Three years after its grand reveal at the IAA Frankfurt Motorshow (check our report here), Ferrari just facelifted the Portofino. Offering its customers a more powerful alternative to the upcoming Roma, it should revamp its sales. The Ferrari Portofino M brings back the Modificata badge used last time on the 575M and the 512 before that. Text: Mickael B. © Photos: Ferrari ©
The Portofino was more masculine than its predecessors.
Succeeding to the California and California T, the Portofino was more elegant, more powerful and more masculine than its predecessor. Engined with a tamed version of Maranello’s 3.9 liter twin turbo V8 from the 488 GTB, final output was 600 horsepower. It was paired to a seven speed dual clutch gearbox. Plenty at the time, specially for a Grand Tourism Roadster like the Portofino. Not so impressive when every other high performance Sedan puts out similar figures by nowadays standards.
0 to 200 km/h is over a second quicker on the Modificata
Thus, the prancing horse brand just revised power now with 20 more horsepower, final output culminating at 620 horsepower. In addition, the Ferrari Portofino M gets the latest 8-speed dual clutch gearbox, and promises even faster acceleration. The 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) is swallowed in 3.45 seconds. 200 km/h (124 mph) is torched in 9.8 seconds – one full second quicker! Sadly though, top speed remains the same reaching over 320 km/h (200 mph).
Race mode, comfort features and driving assistances to emphasize the GT experience.
This new Ferrari Portofino M has multiple aesthetical changes. From its more agressive front and rear bumpers to a new hardtop, I think it looks even better than before. The best improvements though of this Modificata for its future owners are not in the subtle design and performance differences. They will really appreciate the new Manettino, which finally includes the Race mode, for a more involving drive. And on longer journeys, the new comfort features such as the heated and ventilated seats, and driving assistances will emphasize their Grand Tourism experience.
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