2019 Ferrari Portofino

Overview

With its hardtop in place, the Portofino is a high-powered Italian sports coupe, but lower that power-operated roof and it transforms into an open-air tourer that'll turn even more heads. Although the Portofino is technically Ferrari's entry-level model, prices start at about $215,000.

Engines, Ride, and Handling

Behind the Portofino's sinister grin lies a 591-hp twin-turbo 3.9-liter V-8 that gives this prancing horse its legs. Ferrari estimates a zero-to-60-mph time of 3.5 seconds, but we expect that figure to be rather conservative given the fact that the heavier and less powerful model it replaces—the Ferrari California T—managed a 3.3-second result at our test track. The Portofino is an adept driver's car, with steering that is light and pleasantly communicative; tail-happy shenanigans are easy to instigate, while its standard carbon-ceramic brakes help bring the Portofino back into line if such antics are no longer desired. Other performance gear includes an electronic limited-slip differential and an adaptive suspension.

Interior and Technology

The Portofino offers luxuries such as leather seats and a 10.2-inch infotainment display; rear seats are standard but aren't humane places to park passengers. The cabin is well-suited for sporty driving with a flat-bottomed steering wheel featuring integrated ignition and drive-mode switches, a partially digital gauge display with a large central-mounted tachometer, and simple secondary controls. To provide passengers with a few extra thrills, an optional secondary gauge display tucks in between folds in the dashboard to the right of the infotainment screen to show info such as speed, G-force, and engine revs.