Ferrari Roma Spider

FIRST UK DRIVE Roma Spider puts Italian performance marque's four-seat cabrios firmly back in the driving seat

- Richard Ingram

FERRARI's recent run of four-seat, front-mid-engined V8 convertibles could be considered (by some) to be the runts of the Italian supercar maker's range. The California, California T and Portofino never held much of a candle to their contemporary siblings – or rivals – despite having plenty of the right ingredients.

Our first drive of the new Roma Spider on foreign roads proved Ferrari was no longer resting on its laurels. Designed first as a coupé before having its roof lopped off, the Spider benefitted from a new rear sub-frame and reinforced sills, helping to give it a broader spread of abilities than its predecessors.

But a car’s true test comes when we get it on UK streets, motorways and rural roads. So can the Spider perform here as it did in Italy? First things first; the switch to a fabric roof – the Spider's forebears all had folding tin-tops – gives it, to our eyes, a more elegant profile. Buyers can specify a long list of colours for the body and roof, and can edit everything from the wheels and brake calipers, to the grille and exhaust – even the brand of tyres.