Ferrari has revealed its first new car after resuming the operations following a temporary closure due to the COVID-19 global crisis. It is called the Portofino Modificata or Portofino M for short.
The term ‘Modificata’ is Italian for “modified”, but it is not any simple modification that you can do at a shop near you. There are some fundamental differences between the Portofino and the Portofino M.
As for the distinguishing factors on the exterior, there’s a restyled front bumper with larger intakes, a new slit on the front wheel arch that aligns with the side outlet, and a restyled rear diffuser that houses a new exhaust system. The diffuser can be had in carbon fibre. Rounding off the exterior looks are new diamond-finished wheels.
Except for that Portofino M badge on the passenger side, the cockpit looks largely similar. Feature list includes a 10.25-inch touchscreen at the centre, dual TFT displays in the instrument cluster, and a bunch of options that include a 7-inch passenger display; three-level ventilation for the seat and backrest; neck warmer; advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) such as Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go function; Predictive Emergency Brake System; Blind Spot Monitoring; Lane Departure Warning; Traffic Sign Recognition; Surround View with 3D display; and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
Fundamental differences
The 3.8-litre (3,855 cc) V8 twin-turbo pumps out 620 hp (456 kW) at 7,500 rpm, which is about 20 hp more than the Portofino, while the peak torque will remain the same at 760 Nm (560.5 lb-ft). To extract more power, Ferrari engineers used new cam profiles to increase valve lift and optimize combustion chamber filling. Also, a speed sensor was added to the turbocharger assembly to measure the turbine revolutions, which allowed the maximum rpm of the turbine to be increased by 5,000 rpm. And, in order to comply with Euro-6D emissions standards, a Gasoline Particulate Filter has been included in the exhaust system.
While the V8 in the Portofino has been hooked up to a 7-speed DCT, the one in the Portofino M gets an 8-speed gearbox which Ferrari says, differs from the SF90 Stradale’s 8-speed gearbox in its longer gear ratios and the introduction of a mechanical reverse gear. Remember, in the SF90 Stradale, the front electric motors perform the task of reversing the vehicle.
Like all the other turbo cars in the range and in line with the “zero turbo lag” concept, the Ferrari Portofino M delivers instantaneous throttle response throughout the rev range. The car boasts Variable Boost Management, a control software developed by Ferrari that adjusts torque delivery to suit the gear selected. The result is an increasingly powerful pick-up as revs rise, whilst optimizing fuel consumption. As the car goes up through the gears (from 3rd to 8th), the amount of torque delivered by the engine increases all the way up to 760 Nm (560 lb-ft) in 7th and 8th gear.
Also, the new clutch module is 20% smaller but delivers 35% more torque, with up to a maximum 1,200 Nm (885 lb-ft) of dynamic torque transmitted when gear shifting, Ferrari said. The transmission software strategy has also been evolved with a more powerful ECU.
As for the new exhaust system, the two rear silencers have been eliminated and the by-pass valves are now oval in shape to enhance the exhaust note.
Another noteworthy difference is the Manettino that now includes a Race mode — a first for a Maranello GT spider. The Portofino M also gets the Side Slip Control (SSC). Now in its 6th generation, the SSC integrates the E-Diff, F1-TCS, SCM-E Frs and the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer (FDE) control systems. The FDE is a lateral dynamics control system that uses software to adjust the hydraulic brake pressure at the calipers on all four wheels. On the Portofino M, it is available only when the Manettino is in Race mode.
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