Ferrari Portofino M

Ferrari Portofino M

The Ferrari Portofino M, introduced in 2021 as an evolution of the original 2018 Portofino, is Ferrari's entry-level grand touring convertible, though calling any 620-horsepower Ferrari 'entry-level' somewhat distorts the meaning of the phrase. The 'M' designation stands for 'Modificata,' a term with deep roots in Ferrari's racing history, where it signified a car that had been upgraded and improved based on track experience.

The Portofino M succeeded the original Portofino, which itself had replaced the California T in 2018. The lineage traces back to Ferrari's desire to offer a front-engined, retractable hardtop convertible that combined the performance expected of a Ferrari with the everyday usability and open-air pleasure of a true grand tourer. In this mission, the Portofino M succeeds admirably.

The engine is a development of Ferrari's award-winning F154 V8 family, a 3.9-liter twin-turbocharged unit producing 620 horsepower at 7,500 rpm and 561 lb-ft of torque. Compared to the original Portofino, the M version gains 20 horsepower and, crucially, Ferrari's new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission, replacing the previous 7-speed unit. The new gearbox offers faster shifts, smoother low-speed behavior, and a wider spread of ratios that improves both acceleration and cruising refinement. A new Manettino setting, 'Race,' is also available for the first time on this model, complementing the existing Wet, Comfort, and Sport modes.

The retractable hardtop is one of the Portofino M's defining features. It folds and stows in just 14 seconds at speeds up to 40 km/h, transforming the car from a sleek, weather-proof coupe into an open-air roadster. With the roof up, the cabin is remarkably quiet and well-insulated; with it down, the wind management is sophisticated enough to allow conversation at highway speeds without shouting. The electric rear window, deployable independently of the roof, acts as a wind deflector when down and allows the flat-plane V8's exhaust note to fill the cabin when desired.

The chassis shares its aluminum spaceframe construction with the Roma, extensively revised for the convertible application with additional stiffening to compensate for the absence of a fixed roof. The result is a structure that feels solid and composed over rough surfaces, without the flex or scuttle shake that afflicts many open-top cars. The suspension employs magnetorheological dampers that adapt continuously to road conditions, and the Side Slip Control system ensures that the considerable power is deployed progressively and predictably.

Inside, the Portofino M features Ferrari's latest dashboard design with a fully digital instrument cluster, central touchscreen, and optional passenger display. The 2+2 configuration provides small rear seats that, combined with a 292-liter trunk, make the car genuinely suitable for weekend trips. With the roof retracted, trunk space is reduced but remains usable for soft luggage.

The Portofino M is not a car that will dominate Fiorano lap time discussions. It is not intended to. Instead, it excels in the role for which it was designed: a beautifully engineered, devastatingly fast, and supremely elegant open-air grand tourer for those who want to experience the best of what Ferrari offers without the compromises inherent in a pure sports car. On a warm evening, with the roof retracted, the V8 murmuring contentedly at low revs along a coastal road, the Portofino M makes a compelling case for being the Ferrari that brings the most pure, uncomplicated joy.