Ferrari Portofino: The sunshine-and-storm GT I’d happily daily
I’ve spent enough dawns in fast convertibles to know when a car gets grand touring right. The Ferrari Portofino does. It’s the rare Ferrari that treats weekday commutes and weekend switchbacks with the same respect—roof up or down. If you’re cross-shopping a Ferrari Portofino for sale or still torn between the Roma vs. Portofino, this is the one that makes the case with charm, numbers, and a proper sense of occasion.
Living with the Ferrari Portofino
First, the basics. The Ferrari Portofino starts around $230,000, which—yes—sounds like a lot until you realize what you’re getting: a hardtop convertible GT with a 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 that wakes up your neighborhood in the most civilized way possible. The standard Portofino made 591 hp and 561 lb-ft; the later Portofino M bumped that to 612 hp with the same tidal wave of torque. Ferrari quotes 0–60 mph in the mid-threes and a top speed just shy of 200 mph. Feels honest from the driver’s seat.
What got me immediately was the duality. In Comfort mode, the steering’s light, the magnetorheological dampers calm the bumps, and the exhaust keeps things neighborly. In Sport or Race, the Portofino gets that elastic Ferrari front end—pointy but never twitchy—and you can lean on the carbon-ceramic brakes all day without smelling regret. I ran it across some gritty, broken tarmac one morning and, honestly, expected it to chatter. It didn’t. Bumpy-road mode works like aspirin for bad asphalt.
Ferrari Portofino interior: tech, comfort, and those small quirks
Inside, the Portofino delivers that tailored-Italian look: stitched leather sweeping across the dash, carbon fiber in the right places, and seats that do long miles without complaint. Ferrari’s infotainment has come a long way—Apple CarPlay helps—and the passenger display is a party trick your co-pilot will actually use. A few owners mentioned to me the system can lag when the cabin is cold; I saw it once as well, then it behaved the rest of the trip.
Practicality? Surprisingly decent. The tiny rear seats are best for kids or handbags (or, if you’re like my mate Luca, a small dog named Turbo), and the trunk swallows a weekend’s worth of soft bags with the roof up. With the roof stowed, pack light. That said, it’s quiet enough at highway speeds to hear the kids arguing in the back—if you insist on using the rear seats as nature intended.
Ferrari Portofino performance: numbers that matter
- Engine: 3.9L twin-turbo V8
- Power: 591 hp (Portofino) / 612 hp (Portofino M)
- Torque: 561 lb-ft (760 Nm)
- 0–60 mph: about 3.5 seconds (claimed)
- Top speed: 199 mph (claimed)
- Brakes: Standard carbon-ceramic
The soundtrack is classic modern Ferrari: a turbine surge low down, then a clean, metallic tenor as the revs build. With the roof down, it’s a rolling amphitheater. With the roof up, it’s civilized—like driving in slippers that just so happen to do 199.
Make your Ferrari Portofino feel truly yours
Ferrari owners tend to be particular (guilty). After a couple of beach runs, I wanted better protection without tacky rubber. That’s where the custom floor mats from AutoWin make sense. They’re built to match the Portofino’s cabin materials and fit like OE. If you’re keeping an eye on resale (you should), clean, protected carpets matter more than you think.
Elevate your Ferrari Portofino with custom floor mats
Pick your finish to match your car’s vibe:
- Nappa Leather: Soft, upscale, and a seamless match to the Portofino’s hides.
- Carbon Fiber Leather: Mirrors the cabin’s carbon accents—sporty without shouting.
- Sheepskin: Plush comfort if you’re chasing that lounge-on-wheels feel.
- Alcantara: Durable, grippy, and properly premium for a daily-driven GT.
Ferrari Portofino vs. rivals: where the GT lands
Car | Body | Power | 0–60 mph | Top Speed | Character |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ferrari Portofino / Portofino M | Hardtop Convertible | 591–612 hp | ~3.5 s | 199 mph | Graceful GT with a playful edge |
Ferrari Roma | Coupe | 612 hp | ~3.4 s | 199 mph | Sharper, more focused, no drop-top |
Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet | Soft-top | 640 hp | ~2.7 s | 205 mph | Brutally quick, clinical precision |
Mercedes-AMG SL63 | Soft-top | 577 hp | ~3.5 s | ~196 mph | All-weather muscle, plush tech |
Aston Martin DB11 Volante (V8) | Soft-top | 503 hp | ~4.1 s | ~187 mph | Elegant cruiser with a soulful growl |
Figures are manufacturer claims or typical test results. The Portofino sits in the sweet spot: more romantic than the German sledgehammers, easier to live with than some British exotica, and—crucially—still very much a Ferrari when the road opens up.
Performance and everyday usefulness combined
The Portofino’s hardtop gives you proper coupe quiet when you want it and open-sky drama when you don’t. Roof operation is quick enough for red lights, and the cabin stays tidy even at highway speeds. Rear-wheel drive, credible driver modes, and those carbon-ceramic brakes make it feel secure when the weather turns. Safety kit is modern and unobtrusive. It’s a supercar you can hand to the valet without a lecture—and then enjoy a calm drive home after dinner. I wasn’t sure at first; after a week, I got it.
Final thoughts: why the Ferrari Portofino still charms
The Ferrari Portofino is more than a beautiful badge. It’s an authentic grand tourer that blends pace with politeness, style with substance. If you’re eyeing a Ferrari Portofino for sale—or lucky enough to have one in your garage—dial in the details and make it yours. Enhancing it with AutoWin’s custom floor mats is an easy, high-impact upgrade that keeps the cabin looking fresh long after the honeymoon miles.
Ferrari Portofino FAQ
- How much is a Ferrari Portofino? Expect around $230,000+ when new, with used examples varying by year, miles, and options.
- Is the Ferrari Portofino discontinued? The Portofino M has effectively been succeeded by the Roma Spider for new orders. You’ll find strong availability on the pre-owned market.
- How fast is the Ferrari Portofino? Ferrari claims up to 199 mph, with 0–60 mph in roughly 3.5 seconds.
- How many seats are in a Portofino? It’s a 2+2. The rear seats are best for kids or short trips, but they’re useful in a pinch.
- Does the Portofino have ventilated seats? Ventilated seats weren’t offered; you’ll typically find heated options and a neck-warmer setup for top-down drives.