New Ferrari Roma Spider 2023 review

Outright performance is pretty special, with 0-62mph taking 3.4 seconds and a top speed just shy of 200mph. It feels every bit as bombastic as the coupé in a straight line, despite weighing 84kg more.

It corners pretty well, too, even though its rear-drive chassis feels a fraction softer at the back than the coupé’s and the steering doesn’t feel just as aggressive off centre, despite there being no mechanical changes to the rack.

There’s some lateral movement when you really lean on the Spider on the entry to a corner, but it’s nicely controlled, plus there’s zero scuttle shake, which was one of Ferrari’s main aims with the software tweaks made to the suspension and differential.

Cabin quality and tech are hard to fault, even if the steering wheel layout is still busy. The interior feels expensive and is well thought out ergonomically. There’s a new wind deflector that can be deployed at up to 105mph, which works a treat to reduce wind blast with the hood down.

There’s even a half decent amount of room in the rear seats for short journeys, but the 255-litre boot would struggle to swallow  four people’s luggage. The 80-litre fuel tank does provide a decent touring range, though.

Anyone expecting the Roma Spider to be a flawed genius due to the removal of its roof should think again. If anything, the Spider is the sweetest Roma, not just to look at and travel in, but to drive as well, and that’s a highly unusual achievement. No question, the Spider is a peach.