Once upon a time in the heart of Italy. Enzo Ferrari (1898–1988) founded his own racing team in Modena and later also began building sports cars for the road. The hour of birth of a myth.
The almost always red “cavallino rampante”, named after the rearing horse in the logo, is like a modern incarnation of the white horse on which the prince in shimmering armor hurries to the fair maiden. But anyway, the Ferrari portfolio is like the fairy tale collection of the Brothers Grimm: Each model in itself is a fantastic story.
Drive: 3.9 V8 turbo gasoline engine, 620 PS (456 kW), 760 Nm @ 3000–5750 rpm, 8-speed automatic dual clutch, rear-wheel drive
Driving performance: 0-100 km / h 3.45 s, 0-100 km / h in 9.8 s, top over 320 km / h
Dimensions: L / W / H 4.59 / 1.94 / 1.32 m, 1664 kg, trunk 292 l
Consumption: not yet known
Price: from around 236,950 francs
Between myth and reality
Now Ferrari is retelling its most popular fairy tale, so to speak, the story of the bestseller Portofino. However, the new, supplementary M does not stand for fairy tales, but for “modificata” (Eng. “Changed”) and shows that Ferrari has revised its coupé-convertible launched in 2017. A particle filter was needed, because the emissions regulations do not stop at a myth.
But when a fairy tale is told again, it has to be more exciting: The Ferrari engineers get 20 hp more out of the double-charged V8. The Portofino M has 620 hp (456 kW) and 760 Nm of torque. The 7-speed automatic will be replaced by the 8-speed version from the SF90 Stradale. This is six kilos lighter and more efficient thanks to the additional gear. Visually, the M can be recognized by the new front air inlets and slimmer rear diffuser.
Ferrari
Why always fast?
Now we slip into the main role of this fairy tale and slide into the driver’s seat. The brown leather seats hug our bodies perfectly. Open the roof? 14 seconds doesn’t sound like sporty, but okay for a folding hardtop. We are rather puzzled that the engine has to be on because otherwise the battery will weaken. Red button on the steering wheel – start! In view of the wonderful sound of the V8, we almost forget the small drawback.
It is completely forgotten as soon as the wind blows in your hair while we cruise on German country roads in Bavaria to the fairytale castle Neuschwanstein. Of course, the M is fast and sprints to 100 km / h in 3.5 seconds and to 200 km / h in 9.8 seconds. But this open-top Gran Turismo doesn’t need a racetrack to be fun. In addition, winding roads are sufficient, which we follow precisely thanks to the ingenious aerodynamics and clever driving dynamics electronics.
An expensive trio
Despite all the dynamics, the design is not as extreme as an F8 or SF90. So we drive more relaxed, because the Portofino is clearer and easier to handle than the wilder brothers. That makes the Portofino M an everyday Ferrari for those who can afford it. We ignore the high consumption and small trunk (292 liters). That’s why you don’t buy a Ferrari.
But sports car, convertible and everyday car in the dream category all in one has its price. The Ferrari Portofino M costs from CHF 236,950. Typical fairy tales: it’s too good to be true for everyone.