Ferrari Portofino

Ferrari Portofino Overview

Named after a village in the Italian Riviera in Northern Italy, the Ferrari Portofino is Ferrari’s ‘entry level’ 2+2 convertible with retractable hardtop hailed from Maranello. The front-engined V8 grand tourer makes its global debut back in the 2017 Frankfurt motor show as the successor to the lukewarm Ferrari California T.

The Ferrari Portofino's all-new chassis features a significant weight saving over its predecessor thanks to the extensive use of modern production technologies. The award-winning Ferrari V8 turbocharged engine featured here now punches out 40 PS more than the California T.

The exterior has been completely redesigned with new and sharper looking contours that no doubt draws inspiration from Ferrari’s own four-seater shooting brake, the Ferrari GTC4Lusso. Ferrari claims that majority of buyers are new to the marque, much like the recently launched Ferrari Roma coupé, which was developed based on the Ferrari Portofino.

Priced from RM 948,000 (excluding duty and options) when launched, the drop top Prancing Horse goes up against the Aston Martin Vantage Roadster, McLaren 570 S Spider and the Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet.

Ferrari Portofino Exterior

The Ferrari Portofino is more aggressively styled compared to its predecessor, featuring two-box fastback coupé configuration with an all-new retractable hard top. Unlike the bulbous design on the California T, the Ferrari GTC4 inspired front end is sporting a more horizontal design with shaper grille and LED headlight.

Thin vertical slats outboard of the headlights channel air through the front wheel wells, channeling pressure out from the wheel spokes and reducing drag. Engine vents on the hood ventilate engine heat while the outboard front intakes feed air to the two intercoolers.

The boot-lid, underneath which the retractable hard top is stored, sports a pair of fairing that trail off towards the rear where you will find a widely spaced round taillight, punctuating the car’s sporty stance while cleverly concealing the fairly hefty rear volume.

Between the quad tailpipe is a functioning rear diffuser, a reminder that despite its ‘entry level’ Ferrari status, it is still very much a serious piece of kit.

Ferrari Portofino Dimension

It is 16 mm longer, 28 mm wider and 4 mm lower than the California T. And despite the bigger size, it is 66 kg lighter too, tipping the scale at 1,664 kg. 

Ferrari Portofino Interior

Like the exterior, the inside is essentially a mirror image to the Ferrari GTC4Lusso’s interior styling with few subtle differences. Unlike other more ‘conventional’ Ferrari models, particular attention is given to the onboard creature comfort for the grand tourer.

It is a familiar Ferrari cabin, featuring driver-oriented dashboard design and upholstered in fine Italian leather with contrast stitching. The front seats now come in thinner frames rendered from magnesium. They are incredibly supportive yet supremely comfortable at the same time while leaving a tad more knee room for the rear-seat occupants.

Behind the button-laden steering wheel and the column mounted paddle shifters is Ferrari’s classic, yellow-faced central rev-counter that redlines at 7,500 RPM, flanked by a pair of multi-info digital screens. It is also worth noting that the Manettino switch here offers only three driver settings: Comfort, Sport and ESC off, as opposed to the five settings available on the Ferrari F8 Tributo.

The 10.2-inch touchscreen display sits low on the centre console and an optional secondary touchscreen is available on the dash in front for your ‘co-pilot’. A central bridge houses the transmission controls and the all-important launch control button.

Ferrari Portofino Features

To make life a little more comfortable onboard, the Ferrari Portofino is equipped with new automatic climate control system that works even with the roof down. A new wind deflector cuts airflow inside the cabin by 30 percent and reduces aerodynamic noise.

The retractable hard top now can be raised and lowered in just 14 seconds on the move at low speed. The 18-way electrically adjustable seat make looking for the perfect driving position that much easier. The redesigned steering wheel is now smaller with revised wheel mounted controls. The iconic Ferrari manettino switch remains, as does the cherry-red engine start button on the lower left corner.

In terms of driving tech, the onboard electronics now includes a third-generation electronic diff (E-Diff3) with integrated F1-Trac, electric power steering with 7 percent faster steering ratio, and a SCM-E magnetorheological dampers for improved handling and ride quality. 

Ferrari Portofino Driving Performance

Engine

Powering the rear wheels is Ferrari’s award winning 3.9 litre twin turbocharged V8 engine capable of 600 PS at 7,500 RPM and 760 Nm of torque from 3,000 RPM. 0-100 km/h is achieved in 3.5 seconds and 0-200 km/h in 10.8 seconds. Top speed is a hair standing 320 km/h, quite literally with the roof down.

The revised engine now develops 40 PS more over the California T, making it one of the most powerful convertibles with a retractable hardtop in the market. The power gain is obtained through updated pistons and conrod, revised intake system design and recalibration of the engine management software.

Ferrari’s clever variable boost management system modulates the amount of torque available in each gear, ramping up the maximum torque gradually as you go up the gears to give it a linear power delivery and Ferrari’s characteristic throttle response with zero turbo lag.

Transmission

The engine is mated to a 7-speed F1 dual-clutch transmission from the California T with revised ratio to cater for the extra oomph from the V8 engine. Power is sent to the rear via Ferrari’s clutched electronic differential (E-Diff), which can selectively send power to the tyre with the most traction.

With the new electronically controlled bypass valve, the engine burbles along below 3,000 RPM at motorway speed but opens up to the familiar Ferrari V8 orchestra when you floor it.

Ferrari Portofino Ride Comfort

The magnetorheological damping system (SCM-E) has been uprated with dual-coil technology which helps reduce roll while improving absorption of road imperfections. The result is a more dynamic, responsive car that also delivers superior comfort.

One push on the ‘bumpy road’ button on the steering wheel and the Portofino transform from a sportscar to a GT, gliding over road imperfections yet never feels distant or disconnected. The cabin is impressively quiet on the highway too with the roof up.

Ferrari Portofino Fuel Consumption

Ferrari Portofino Conclusion

The Ferrari Portofino is arguably one the most usable Ferrari out of all the Prancing Horses that has ever come out of Maranello. Some may argue that the Portofino is not a true Ferrari for it is sensible, slightly softer, easy on the eye and just about everything that a supercar should not be. That may be partially true for the California T, but once you put your foot down on the Portofino and you will again be reminded of what the car is truly capable of.