The Ferrari Portofino is here, going on show in Byron Bay. The new V8 GT can rocket to 200km/h in 10.8 seconds or for the saner among us, 100km/h in 3.6 seconds. As you can see this is a hardtop convertible, with two seats up front and two in the back for your bikini-clad girls.
The Portofino has shed some 80 kilos while ramping up the power. The 3.9-litre turbocharged V8 produces 441kW @7500rpm and 760Nm across a spread of 3000rpm to 5250rpm, so 29kW and 5Nm up on the California T.
The Portofino features Ferrari’s claimed zero turbo lag, push the throttle and full-blown acceleration will commence in under a second. Ferrari has gone down the path of creating somewhat of an artificial, if not glorious soundtrack. Via the use of valve’s, you can set a Comfort or Sport Manettino position, one will alert the neighbours, the other will have them think they’re under attack.
Compared to the California T, the Portofino is said to be 35 per cent stiffer, a good thing in the convertible world. The interior looks pretty damn amazing with a sizable 10.25-inch screen while the passenger also has access to an optional and still hefty 8.8-inch display. Magnesium is used in the seat structure and generally a whole suite of handcrafted materials coating the cabin.
Handling wise the Ferrari Portofino becomes the first Prancing Horse GT to feature Electric Power Steering. If I get a drive (it’s been awhile Ferrari!), I’ll let you know if that’s a good thing however there may be more than a few purists shouting from the rooftops about this.
Having that hardtop really maintains the whole coupe thing when it’s up, too many material roofs in my view ruin the overall intended shape.
Owning a Ferrari comes with more than attention seeking intentions. Buy one and you’ll score complimentary, as in FREE, scheduled maintenance for the first seven years. That benefit can be transferred to future owners.
Ferrari is also expanding the Australian dealer network, with three new sites in Sydney, Melbourne, and the Gold Coast. If you add in our friends across the ditch, there are now nine in our region.
So will this be yet another classic? When I saw one at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show I must say the thought did enter my head. But you’ll need to fork out at least $398,888 to find out!
Chris was EFTM’s Motoring Editor for many years, driving everything from your entry level hatch to the latest Luxury cars through to the Rolls Royce.
He has been in the media for 20 years, produced three Olympic games broadcasts, attending Beijing 2008 & London 2012.
Strangely he owns a Toyota Camry Hybrid, he defiantly rejects the knockers.
Chris is married to Gillian and resides in Sydney’s North West. They have Sam the English Springer Spaniel and Felix the Burmese cat to keep them company, and recently welcomed baby Henry to the family.
He has now left EFTM, and writes freelance and runs his own Facebook Page “Bowen’s Garage”
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