La Bella Macchina

The Ferrari Portofino combines scintillating performance and stunning looks with genuine usability

- Chris Pickering

Prod the starter button on the Ferrari Portofino’s steering wheel and something rather wonderful happens. For a split second everything remains calm, but then the stillness is broken by the 3.9-litre twin turbo V8 bursting into life. In a world of synthesised exhaust notes, the Ferrari’s is the real deal; rich, cultured and reassuringly expensive.

What marks this particular Ferrari out, however, is that it’s designed to be used every day. There’s a usable boot, a pair of small seats in the back and a folding metal hard top that promises to combine the indulgence of a convertible with the refinement of a coupé.

UNDER THE BONNET

The Portofino is based on the old California T, but the changes under the skin are significant. For a start, the power output is up by 40PS, taking the total to an impressive 600PS (592bhp in old money). That’s enough to give the Portofino true supercar pace, with a 0-to-62mph time of 3.5 seconds and a top speed in excess of 199mph.