Capable of making 592hp and sprinting from 0 to 100kph in 3.5 seconds, Ferrari says the Portofino is the most powerful convertible to combine the advantages of a retractable hard top, a roomy boot and big cockpit space plus two rear seats suitable for short trips.
The car is fitted with Ferrari's famous V8 turbo, part of the engine family that was nominated International Engine of the Year in 2016 and 2017. It now punches out 39hp more than the California T’s power unit thanks to the adoption of new components and tweaking of the engine management software. The characteristic V8 soundtrack has also been enhanced and can be fully appreciated, particularly in top-down driving.
The V8 gets new pistons and con-rods and a new intake system design. The geometries throughout the exhaust system have also been changed. The new one-piece-cast exhaust header reduces losses, an important factor in ensuring Ferrari’s characteristic throttle response with zero turbo lag. These improvements, combined with the Variable Boost Management which adjusts torque delivery to suit the gear selected, enable the Portofino to achieve higher levels of acceleration in all gears and lower fuel consumption compared to the California T.
The Portofino, penned by the Ferrari Design Centre, is an aggressively-styled car with a two-box fastback configuration that adds extra sleekness to its silhouette, lending it a sharper and sportier character than the California.
For improved aerodynamics, the outside edge of the headlight hides an air intake, which vents into the front wheel arch and exits along the flank to reduce drag. The form of the large radiator grille opening, that stretches from edge to edge of the carefully contoured nose, is underscored by a new full-LED headlight assembly with a more horizontal shape.
Placing the tail lights further apart aided to the the car’s sporty stance and hides the rear volume housing the all-new retractable hard top, which features a more lightweight design and can be raised or lowered at low speeds.
Ferrari says it has also improved interior comfort. New to the cabin are a 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen system, a new air-conditioning system that improves occupant comfort both with the top up or down, a new steering wheel, 18-way electrically adjustable seats with a new backrest design that boosts legroom for rear seat passengers, and the passenger display. A new wind deflector cuts air flow inside the cabin by 30% and also reduces aerodynamic noise when the top is dropped.
The drop-top car takes its name from one of Italy’s most beautiful towns. Portofino is renowned for its charming tourist port and, over the years, has become known for its elegance, sportiness and understated luxury. The launch colour of the new Ferrari has also been dedicated to the town: Rosso Portofino.
