FIRST DRIVE: 1016bhp Ferrari SF90 XX Spider – How Hardcore Can A Cabrio Be?

Ferrari’s track-only XX cars are rare, thought to number around 116 in total, spanning Enzo-based FXX, 599XX, and LaFerrari-underpinned FXX-K, plus their uprated Evo variants.

But now the XX tag has been applied to Ferrari road cars. Hardcore ones of course, but while the first – the SF90 XX Stradale – is reassuringly expensive and the fastest-ever road car around Ferrari’s Fiorano test circuit, the company will build 799 of them. And, when we drove it in late 2023, it wasn’t quite all we thought a road-going XX should be.

You could argue that’s okay. The XX sub-brand has been established – and can now be exploited – while Ferrari’s best clients switch their focus to the £5m 499P Modificata, a derestricted Le Mans car.

And yet, there’s now a convertible XX, the new SF90 XX Spider. A sacrilegious step too far, too soon? Top Gear Magazine’s Deputy Editor, Ollie Kew, has been to find out…

WATCH MORE TOP GEAR:

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:39 Specs
02:06 Pricing
03:11 Walkaround
05:48 Driving
08:29 Conclusion

MORE ABOUT TOP GEAR:

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[TopGear]

Name your favourite iteration of Ferrari XX

[markharry-williams]

To be honest, making a road legal XX model takes away the excusivity of the XX branding, being labeled as track only cars

[MrWachira]

Cant belive the sf90 is 5 years old already. Feels like yesterday...

[dr]

I'm giving this a like not because of the car, but because of Ollie. It'd be so easy to turn a blind eye and praise the car. Especially once you've been invited to Maranello for a test drive.
You keeping it real with the audience instead of playing nice with Ferrari shouldn't go unnoticed.

[ColtAlabama]

It's not an XX car no matter how much Ferrari try to tell us it is.

[mwinner]

Looks like some “tuner” got ahold of the regular SF90 and modified it for the Tokyo Motor Show. Just needs a giant Hello Kitty decal on the hood.

[jryalls]

That’s you crossed of Ferrari’s Christmas card list 😂

[RizM]

Good on Top Gear and to Ollie for calling it how it is and holding Ferrari to account. As a diehard Ferrari and XX car fan, this is a mockery and quite a disappointment.

[yTcensored]

I will have to agree, this doesn't feel like an XX at all, this is more like a pista version.

[victorkrivor]

It should have been called the SF90X, then a future caged track car could be the true SF90XX

[mitchhifi]

I think the car looks great tbh, that rear end with the top down is a thing of beauty

[mufflejoy]

The heritage, the passion, the soul, ... the marketing department. C'mon.

[Frack_Black]

Gotta pay for Lewis Hamilton and Adrian Newey, innit. 😉

[NotAvailableEmotionally]

Honestly both Ollies, Jack Rix and Tom Ford are underrated reviewers, they have revived Top Gear's Youtube page with authenticity and enthusiasm without over the top screaming and yelling.

Obviously a shoutout to the videographers and editors too.

[ermismarkantonatos]

Props to Ollie for being honest in this one!!

[bismarchiavelli]

I appreciate Ollie sharing his skepticism here. Ferrari made this car to keep SF90 values up, plain and simple.

[HoratioHoodoo]

Ferrari is gonna be pissed about this one 😂

[ZondaF]

BIG BIG PROPS to Ollie for being honest here. Much harder to do than we would imagine to standup. This is actual journalism and we thank you sir. Been watching Ollie for a bit with TG and wasnt convinced....I am convinced now and will be following.

[JmanJrad]

The SF90's powertrain deserved a more hardcore and aggressive styling. This accomplishes that mission. I think it look awesome!

[AyaxRo]

what a refreshing Man the big bosses at Maranello have to be FUMING.