Ferrari Portofino: The new “entry level” Prancing Horse
Ferrari is no longer California dreamin’, and the sports-car manufacturer’s head is now firmly back in Italy. The all-new 2018 Ferrari Portofino is the formal replacement to the Ferrari California T. Cribbing its name from a small port town on the Italian Riviera, the Portofino will serve as Ferrari’s entry-level model.
Like its predecessor, the Portofino is a convertible with a retractable hardtop. Measuring 0.6 inch longer and 1.0 inch wider than the California T, the Portofino is blessed with handsome proportions and aggressive styling. LED headlights and an angry-looking front fascia work with a better-integrated rear profile to help the Portofino avoid the awkward proportions that have plagued the California since its debut as a 2009 model.
Like the California T, the Portofino is powered by a frontmounted twin-turbocharged 3.9-liter V-8, but with a new intake system, redesigned pistons, revamped connecting rods, an improved exhaust system, and new engine management software. These measures allow the high-revving V-8 to produce an estimated 591 horsepower and 561 lb-ft of torque, gains of 39 horses and 4 lb-ft. Ferrari says the Portofino will make its way from zero to 62 mph in just 3.5 seconds. That may be a conservative claim, considering our test of the California T returned a zero-to-60-mph time of 3.3 seconds. Ferrari says the new model will top out at “over” 199 mph, but doesn’t say how much over. That’s 3 mph better than its claim for the California T.
Ferrari says the Portofino’s all-new chassis is both stiffer and lighter than the California T’s. It also boasts the latest iteration of the company’s electronically controlled limited-slip differential (dubbed E-Diff3), an improved magnetorheological adaptivedamping system, and an electrically assisted power-steering system.
The Portofino also includes a host of comfort and convenience items such as a 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 18-way power seats, and a power-retractable hardtop that now is able to be operated at low speeds rather than only at a stop. A pair of vestigial rear seats remain and are said to be roomier than the almost useless units offered in the California T.
Ferrari will formally unveil the 2018 Portofino at the Frankfurt auto show in September. While an on-sale date and pricing have yet to be announced, expect Ferrari to charge at least $205,000 for the Portofino.