Ferrari Portofino revealed ‑ 600hp "entry‑level" gets serious

This then is the new Ferrari Portofino, announced today (August 23^rd)  ahead of its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, where it will take over from the California T. There’s even a new shade of red to celebrate the launch: Rosso Portofino. 

Ferrari has given the Portofino a new version of the 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 from the 488 GTB as well as an all-new chassis said to be much lighter than the one it replaces. But in a world increasingly going soft in the hood department, Maranello has stayed true to the retractable hard-top, always the California’s USP as well as its burden. 

Roof up or down, the new car is sleeker and more cohesive a design than the old model from any angle. The profile verges on the classical, the new body-colour hard-top (rather than the black of some previous Californias) contributing to what is a remarkable impression of a very sharp-looking fastback coupe. Roof down it’s just as seamless, with only a vestigial roof hump.

There are new LED headlights in the new nose, new side vents and a new tail treatment to better hide all the hard-top gubbins, but you won’t need them: you’ll be able to tell Portofino from California at a glance. 

Ferrari says the Portofino continues to offer the roomy cabin (still with two kids-only seats in the back) and luggage room of its predecessor, making it a practical as well as fast convertible GT. Features inside include a bigger new touchscreen infotainment system, new air-conditioning system, new steering wheel, 18-way electrically adjustable seats and a new wind deflector which is claimed to cut top-down turbulence by 30 per cent. 

Ferrari says the new chassis makes the car stiffer as well as lighter. The Cali T weighed in at a chunky 1,730kg, no weight is given for the new car, though with weight distribution at 46-54 front/rear it is better balanced.

Vehicle dynamics are said to have been ”completely revised” to work with not just the new chassis but also new-tech solutions such as the latest electronic rear differential (E-Diff3), F1-Trac stability control and electric power steering. Uprated magnetorheological damping helps reduce roll for a more dynamic drive and, asserts Ferrari, improved ride comfort.

Putting it all to the test is a formidable engine spec: 592bhp (600hp) at 7500rpm with 560lb ft of torque between 3,000 and 5,250rpm. The V8 has 40 more horses than the California T but there’s no need for the 488 GTB to worry: its V8 boasts another 70bhp.

Changes to the twin-turbo engine include new pistons and con-rods, a new intake system and new exhaust all of course with a new electronic brain to make the magic happen. Ferrari says top down, it sounds better than ever. It’s quicker too with a tenth off the 0-62mph dash, now 3.5 seconds, and top whack of 199mph.

One thing's for sure, Ferrari’s retractable hard-top GT will never be called a hairdresser’s car again.