Ferrari’s latest entry-level convertible Sportster, the Portofino has been launched in India for a price of Rs 3.50 crore, ex-showroom. The Sportster replaces the California T, one of the most popular modern-day Ferraris as the entry-level GT car. Being brought to India as a completely built unit, the Ferrari Portofino competes against the likes of the Aston Martin DB11 Volante or the Bentley Continental GT convertible.
It is a typical Ferrari, low-slung, hunkered, raked and aggressive. The large air dam covers most of the fascia flanked by two fluted air intakes while the kinked headlamps remind us of the 812. The contoured hood with the flush air intakes, the slits on the fender and the flowing lines are pure magic from Pininfarina. The single round tail lamps hark back to the 90s but the carbon-fibre rear splitter and quad exhaust give it the modern touch.
Under the hood of the Portofino is the all-new 3.9-litre twin-turbocharged petrol V8 that delivers 592bhp of power and 760Nm of torque to the rear wheels through the F1 dual-clutch seven-speed gearbox. It shoots off to 100kmph in 3.5 seconds with top speed beyond 320kmph. The hard-top convertible can switch the roof on or off within 20 seconds at speed up to 60kmph.
Inside, the Ferrari Portofino is luxurious with its neatly crafted cabin. The bucket seats contour perfectly to fit and the dashboard is loaded up with modern tech. The TFT screen for the instrument cluster, the infotainment display in the centre console and the neatly machined buttons and switches make it look and feel top-class. There are two little seats in the second row as well, but those can be strictly reserved for excess baggage.
