Italian Supercar brand Ferrari has unveiled the new Portofino M in a digital event, a first in the Maranello brand’s 70 years of history. The Ferrari Portofino M is the evolution of the Italian marque’s 2+ GT Spider, the Portofino. The ‘M’ in the moniker stands for ‘Modificata’ which in Ferrari nomenclature refers to cars that have undergone changes for boosted performance.
The Ferrari Portofino M comes with a redesigned powertrain, a brand-new eight-speed gearbox and a five-position Manettino, a Ferrari Formula 1 inspired dial selector on the steering wheel that comes with Race Mode on the Portofino M and is an absolute first in the brand’s GT Spider line-up. The combination of the above enables the Portofino evolution to be positioned as a GT performance car with exceptional agility while providing versatility of everyday use and driving pleasure.
The Ferrari Portofino M is powered by a 3855cc turbocharged 90-degree V8 engine optimised to develop 620 PS of power and 760 Nm of torque, 20 PS more than the Portofino and matched to a new 8-speed DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission) replacing the 7-speed gearbox. The Portofino M also features a Clutch-In-Oil-Bath that has a 20% smaller module than the conventional dry clutch and delivers 35% higher torque delivery. The 8-speed unit has been installed on an open-top Ferrari with the wet-clutch architecture for the first time.
In terms of vehicle dynamics, Portofino M introduces the five-position Manettino with the aim to further enhance the handling and traction through the addition of Race Mode. The Race Mode is backed by the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer, and focuses on fun and maximising driving pleasure.
In terms of design and styling, the Ferrari Portofino M comes with sportier more aggressive design, with a “Sense of Harmony” inside out. The Portofino features a sharp front end with a low and wide stance, a muscular bonnet design, smooth-flowing lines on the side that integrate the gills, a muscular rear wheel arch integrating the rounded combination taillamp unit and quad exhaust pipes on the rear apron.
On the inside, the Portofino M features sporty flatbottomed steering with integrated controls, five-position dial selector, shift lights, a central rev-counter with yellow backlit, flanked by two digital displays, a multilayered dashboard with rounded air-con vents, a widescreen infotainment display, controls on a bridge in the central tunnel, contoured seats, a passenger display integrated into the dashboard fascia and ‘Portofino M’ badge on the passenger side dash area.
The Portofino M retains its predecessor’s twin soul and comes with the Retractable Hard Top (RHT). The Portofino M can be described as an authentic coupé with its top closed and a genuine spider when it is open. The cars compact dimensions also make it ideal for all occasions.