Malaysia's gradual reopening of her economic sectors have seen quite a few new cars burst into the scene, and among them - sitting all the way up on the price scale - is this. Say hello to the 2021 Ferrari Portofino M.

The 'M' in its name stands for modificata - Italian for modified - a suffix Ferrari has occassionally used over the years to mark models that have received significant technological updates.

Yes, the M, the shared principle behind hallowed models like the 512 M, 456 M GT, and the 575 M Maranello.

Don't call it a facelift

It'd be doing Maranello a disservice to call this 'just a facelift' of 2017's Portofino, as the 'M' proves that there's really quite a raft of changes in and out. Think of it as an evolution, if you will.

Key identifiers to the Portofino M are the more aggressive intakes and redesigned grille on the front bumper, new drag-reducing vents by the wheelarches, and a retouched rear-end which features a revised diffuser.

Rounding off the exterior changes are model-specific diamond-finish 20-inch wheels to go.

From convertible to coupe

Switching between a true-to-form berlinetta coupe or an open-top cruiser takes just 14 or so seconds.

Retractable hardtop (RHT) up or down, it really does look good - if a little gentler compared to the SF90 and F8 for example.

Also read: Sometimes-FWD Ferrari SF90 Spider launched in Malaysia - 1,000 PS hybrid, priced from RM 2m

But that's in part because they're all doing different things. The grand tourer (GT) nature of this Portofino M means there's seating for four, and more comfort-oriented extras like optional ADAS, which also bundles in adaptive cruise control with stop & go (ACC) among other stuff.

Fit snugly on the driver's seat, the cabin certainly offers lots to look at. There's a multi-level dashboard, and sitting proud of it is a three-abreast instrument cluster, with two digital screens and a delectably old-school, big rev-counter.

Infotainment is handled by a 10.25-inch, Android Auto/Apple CarPlay-supporting touchscreen in the middle, just above the buttoned gear selector.

Also read: Why your next car should come with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay

You can also get a touchscreen on the passenger side, which can then be used to scare whoever's sitting next to you...

Now with more power, new gearbox

...because scary speeds it will reach, as the 'M' denomination serves a Roma-matching 620 PS and 760 Nm through its 3.9-litre, V8 biturbo mill.

That's a 20 PS bump from the Portofino, and it's good enough to propel the Portofino M to 100 km/h from a standstill in just 3.45 seconds. 200 km/h? 9.8 seconds, and it'll keep going until it reaches its top speed of 320 km/h.

Besides the power increase, the other big change is the transmission. Gone is the previous 7-speed gearbox, and in comes a new 8-speed, wet-type dual clutch transmission (DCT), with a 20 percent smaller clutch module.

Ferrari's also tweaked the entire exhaust system by removing the silencers and employing oval bypass valves for...you guessed it, enhanced exhaust sounds.

Having heard it start up, I can attest to this. All we need now is for the chance to give it the beans...

And last but not least, there's new ways to use all that shove as well as the Portofino M gains a five-position manettino - a first for a Ferrari GT - adding on 'Wet' and 'Race' alongside the usual 'Comfort', 'Sport' and 'ESC-Off' modes.

A host of fancy names round off the Portofino M's technological arsenal: you'll still get Slide Slip Control 6.0 (SSC), an electronic differential (E-diff), and magnetorheological, twin-solenoid suspension (SCM-E Frs).

Prices start from RM 998k

Prices for the 2021 Ferrari Portofino M in Malaysia starts from RM 998,000 (before duties, taxes, and insurance), up to the limits you set - don't forget customisation options are practically boundless for a Ferrari.

Like the entire Ferrari range, the Portofino M is backed by a 7-year maintenance programme.