Ferrari Portofino 2019 Review

The Ferrari Portofino is the Italian supercar-maker’s latest gift to few, replacing the outgoing California T as Ferrari’s entry-level grand tourer.

It’s also the cheapest new Ferrari you can buy, priced from $399,888 (plus ORCs), and with demand currently exceeding supply, you’ll be waiting until at least 2020 to get your hands on one in Australia.

My time behind the wheel of the Ferrari Portofino however is as much about the car as it is me. More specifically, my gender.

“We simply don’t have enough women driving Ferrari cars globally. As our range and technology has evolved, so too should our owner base,” says Herbert Appleroth, CEO of Ferrari Australasia.

Mainland China aside, Australia and New Zealand have the highest percentage of female Ferrari owners in the world – around nine per cent.

And the local Ferrari chief is determined to see that number grow with the help of its latest ground tourer. More importantly, Appleroth not only wants women driving a Ferrari, he wants to see them on the race track “where they absolutely should be”.

The truth is that most women champion the family-friendly vehicle of the house, so I suspect at the end of the day it’s a Ferrari SUV that will be the tipping point women need.

In the meantime, four seats is an important box ticked.

There’s nothing entry-level about the Ferrari Portofino, or any Ferrari. But the Portofino is your cheapest entry point to the Ferrari stable [sorry] of vehicles.

Priced from $399,888 (plus ORCs), the Portofino undercuts the outgoing California T while bringing more Ferrari to the table.

The convertible four-seater’s 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 bangs out 441kW and 760Nm via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. It’ll launch to 100km/h in just 3.5 seconds and has a top speed of 320km/h. Goes without saying -- it’s no slouch.

Significant updates from the outgoing California T include electric power steering and Ferrari’s third-generation electronic differential.

There are certain cars that make even the most privileged of motoring journalists go weak at the knees. For me, it’s a Ferrari.

Thomas Sullivan Magnum III introduced me to the prancing horse courtesy of his 1984 Ferrari 308 GTSi QV. It’s only taken me 12-plus years as a motoring journalist to get behind the wheel of one.

Growing up in Melbourne’s west, the Ferrari was the one car that every kid knew and most lusted after. It’s fair to say my drive in the Ferrari Portofino is true bucket list stuff. I’m thrilled and I never want it to end.

It’s a proud moment steering the Portofino. People do stare and of course I do nothing to alert them to the fact it’s not in fact mine.

I fit perfectly behind the wheel of the Portofino and I’m quite convinced it’s where I belong on a daily basis. The interior vibe is supercar meets haute couture gown – something for everyone, with greater comfort that you’d expect.

With the prancing horse front and centre on your steering wheel, flanked by dial-up-the-fun drive-mode buttons, there’s never any doubt this is a performance vehicle like few others.

Plant your foot as you will and the most glorious sound fills the cabin with just enough rumble to make you smile, not so much you have to scream over it.

Acceleration is immediate and exhilarating and promises to seduce even the not-so supercar inclined (the Portofino on a mission to reduce the number of them folk).

Ergonomics are excellent and comfort great. And technology treats such as Apple CarPlay/Android Auto have not been forgotten. Nothing has, actually.

On more practical matters, even with the hard-top retracted (in around 14 seconds at up to 40km/h) you’re pretty well protected from the wind. It’ll be a good hair day (among other things).

If you ask me the new race-style steering wheel is the hero, closely followed by the 10.2-inch touch-screen display that is home to your navigation and other infotainment specials.

Yes it will fit a family of four who travel light, with up to 292 litres of boot space to play with – that’s more space than a micro car , but less than most others.

Based on our boot space by bog roll test, we’d estimate the Portofino to pack around 200 loo rolls. But don’t forget that when you don’t have four occupants, there’s extra luggage space in the second row.

That second row is best suited to young kids, the tight legroom making it fairly impractical for anyone else. But with a Ferrari Portofino the second car in your garage, this makes perfect sense for the occasional family commute. It’s even got child seat anchors.

Yes there are other grand tourers that offer more second row space. But a Ferrari, they are not.

It’s no secret that the exclusivity of a Ferrari strengthens its appeal; it won’t happen overnight. I mean if everyone had one, would the lure hold strong?

As fate would have it, this is not the case and only the lucky few will drive one in Australia. Perfectly fitting of my love of cars and a champagne diet, the Ferrari Portofino is definitely my cup of Veuve.

For the foreseeable future, however, my Instagram life is where this dream remains. But never say never.

How much does the 2019 Ferrari Portofino cost?
Price: $399,888 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo petrol V8
Output: 441kW/760Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch
Fuel: 10.7L/100km (NEDC)
CO2: 245g/km (NEDC)
Safety rating: TBC