma Spider the most attractive two-seat compact supercar on sale today? Well, that’s for you to decide. But here are the facts. While the bulk of the Roma’s slender lines remain as per the coupe, the rear has most obviously been reworked to incorporate the new folding roof. Comprised of special weaves and five layers, it’s the first time fabric has been deployed as a roofing material on a front-engined Ferrari since the 365 GTS4 back in 1969.
This Spider is exactly 84kg heavier than the Roma Coupe, thanks in part - says Ferrari - to the new and very clever wind deflector, which when deployed rotates the backrest of the rear seats (sans passengers, of course) into position behind the front two’s heads. This itself is as much a comfort solution - less turbulence - as it is an aerodynamic one.
Ferrari also worked on the rear spoiler’s geometry and added a 5mm nolder on the windscreen header rail along with the new deflector, itself deployable by a small button on the centre console.
The addition of which is the only interior change over the coupe. There’s the Roma’s familiar wraparound ‘dual-cockpit’ concept enforced by that high central console, itself containing a neat nod back to Ferrari’s open-gate-gearbox roots, and the 8.4in floating display. The driver gets their own digital display of course, reflecting the V8’s current state.
And with 612bhp on offer, there will be many states. Mostly excitable. The 3.9-litre V8 turbo comes in unchanged from the Roma Coupe, along with the same eight-speed dual clutch gearbox, a new exhaust tune for better noise, and the ability to run 0-62mph in 3.4 seconds. Flat out, it’s just shy of 200mph.
But what’s it like to drive? We sent Top Gear Magazine’s Jason Barlow out to Italy to experience la dolce vita and find out.
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First Looks: bit.ly/TGFirstLooks
First Drives: bit.ly/TGFirstDrives
American Tuned ft. Rob Dahm: bit.ly/TGAmericanTuned
LISTEN to the Top Gear Magazine Podcast: topgear.podlink.to/Podcast
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:54 La dolce vita
02:54 Styling
05:19 Interior
07:31 Gadgets
08:37 Ride quality
11:07 Conclusion
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[@ahmaddoshan845]

Im not a convertible kind of guy, but this is sheer beauty.

[@krishnandudey7622]

It's the curves man the curves..

[@jamescosby2343]

I'm seventy two years old. Just my opinion, stay as far away from rag-tops as you can. Thank you.

[@Ric0806]

@@jamescosby2343 rag tops now are nothing like how you remember them from back then boomer. Materials are better...the mechanical design is better....they have sound proofing. Not the same product at all. Do more research Pops.

[@jamescosby2343]

@@Ric0806 : Thanks Ric. I live in DelMar/Solana Bch area here in California. I've lived through vinyl tops, t-tops, and yes convertible tops. In the eighties I own a black Ferrari Modial convertible. It was very cool to say the least. Fast and sexy. Bought it as a second owner from Performace Jaguar/San Diego. I do remember well how the rag top was a pain in the ass and the road noise was always there. Anyway, long trips to Tucson, AZ were just OK. It's like a boat, you love it when you buy it and love it when you sell it. Wised up and bought a Mercedes CLK coupe. Now, It's The Best Or Nothing." Still getting alot of snapper tho :) Best always.

[@howtoquitgambling7051]

The color isn t what I would choose that s for sure. In red, blue or black I m sure it s great.

[@JDT2309]

The cinematography in this video is truly understated. Awesome setting for this car

[@TopGear]

Note to self: shoot more videos in Italy

[@Simontrxly]

personally i always think its the wrong face presenting it RIP

[@Ar1AnX1x]

Cinematography is very good but what they need to improve to be able to compete with the original top gear is better writing I really miss those episodes that were it was written by a high level writer that also fully understands the car he's writing about, the soundtracks, cinematography and the locations were part of it, the Writing was the bones and foundation of those classic episodes on McLaren P1, LaFerrari, Porsche 918, etc.

[@Ar1AnX1x]

@@TopGear you feel me my dear nigga?

[@unsolicitedadvice2803]

What type of cinematography quality would you exactly expect from the BBC? The biggest national broadcast organisation on the planet with insane budgets and tv production experience since 1936? Top gear has won multiple awards, including an Emmy. The cinematography is significantly better than almost all YT vids. So why is it understated? It isn't; the cinematographic quality of this video is very obvious and not 'understated' in any way or form. Your comment makes zero sense

[@zcat1006]

This Irish bloke is absolutely honest in his review. I do like his approach.

[@richjohn9356]

Think he is Scottish but will forgive him, as he is excellent 😂

[@carloscanizares4699]

Yep, he’s very good. And I never thought there could be another as good as Catchpole, but I’d love to see more reviews from this chap.

[@zcat1006]

@@richjohn9356 Ha!

[@richjohn9356]

@@carloscanizares4699 yes , he has been at it a while and also like to see more videos from him 👍

[@charaznable2791]

😂😂😂 "Irish Bloke" = Jason Barlow is a long time editor to Top Gear and used to present BBC2 TG before the reformate with Clarkson. He's also contributed to many other motoring outlets and has been around for years... like his career is older than I am 🤦🏾‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[@nicholasstocker8864]

I never find the Portifino ugly, but man this Roma Spider is magnificent to look at!

[@weallfollowmanutd]

Amazing what people view as magnificent. Many many cars in the 60s looked better than this. Most of the reasons for that, are crash protection and window lines. I feel this is a good looking car, but from some angles it looks pain awkward.

[@absolutium]

@@weallfollowmanutd I agree I want to love it but there is something wrong with the desinot sure what yet.

[@jacopoalberta2724]

For those wondering, the set of this video is the magnificent South-Western Sardinian coast. In particular, the beautiful roads rode by the Top Gear crew are located between Tuerredda/Chia beach and porto Buggerru. We were lucky enough to encounter the Ferraris and the crew during a car drive to the beach. If what you look for in a vacation are stunning beaches, wild Mediterranean scrub, amazing food, ancient traditions and sumptuous coast roads, make sure to plan your next vacation in South Sardinia. #visitsardinia

[@dyls2702]

Man i love this car its just so heartbreakingly beautiful.

[@Mr888rM]

How is the California not a front engine spider?

[@BorjaOjeda]

Was wondering the same thing. But I guess by spider he meant a soft top convertible instead of a retractable hard top? I don’t know, he could’ve phrased it better

[@jonh5941]

Because Ferrari said so 😂

[@entertainingandfun2719]

Best Ferrari since the Italian and the la Ferrari. Such a masterpiece.

[@gglen2141]

The aeroplane mentioned was a savoia marchetti S 65 and you can see what they are talking about. Stunning aircraft.

[@FidelisG]

Never a fan of the coupe Roma but wow I think the Roma was meant to be a Spider from the get-go.

[@Luminos3c273]

La Roma coupe’ con i suoi 620 🐴secondo il mio gusto personale è’ migliore e stilisticamente e più’ bella della spider: Quel tettuccio in tela non mi piace !!! 🤔Comunque è’ magnifica 👍

[@kaushikkumarsahoo1361]

The location and the lighting in this video is 🔥. It brings out sheer beauty of the car. Such a cinematic shoot. Hope you have got some poster stills out of it. 😂

[@TheTerrier]

Nice to see Jason Barlow on the screen, him and Tom Ford are both under-appreciated

[@oldgreygamer]

Great review JB!! Beautiful photography, and a stunningly beautiful, dare I say slightly futuristic looking Ferrari!

[@whitsundaydreaming]

This is the first design of theirs I’ve loved in years. The punched grill is it’s most unique trait and I love it. Rip out the screens and it’s perfect.

[@nalista5352]

there was also Ferrari California that had a spyder version and was a front-engine car after Daytona

[@thepurplesband]

Great review Jason. Good to see you back on video.

[@germainwilson800]

Thanks for being honest and truthful on this car. Really liked this video

[@IanRossDavies]

I forget just how good Mr Barlow is at this. Best review I’ve seen of this car yet. And there has been a LOT of them pop up today 😅

[@gordonmills2748]

I saw a Roma coupe here in Phoenix Arizona about 2 years ago. The color was like a glass of dark red wine in a candlelit restaurant in Milan, and the car was like that woman you stare at as she walks by and only later realize that she must be some sort of supermodel and you should have tried to talk to her. Like that supermodel, I have no chance to spend any time with a Roma, but it was certainly nice to see up close.

[@nailil5722]

alright bro you're trying too much 💀

[@Ar1AnX1x]

I love the screen they have for the passenger side pretty sure no other car anything like that showing certain info to the passenger, from speed, to the radio/music information to other stuff, keeping the passenger entertained

[@danielabrams4466]

It's a Ferrari, it's a masterpiece...

[@drstevej2527]

Only if you don’t actually drive it. Ferrari owners don’t drive their cars for fear of losing value.

[@MUISHAGGY572]

​@@drstevej2527that's for the high end Ferraris, the Roma is an entry level so it's okay to drive.

[@amarjit_singh_]

@@drstevej2527It's the owners fault, nothing to do with Ferrari but some owners have driven their Ferrari's and have 160k miles on the odometer.

[@drstevej2527]

@@amarjit_singh_ According to whom? What % of Ferrari owners daily drive their cars? This is why we do actual research.

[@amarjit_singh_]

@@drstevej2527 You don't get the point, do you? It's not Ferrari's responsibility to see whether or not their owners drive their Ferrari's daily! But when the owners drive their Ferrari's daily then there are no issues with their cars and this is proven by some of the high mileage Ferrari's (160k miles) featured on the internet.

[@luapkirner5331]

Agree. The 33 Stradale's approach to the wheel is the way to go.

[@meninobryan2110]

bem explicado, ótimo carro

[@davidherringgo]

So nice, never really wanted a Ferrari. The Spider Roma changed that. Superb review of 4 wheel exotica . Only thing missing was raising the roof on the fly ,and some in cabin shots of the fit and finish of the top. Well done Ferrari, now to learn the makers story in a month at the cinema.

[@4_r_e_dad]

When I saw the Ferrari deput video of the Roma Spider I instantly fell in love ... this video amplified it 😊

[@gallien0001]

Usually car makers fail to design convertible versions of their cars gracefully but this is gorgeous, I'm a roma lover, to me ferrari lost its soul when pininfarina left, but the centro stile nailed this car !

[@zk9058]

Love the Roma. And i love the Roma spider. Such an amazing car. Nothing entry level about it.

[@MM-xr6tz]

Needs the chrome grill from a 456 and it would be perfect. I'll take mine in verde pino metallizzato with silver wheels and cognac hide. Bellissima!!! Top review Jason, good to see you back at TG.

[@budja1501]

this reviewer guy is cool, very straight to the point and honest

[@lostgleammedia]

One of the most beautiful cars ever

[@RandomUsername1995blah]

Were the California and portofino not a front engined spider ?

[@vny469]

Lambo makes a convertible: ok Porsche makes a convertible: meh Ferrari makes a convertible: OMG, the most beautiful cars we've ever seen

[@PAB-nw9hs]

Best review so far, thank you

[@puttemacguff7666]

No other car show get close to the Picture and Sound that top gear gives you. I do Love BBC!

[@user-xr3cu8wl5t]

beautiful Video, beautiful car nice scenes and music what a dream this car is, "oh lord, wont you buy me a ferrari roma spider"

[@cobra1010]

Such a beautiful and great car - just let down by this annoying touchscreen business! Who wants to start up a Ferrari with a touch pad? I hope they will change this quickly!

[@virtuouschu5745]

Isn’t the California and Portofino front engine spider?

[@NikolaOvcharski]

Great shots with the sea and roof

[@jordanturner4972]

No front-engined Ferrari convertible since the Daytona? What about the California & Portofino?

[@NamathCB]

Been dreaming of having a Porsche most of my life. Respect the Ferraris for they're craziness, speed and handling but not always they're looks. But woowee this one's sexy. Will always be beautiful. Never will you hear, "what were they thinking" when looking at the lines of this thing.

[@MarcSob22]

I think the Ferrari wheel is perfect, i have my SF90 for almost two years now, and i really love it! About the Roma is absolutely gorgeous, perfect GT

[@glennlpowell]

Simply love the styling, colour, design, even the tech. Now where is my lottery ticket.

[@rafaelxmoreira]

The coupe version of this car is the prettiest car on the market today. This is the second.

[@sparky4878]

No front engined spider since the Daytona? What about the 575, 812, F12 etc convertibles? Or not true spiders? Though Ferrari’s own website called the 812 GTS a spider.

[@eddy7236]

Portofino not count?

[@thomasbest5263]

California?

[@maz4304]

I was confused by this too - maybe it’s in reference to actual being blessed as a ‘Spider’ by name, or being the first (production) soft-top since that 365. Definitely not the first front-engined drop-top since then

[@olivier2004]

Spider has a softtop. Ferrari also did not call any convertible version spider after the 365gtb4 (Daytona)

[@lucianocaruso2329]

He meant to say “four seater” convertible.

[@hansnordlander2618]

Stunning car!!!

[@luisanibaldalonzo1121]

Me encanta que el techo sea de lona, un verdadero descapotable

[@huntmachine4505]

Can anyone give a logical reason why so many of the manufacturers put those useless rear seats in their sports cars (this car, Porsche 911, new AMG Mercedes SL, etc.)?! And don't say because they are cheaper to insure with 4 seats without providing true examples. The Roma Spider is a stunningly good looking car that would look much better without the headrests for the rear seats no one will ever sit in messing up the profile. Dare I say it looks better with the top up.

[@your-neighbor]

Love the rear seats!

[@lucamarini1113]

I like this bloke, more reviews with him

[@bimsarachathuranga1284]

Love the looks of this beauty. ❤

[@jtc1964x]

Simply, the most beautiful car on the market today and a nice return to when Ferraris were styled for beauty over aero

[@SoCalFreelance]

There are certain parts of a city where you definitely don't want to 'get lost' in a Roma Spider.

[@piermariobarozzi]

All of USA

[@voltexxx69]

​@@piermariobarozzi Why tho?

[@lawrencefearon6830]

Really? Who gets lost with navigation?

[@nicochicobean1395]

ur car

[@Qwerty10254]

Ironically, areas in Rome too 😂 (source: I'm Italian myself )

[@PaulMathias1]

A thing of beauty.

[@alalal123421]

that intro was gorgeous ngl

[@robohofo1]

Nice review. Liked the presentation and opinions. Sounds a bit like Ian Paisley trying on BBC English

[@marijuananirvana]

Does anybody make an all carbon shell for any hardtop convertible?

[@colinbennett]

More of Jason Barlow (the presenter) please. Brilliant stuff.

[@TooMuchFlipping]

I agree. We need more cars with no buttons on the wheel. All of the haptic buttons just make things look to complicated and distract from driving.

[@muddystick]

Isn't the Roma a fixed roof Portofino? So a chop top Roma is a Portofino?

[@T.S.T2014]

Wrong colour combo but mother of god that is STUNNING!

[@T.S.T2014]

@@MXYZPTLK.. good question to ask, that colour is not to my taste and I would have to go through the build of a car to decide. I have seen a number of Ferraris in a Deep Maroon colour which would be in my top 5 for starters.

[@T.S.T2014]

@@MXYZPTLK.. now you have peaked my interest in green, there is some sensational shades of it these days.

[@russellstraw]

A work of art👍

[@andrewstevenson6540]

I just adore soft tops but you do not need silly power to enjoy them. A Rolls Dawn or even a nice 4.0 litre XJS would be a better thing to negotiate Sardinia.

[@horsepower523]

Elegant and sophisticated design and a fantastic engine. The Roma is an absolute masterpiece.

[@popguy2815]

Nice, sadly will never see one on the road around here.

[@hishammohsinikhs]

Simple design but very well done.❤❤❤

[@stevelee8437]

Can't wait to get behind the wheel of one.

[@3ducs]

Yeah, me neither.

[@besaprotv]

Ferraris are just breath taking to look at......

[@mikefraley6935]

Damn, give me that car in red with a silver stripe. What a beautiful car!

[@Comisionado]

Amazing review

[@govindajith5243]

I used to love this brand. Can’t think of anything they make now which I want.

[@all-caps3927]

another useless commenter trying to act cool because they don't like Ferrari.

[@govindajith5243]

@@all-caps3927 I just said I liked them. Not any more. It’s okay. I am fine with you having your spotlight.

[@aaronwalker1549]

I hear you bro.

[@Tennisisreallyfun]

Honestly, once they took away the cylindrical tail lights, I feel the elegant curves of the body that so captivated me about Ferrari’s design language also just evaporated. It seemed like it stopped after the 488 Pista and now the 812 is the last to fly the flag, so to say. The SF90 is still lovely, but even that suffers from this new design language that just seems a lot more sterile. Minimalistic maybe? Hmmm…it’s hard to explain. It’s still Ferrari, so it will never not be cool, but I feel there are brands out there nowadays with more emotion in there looks, like Lamborghini!!!

[@Rudenbehr]

@@TennisisreallyfunCylindrical tail lights got played out. Sometimes you need to change it up.

[@farishanafiah8461]

Normally, I'm a huge sucker for NA V8/V12. But for the real intention of this car as a long distance grand tourer, having some forced induction won't hurt. But I'm still not sure if I would take this over its Portofino predecessor. I still maintain the Portofino looks more elegant than Roma.

[@cedricjackson7521]

What about the far Rec California? That’s front engine.

[@shopwithaaron]

Stunning place with an achingly beautiful car...wish to be YOU! THANK YOU

[@ichiban8558]

Sort of came out of nowhere. It's a beautiful thing.

[@hishammohsinikhs]

Is this out in the market already n price on the road?❤❤❤

[@lulamile4382]

Is there a difference between a spider and convertible, cause I'm confused! Wasn't the California T a front engine convertible?

[@lawrencefearon6830]

Overall design is a home run. Convertible interior ergonomics fail from that exposed protruding 45° angled touchscreen. Get ready for blinding reflections and fingerprints top down. What works in the coupe fails in the convertible. The whole goal of convertible instrumentation is deep dashboard mounting and shrouding from the sun not naked upended placement maximizing screen glare.

[@neillgowans4350]

The coupe has great lines and in a dark colour the mesh grill works. The roof lines on the convertible are broken and just don’t flow well enough.

[@piermariobarozzi]

Quoting James May: you're bold! Live with it!

[@Dctrue76]

Nice review but what's with the attire?

[@ez_seba-mx]

Im from México and recently, I make a order of a Roma spider, and after i see this video, I don't regret my purchase , in some months i will recibe it

[@tommywang8229]

This is so much better than the Portifino M, both exterior and performance.

[@greathey1234]

Will you buy one?

[@absolutium]

Portofino is perfection this is way less practical.

[@richjohn9356]

Portofinos design is better . This needs to be longer and more practical

[@Ric0806]

​@@absolutiumyou are entitled to your opinion.....even if it's exceedingly ignorant and severely stupid.

[@simratsingh1416]

In my opinion Portofino M is is just ❤ lovely and Roma is meh

[@k1ng617]

What are the point of back seats that only amputees can sit in? Surely some extra storage space would make more sense while also increase lightness.

[@your-neighbor]

You can literally stuff things in there.

[@MrRJC1991]

A beautiful car

[@paulward4268]

I hope that people have got over their completely unwarranted "Sniffy"Ness with the front grill design. Because quite frankly, it rounds off the beautiful styling Perfectly. No silly undercuts or slots - just pure, smooth and flowing lines. Absolute perfection.

[@givemeajackson]

the rear is very tall, but from the front it's very pretty.

[@MechatronCNC-HVM]

That perforated grill should have been more a traditional ferrari horizontal bars to fit the classic styling.

[@stickshifter8]

Any comments to the fact that the rear windows do not retract fully while open, leaving a glass triangle poking out of the bodywork? In my mind it’s umbelievable someone let that one pass into production on such a high end car. Lame…

[@angcil88]

Stunning!

[@_downunderdutch289]

Make sure you turn the CC on

[@xcarter_carsx2848]

I’m confused by what you mean when you say there hasn’t been a front engine spider since the Daytona? The Ferrari California and portofino are both front engine spiders?

[@luisdelaguila3868]

Stunning.

[@tealion]

not showing the referenced Savoia-Marchetti airplane is a tragedy. No idea which model they're referring to, because there's no resemblance really.

[@JohnMark-bx1ks]

how many will be sold in Dubai???

[@kerryscott3287]

I think you forget about the ferrari california

[@sparky4878]

He did mention the Portafino, which replaced the California T, when referring to a hard top roof. Maybe that’s not counted as a spider?

[@ZATennisFan]

It looks even better in that color than in the red

[@thepurplesband]

Agreed. Doesn’t look as good in red Darker colours suit the Roma better

[@TheBadBunny87]

Haven't seen this guy on TopGear for over 20 years. Always liked him. Although if this is going to be a common occurrence where TopGear bring back old presenters, please *DO NOT* bring back Steve Berry 😅

[@SiddharthaKS1983]

The Roma feels like a dialed down version their sports car pedigree which feels more like a Beginners Ferrari, But I must say the Engineering department a perfect job in Integrating the Software and Hardware for a more user friendly Approach.

[@BLNSMC]

This is one of the most beautiful cars ever…..

[@eliotbuffoni639]

No front engined spider since the Daytona? What about California, Superamerica, 599 aperta?

[@ddfann]

Not feeling the rear end, a bit bloated and yet stubby

[@ZFabio87]

I agree. Much better is a longer rear like the Maserati Granturismo 2023... for me one of the most beautiful.