Automologist KEVIN brings us the latest on Ferrari’s super convertible replacement.
Ferrari will unveil its new convertible model at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month. Named after a famous resort town in Italy, the Ferrari Portofino is a V8-powered beast that will replace the current California T.
The Portofino will be powered by an improved version of the same turbocharged V8 engine used in the California T. The new 3.9-liter V8 will spew out 591bhp, up from 552bhp, thanks to new pistons and connecting rods, a new intake system design, a new one-piece-cast exhaust header, software tweaks and a new variable turbo boost management. The torque stays the same at 755 Nm at 4,750 rpm. Just like the California, the Portofino’s drivetrain comes with a 7-speed dual transmission, much like the outgoing model. It has been rumoured that the car’s top speed will be about 320 kilometres an hour.
Ferrari claims that the new Portofino’s engine will provide better responsiveness and improved fuel economy. Even Ferrari is now getting into the whole efficiency game, albeit I don’t think its customers are the type to concern themselves too much with fuel consumption.
The new chassis on the new Ferrari Portofino weighs significantly less in comparison to the California T it replaces. With extensive use of modern production technologies, all the chassis components have been redesigned with weight reduction in mind, without compromising its torsional rigidity.
Having to launch itself from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds, the Ferrari Portofino is the most powerful convertible with a retractable hard top. It also boasts a roomy boot and generous cockpit space plus two seats in the rear. Ferrari also promises that the engine’s sound, with its characteristic snarl, has been enhanced so that it can be better enjoyed with the roof down, for its drivers and passengers.
The California T was launched in Malaysia at 1.7 million ringgit – I wonder what kind of price tag this would carry…
What do you think?
