Ferrari replaces California with 441kW Portofino

Ferrari has facelifted its California T and renamed it the Portofino.

Set to be officially revealed at the Frankfurt motor show in September, the new entry-level Ferrari is now named after a picturesque fishing village on the Italian Riviera in Northern Italy.

Addressing concerns from the Italian car-maker's very own CEO that the current California T wasn't a "proper Ferrari", the thoroughly overhauled, sharper-looking Portofino has engineering highlights designed to make the Prancing Horse's convertible both faster and better to drive.

Claimed to be based on an "all-new chassis", rather than a development of the California T architecture, the Portofino is said to offer "significant weight savings" over the car it replaces plus an increase in torsional rigidity.

Ferrari hasn't released how much lighter the Portofino is, but said most of the weight has been shed thanks to modern production techniques and the use of lighter, redesigned components.

Under the bonnet, Ferrari's entry-level model gets a huge boost in power with the twin-turbocharged 3.9-litre V8 pushing out 441kW/760Nm -- 29kW/5Nm more than the outgoing car.

The power gains come from new piston and con-rods, a new intake system and a redesigned exhaust that, according to Ferrari, helps the engine deliver sharp throttle responses with zero turbo lag.

Combined with a development of the California's seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, against the clock using launch control the new Portofino is claimed to reach the 100km/h benchmark in just 3.5 seconds -- a tenth quicker than the old car.

Top speed is said to be more than 320km/h.

To help cope with the extra performance the Portofino gets an E-Diff3 – the firm's latest third-gen electronically controlled rear differential.

Said to increase both mechanical grip and added adjustability on the limit, the new system works with the car's electric power steering that is now seven per cent faster.

Despite the quicker ratios, Ferrari says there has been no trade-off in stability.

On top of better traction and more responsive steering, engineers have also uprated the old car's magnetorheological dampers that are now claimed to offer less body roll and a better ride over poor road surfaces.

As well as incorporating what Ferrari says is "more aggressive styling", the new Portofino includes some clever wind-bending. The large boomerang-shaped headlights, for example, hide small air intakes which vent the front wheel-arches to reduce drag.

Inside, there's yet more change with a larger 10.2-inch infotainment system, a new air-con unit, redesigned 18-way adjustable seats that provide more legroom for rear-seat passengers and a new wind deflector that cuts air flow by a claimed 30 per cent with the roof down.

Speaking of which, the retractable hard-top has also been redesigned and is now claimed to be lighter and capable of being raised and lowered at "low speed".

Finally, as well as being faster, the new car is fractionally kinder to the environment. The Portofino consumes the same 10.5L/100km at the pump, but produces 245g/km of CO2 – 5g/km less than the California T.

More will be revealed following the Portofino's global debut at the Frankfurt motor show next month.