Facelifted Ferrari Portofino M debuts

Ferrari has released pictures and full details of its updated Portofino M ahead of its launch in Europe in the second quarter of 2021.

The M stands for Modifcata, a designation last used on the 456M in the early noughties, suggesting a mild facelift rather than a full overhaul of the Portofino that was introduced back in 2017.

The headline news of the updated Ferrari drop-top is the Portofino M receives an all-new eight-speed dual-clutch transmission from the SF90 hypercar, plus an updated version of the 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 that produces 456kW – 14kW more than before.

Peak torque of 760Nm remains the same, but the new eight-speed transmission features shorter gearing, maximising in-gear acceleration.

Against the clock, the Portofino M hits 100km/h from standstill in 3.4 seconds – a time that's no quicker than the Portofino – but engineers admit that time is 'grip-limited' and that the 0-200km/h time of 9.8sec is more representative of the improved acceleration, a whole second quicker than the previous version.

Some of its increase in performance is said to have come from a weight-saving from the new transmission that's claimed to be 20 per cent smaller, despite the extra cog, and capable of handling 35 per cent more torque.

As well as being lighter, the new transmission is said to lower the vehicle's centre of gravity, improving handling.

Under the bonnet, the new 3.9-litre twin-turbocharged V8 has been heavily revised to receive a new particulate filter that, initially, reduced power and subdued the V8's sound.

To offset the filters, Ferrari has added a pair of new camshafts to boost the efficiency of the engine, while a new sensor in the turbo is claimed to maximise its performance and further reduce lag.

Finally, a new exhaust has been introduced to provide a soundtrack that "in some ways" is claimed to be better than the previous car's.

Improving responses of both the engine and transmission, Ferrari has taken development of the software governing the Portofino M's powertrain in-house.

Claimed to be even sportier to drive, as part of the facelift engineers have added a fifth Manettino setting.

The new 'Race' mode is claimed to sharpen responses for the enthusiastic driver, while the Side-Slip control is said to allow the driver to take the Portofino M convertible right up to its limits safely.

Externally, Ferrari designers have made only subtle tweaks to the middle-aged Portofino.

There's new front wheel-arch extractors, fresh aluminium slats in the front grille and a tweaked rear bumper that features a redesigned rear diffuser that can now be specified in full carbon-fibre.

Other changes include a new diamond finish for the alloy wheels.

Inside, both the cabin and infotainment system carry over unchanged for 2020.

Following on from the recently-launched Ferrari Roma, the Portofino M is claimed to be number seven of Ferrari's 15-car product onslaught announced in 2016.

The next vehicle to be unveiled in 2020 will be the controversial Purosangue SUV.

When the new Portofino M arrives next year in Europe, pricing will start at €206,000 – a small increase over the outgoing model.

The revised Portofino M is expected to touch down here around the third quarter of 2021 and cost close to the $400,000 (plus on-roads) Ferrari charges for the current model.