Ferrari Roma 2023 Review

In recent years, the luxury sports car market in Malaysia has continued to heat up, with more and more consumers paying attention to models that combine performance and style. The Ferrari Roma Spider is a quintessential example of this niche market—it not only carries forward the brand’s racing DNA but also appeals to many enthusiasts with its convertible design and everyday usability. The primary goal of this test drive was to verify whether this 3.2 million RM convertible sports car can strike the perfect balance between performance, comfort, and practicality.

Starting with the exterior design, the overall style of the Roma Spider leans towards elegant retro aesthetics. The iconic vertical-bar grille on the front, paired with rounded LED headlights, offers high recognizability. The body’s side profile features smooth lines, with a fastback design extending from the A-pillar to the rear, appearing even more graceful when the convertible top is open. The 1974mm width and muscular fenders housing the 3.9L twin-turbo V8 engine preserve the car’s sporty character. At the rear, the circular LED taillights blend seamlessly into the bodywork, while the exhaust setup adopts a hidden design, reflecting understated sophistication. The convertible roof can open or close within 13.5 seconds and supports operations under speeds of 50km/h, making it convenient for daily use.

Stepping into the cabin, the interior style focuses on simplicity, but the materials are uncompromising: the center console is wrapped in genuine leather, accented with metal trims, offering a refined tactile experience. The 16-inch fully digital instrument cluster provides clear displays, with lights and wiper controls integrated on the left side for easy operation. The 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment display is slightly oriented toward the driver, with simple, user-friendly interface logic. The front seats support electric adjustment, with cushions long enough to support the legs, ensuring comfort even on long drives. Regarding practicality, the 2670mm wheelbase comfortably accommodates two adults, while the 255L trunk capacity can hold two carry-on luggage cases, making it more suitable for short trips in comparison to other convertibles in the same class.

The performance of the Roma Spider is its central highlight. The 3.9L twin-turbo V8 engine outputs 620PS of horsepower and 760N·m of torque, paired with an 8-speed DCT transmission, achieving an official 0-100km/h acceleration time of just 3.4 seconds. During actual driving, the throttle response in normal mode is linear, making it ideal for city commutes. Switching to sport mode eliminates almost all turbo lag, and deep throttle inputs deliver a powerful surge, with effortless mid-range acceleration for overtaking. The steering is precise and has minimal dead zone, while the car's body follows through corners exceptionally well. The front double-wishbone and rear multi-link suspension are tuned on the firm side but effectively filter out most small bumps on the road, providing a stable ride at high speeds. In terms of fuel efficiency, real-world tests under mixed driving conditions indicate approximately 12L/100km, which is reasonable considering its performance.

When driving with the top down, the Roma Spider’s noise control deserves mention: with the roof closed, wind and tire noise remain within comfortable levels under 120km/h; when the top is open, the 8-speaker JBL audio system still delivers clear music output without being overshadowed by wind noise. As for energy recovery, being a gasoline vehicle, it lacks the single-pedal mode of electric cars, but its braking is linear, with a measured braking distance of about 34 meters, providing stable performance. For everyday use, features like ACC adaptive cruise control, keyless entry, and rain-sensing wipers are highly practical, ensuring it doesn’t feel like just a “track-only” toy.

Overall, the core advantages of the Roma Spider are quite evident: priced at 3.2 million Ringgit, it offers richer configurations compared to the convertible Porsche 911 in the same class (such as standard ACC and a fully digital instrument cluster) and carries a higher brand premium; its convertible design and elegant appearance make it suitable for those who enjoy turning heads in the city, while the 255L trunk and electric seats take care of daily practicality. Compared to Ferrari’s own Portofino M, the Roma Spider is less expensive, with a simpler and more refined interior, making it more appealing to users who do not pursue extreme track performance and prioritize daily driving experience.

In summary, the Roma Spider is a “Ferrari you can drive daily” — it combines the brand’s iconic performance with features like a convertible design and practical configurations that lower the entry barrier. If you are a luxury car buyer with a budget of 3–3.5 million Ringgit, who appreciates an elegant style and occasionally needs a short-distance travel car, this could be a great choice for you.