Overview
Ferrari unveiled the Portofino in 2017, with its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show, as the successor to the California T. It’s named after the Italian fishing village on the Ligurian coast, a glamorous seaside spot that suits the car’s relaxed, stylish character. The Ferrari Design Centre reshaped the California’s body into something sleeker and more athletic, with a lower nose, slimmer headlights, a more defined tail and a folding metal roof that keeps the lines clean with the top up or down. It looks more modern and more focused than the car it replaced, and it’s easy to see why it was popular with owners who wanted a Ferrari for weekends away.
Engine and Performance
Behind the front axle sits a 3.9-litre twin-turbocharged V8 producing about 600 PS (441 kW) and 760 Nm of torque, which is a good step up from the California T. It pulls strongly from low revs and feels very quick in everyday driving, with a deep, rich exhaust note that gets sharper near the 7,500 rpm limit. Power goes through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, and there is no manual option. The Portofino reaches 100 km/h in about 3.5 seconds and tops out at over 320 km/h (199 mph).
Chassis and Handling
The Portofino uses a new aluminium chassis that Ferrari says is stiffer and lighter than the California T’s, with about 35 percent more torsional rigidity. It was the first Ferrari with electric power steering in a V8 model, and it also has an electronic differential, magnetorheological dampers and the manettino dial. The result is a car that feels sharper and more precise than its predecessor, yet it stays calm and comfortable on a long road. It’s no track weapon, but it’s quick, balanced and a pleasure on a good road.
Interior and Comfort
The cabin is relaxed and well finished, with fine leather, a driver-focused dashboard and a central touchscreen. The Portofino keeps the two small rear seats of the California, which suit children or extra luggage, and the boot is a usable size even with the roof folded. It’s a car you can use every day, and the folding hardtop gives it both coupe-like refinement and open-air appeal.
Production and Legacy
Production ran from 2017 to 2020. In 2020, Ferrari replaced it with the Portofino M, which had a revised 8-speed gearbox, a 620 PS output and a few updated features. The later Roma has since taken over much of the same ground. The Portofino is regarded as an approachable entry point to Ferrari ownership, with strong performance, real practicality and a very good V8 engine.
