2018 Ferrari Portofino review
- Stunning V8 engine
- Drop-dead looks
- Pleasant top-down experience
- Engine can drone at low speeds
- It's not a lightweight Ferrari
- An affordable Ferrari still isn't cheap
“Versatile”, “roomy” and “generous” are not descriptors you typically associate with a new Ferrari.
It’s usually about driving passion, top speeds and noise, all the sorts of things that have defined the brand since 1947.
But the Portofino is no ordinary Ferrari, hence the change of pace for a company that sells on speed.
At $399,888 it’s the most affordable car from the Maranello-based brand, although, clearly, affordability is a relative term.
As one of the bigger sellers (again, we’re talking relatively here) it’s also a multi-tasker: part-time family car, sun-seeking drop-top and weekend getaway machine. A special car not only for special occasions.
And it has to live up to the yellow prancing horse badge that has been around for more than 70 years. So, it must be quick.
As the replacement for the California T, it’s also charged with continuing to attract new buyers to the brand, trying to convince those sizing-up a Porsche or Aston Martin that it’s worth shooting for red.
Ferrari Australia chief Herbert Appleroth says the Portofino is “absolutely a daily driver” and the most important Ferrari to arrive in a decade.
“Like the California 10 years ago it’s a great opportunity for us to welcome new Ferrari people to the family,” he says.
No pressure, then.
Perhaps most importantly, the Portofino must convince the Ferrari faithful that it’s worthy too.
From California to Portofino, the name has made a culture-shock journey across the Atlantic, but the formula for Ferrari’s entry-level model is unchanged: folding hard-top roof, V8 engine up front and 2+2 seating configuration.
Visually, though, the Portofino is a vast leap forward, with more aggressive proportions and sleek, svelte lines.
From the aluminium architecture that helps shave 80kg to the graceful body – which was inspired by the Daytona of the 1960s - with its carefully crafted scallops and curves, the Portofino has the requisite head turning looks.
Press the red start/stop button on what is a bustling, button-laden steering wheel and the short but brash bark suggests it means business.
The 3.9-litre twin turbo V8 is the main carryover component from the California T, albeit with more power (441kW) and torque (760Nm) to boost acceleration.
It’s quick; able to hit 100km/h in 3.5 seconds on the way to a top speed north of 320km/h.
But it does it without the ferocity of a 488, a car Ferrari markets as a true sports car, rather than a grand tourer.
Blame that partly on the weight. Sure, it’s lighter than before – and respectably light compared with other go-fast four-seater drop-tops - but it’s still nearly 200kg heavier than the iconic mid-engined 488.
Ferrari is also proud of the efforts gone into the engine sound, in part thanks to the single piece exhaust manifold and a dual-mode muffler designed to transition from mild to wild.
But the deep drone and shift from sedate to brash is overly pronounced and ever-present in even gentle driving. Nice for the first few minutes but testing over time.
Blame it partly on the low rev pull of the V8.
There’s so much torque available from as little as 1200rpm that much of the daily driving can be achieved on light throttle applications and at low revs. The transmission, too, is programmed to leverage that torque, quickly darting into taller gears; it’ll often pluck seventh by the time it’s doing 50km/h, which is good for relaxed cruising, not for the aural accompaniment.
Throw in generous suspension travel and one of Ferrari’s softer tunes – perhaps in part so as not to accentuate the mild flexing in the body – and the Portofino surprises with the way it ambles through the Italian countryside.
But there is an angry side to the Portofino, and things make more sense when you drive it harder, the V8 bellowing towards its 7500rpm rev limit. It’s an intoxicating mix and one that gets you on the wrong side of the law quickly.
Plus, the seven-speed auto is beautifully in tune with the engine, bursting past the torque band for more excitement. Few engines rev with the gusto and excitement of Ferrari’s turbocharged V8.
Diving into a corner under brakes – the carbon ceramics have a firm pedal feel and excellent retardation – coaxes some wonderful race-like downchanges, too, the engine singing proudly as it expertly blips the throttle.
Powering out of the corner perfectly showcases the efforts gone in to ensuring the engine’s grunt makes it to the road.
The electronic differential instantly apportions drive from left to right, the traction control aiding seamlessly in finding the perfect mix of adhesion and acceleration, albeit occasionally finding the squirmy limits of the 285mm-wide rear Pirelli P Zeros. Ferrari has again nailed the electronic aids with the Portofino.
Inside, the Portfoino has a familiar Ferrari flavour, from the steering wheel to the circular air vents and honeycomb dash treatment. As with the GTC4Lusso and upcoming 812 Superfast there’s also an optional passenger touchscreen displaying everything from navigation commands to an instrument cluster.
New magnesium seat frames make for thinner front pews, prompting Ferrari to claim there is 5cm more rear legroom, which makes you wonder how anyone could fit in the back of a California. It really is kids-only stuff out back.
But the redesigned folding hard-top works well, raising and lowering in 14 seconds at up to 40km/h.
Roof down, too, demonstrates the efforts Ferrari has gone to in minimising buffeting. It’s a thoroughly pleasant way to travel, even well beyond 100km/h.
And, for all those practical Ferrari fans the boot can take three airline cabin bags, at least with the roof up.
Ultimately there’s plenty of California in the thinking behind the Portofino.
But it comes with a harder edge and sexier swagger that adds spark while continuing its play-it-safe ways.
It may not appeal to those who gravitate towards the ferocity of a 488, but the Portofino is a multifaceted – and fast - introduction to Ferrari life.
2018 Ferrari Portofino Price and specifications
On sale: September 2018
Price: $399,888
Engine: 3.9-litre twin turbo V8 petrol
Power: 441kW at 7500rpm
Torque: 760Nm at 3000-5250rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch automatic, rear-wheel drive
Fuel use: 10.5L/100km
Ferrari sees Red
You don’t have to be an enthusiast to realise red is the classic colour of Ferrari.
Those lucky enough to go for a tour of the factory – reserved for owners, would-be owners and sponsors of the brand – will notice more than a third of the cars crawling along the production line are red.
That percentage of Ferraris that are red has fallen significantly since the 1990s, though, when most were red; these days silvers, greys, blacks, whites and the occasional yellow are also popular.
And, while there are more than 100 different red hues available when you go creating your Ferrari, the Portofino adds one to the mix.
With some depth to the finish but plenty of vibrancy, the aptly named Rosso Portofino is one more to choose from for those who have decided their Ferrari must be red.