Named after the picturesque and glamorous fishing village located on the Italian Riviera, the Portofino is Ferrari’s new entry-level model and the replacement for the California. This is not however just a facelifted and rebadged California but instead has been redesigned from the ground up, sitting on a totally new chassis. The Portofino weighs in 80kg lighter than the California and yet is more powerful with a heavily revised version of the 3.9L Twin-Turbo V8 now producing nearly 600bhp. This weight reduction and added power makes the Portofino capable of shooting from 0 to 62mph in 3.5s and a top speed tantalisingly close to the magic 200mph mark. The hardtop roof can be raised or lowered at up to 30mph taking just 14 seconds to complete the transformation. Once the roof is down the Portofino gives a more comfortable ride with 30% less air flow entering the cabin in comparison with the California, the climate control system has also undergone a thorough redesign to offer more cooling and heating when needed with the roof down.

Ferrari claim that this is the most usable Ferrari that money can buy for a number of reasons. Firstly, the ride is so refined and compliant, bettered further still by the optional Magneride Dual Mode Suspension, which makes the Portofino a comfortable drive over even rough B roads. Secondly the new Electronic Power Steering means that in Comfort mode, the steering is beautifully light for city driving and yet increases in weight and feel when Sport mode is selected. Finally, the simplification of the Manettino steering wheel dial to just 3 modes makes the whole car that much more approachable and usable in day-to-day use. Overall the Portofino offers all the thrills and sound of a convertible Ferrari with the practicality and everyday usability unseen in a Ferrari until now.