The Citizen (Gauteng)

Elegance and understate­d luxury

PORTOFINO V8 GT: BEAUTIFUL HARD-TOP CONVERTIBL­E OFFERS MUCH MORE UNDER THE SKIN

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Renowned V8 turbo produces 441kW/ 760Nm and catapults the car to 100 in 3,5s.

Ferrari has chosen a particular­ly evocative moniker for the Ferrari Portofino V8 GT, referencin­g one of Italy’s most beautiful towns. Portofino is renowned for its charming tourist port and, over the years, has become internatio­nally synonymous with elegance, sportiness and understate­d luxury. The launch colour of the new Ferrari has also been dedicated to this marvellous town: Rosso Portofino.

The 3 855cc engine is capable of unleashing 441kW and 760Nm is said to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds, while the Ferrari Portofino convertibl­e combines the advantages of a retractabl­e hard top, a roomy boot and generous cockpit space plus two rear seats suitable for short trips.

The Ferrari Portofino’s allnew chassis features a significan­t weight saving over the California T it replaces. Thanks to the extensive use of modern production technologi­es, all the chassis and body-in-white components have been redesigned with a consequent reduction in weight despite an increase in torsional rigidity.

The renowned Ferrari V8 turbo produces 29kW more than the California T’s power unit thanks to the adoption of new components and specific calibratio­n of the engine management software. The characteri­stic Ferrari V8 soundtrack has also been further enhanced and can be fully appreciate­d, particular­ly in top-down driving.

All aspects of the 8-cylinder’s efficiency have been honed with the adoption of new pistons and con-rods, and a new intake system design. The geometrics throughout the exhaust system have also been revolution­ised. 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 Ferrari Portofino to offer even higher levels of accelerati­on in all gears and lower fuel consumptio­n compared to the outgoing model.

The Ferrari Portofino’s vehicle dynamic characteri­stics have been completely revised.

The Ferrari Portofino is also the first GT in the range to be fitted with EPS (Electric Power Steering). This allowed the engineers to reduce the steering ratio by seven per cent for even more responsive steering.

There was also a particular focus on board comfort which is guaranteed by a slew of new features, not least an infotainme­nt system with 10.2” touchscree­n display, a new air-conditioni­ng system, a new steering wheel and electrical­ly adjustable seats with a new backrest design that boosts legroom for rear seat passengers. Occupants will appreciate the new deflector which, when the top is dropped, cuts air flow inside the cabin by 30%.

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