The Portofino brings out everything that the California couldn’t do, and it’s so good, it made the California look like a mistake.
| Engine | Power | Torque | 0-100kph | Top speed | Weight Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.9L V8 twin-turbo | 590hp @ 7,500rpm | 760Nm @ 3,000-5,250rpm | 3.5 secs | 320kph+ | 46%-54% (front-rear) |
Without any prior teasers or even spy shots, the Ferrari Portofino comes out of nowhere, and just at the right time for an ultimate drop top GT supercar.
After going through the numbers and updates that went into the California’s successor, it seems like this car can actually be threatening to other convertible GT cars on the road.
With a completely new chassis, thanks to new technology, Ferrari were able to decrease the weight while being able to increase its torsional stiffness, and that’s always important with convertible cars, as you miss a static roof, B and C pillars.
New shape which we’ve never seen, but with some Lusso facial resemblance, it has more of a “I know what I’m doing” face, rather than “Oh, I’m a Ferrari?” California look, and that isn’t the only thing that makes this better than its predecessor. You can see some inspirations from the 488 in the side profile and the rear taillights.
The design also facilitated some noise-cancelling functions, where the wind deflectors can now decrease the air-flow inside the cabin by 30% and reducing aerodynamic noise overall.
The powertrain is the same from the California T with a 3.9L V8 Turbo, but with software calibration, new pistons, con-rods and a new intake system allowing the engine to increase its power by 40hp, resulting with 590hp and 760Nm of torque.
And now for the first time on a GT Ferrari, the third generation electronic rear differential (E-Diff3) has been adopted and integrated with the F1-Trac. And that’s where it will make a huge difference between it and the California. That will not just improve mechanical grip, but it will unleash a lot more capabilities for this car. An Electric Power Steering unit will be added, reducing the steering ratio by 7%.
The magnetorheological (magne-torheo-logical) damping system (SCM-E) has been upgrated with dual-coil technology, reducing body roll, and deliver higher driving comfort.
After going through all these specs, it makes it sound like Ferrari has corrected a mistake, but if that “mistake” was the highest selling Ferrari in 70 years, then the Portofino should definitely be breaking new numbers.
