Ferrari Portofino 2018 Launched in the UAE

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May 7,2018

6 min read

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Driving Experience with the Ferrari Portofino

Introduction

My story with the Ferrari Portofino began in November 2017 at the Dubai International Motor Show, where I chose to make the Italian beauty part of our Most Loved Cars at the Motor Show. I often ponder how Ferrari designers manage to make every new car look better than its predecessor, and I am yet to find an answer.

Driving Experience Invitation

A couple of months later, I was invited by Al Tayer Motors Ferrari in the UAE to a driving experience with the Ferrari Portofino, all the way to the picturesque Hatta Dam. I won't hide the fact that I was a bit scared the Portofino wouldn’t live up to my expectations, but let me walk you through the day and tell you how the Portofino holds up in person.

Arrival and Briefing

We arrived early morning at the magnificent Italian luxury brand Bulgari Resort in Dubai for a short briefing on the car and the day ahead. Ferrari was obviously marketing the Portofino as the most usable Ferrari they have built, explaining what sets it apart from the car it succeeds—the 10-year-old Ferrari California and California T.

Features of the Portofino

More legroom for the back seats
Larger boot than its predecessors
Named after a fishing village on the Italian Riviera

You might also be interested in: 2018 Ferrari Portofino stuns at Dubai Motor Show

Driving to Hatta Dam

We were to drive the Portofino through Downtown Dubai and towards Hatta Dam, where we could grab lunch and film the Portofino against the stunning backdrop of Hatta Dam.

Exterior Design

The Ferrari Portofino is a two-door 2+2 hardtop convertible, and it looks fantastic both with the top up and down. The designers and engineers at Ferrari achieved this with a fastback design that features body lines tapering at the boot.

The car boasts a wide stance, highlighted by a horizontal grille flanked by full LED headlights, a long bonnet, sleek body lines, and a sculpted rear wing with taillights positioned at the car's extremities.

Interior Features

Inside, you'll find a high-quality leather and carbon fiber finish, along with the traditional Ferrari-style steering wheel and large carbon fiber paddle shifters mounted to the steering column.

The Portofino also features a 10.25-inch infotainment screen with navigation and Apple CarPlay, a new air-conditioning system, and a separate 8.8-inch display for the passenger.

Driving Dynamics

Once I pressed the bright red engine starter button on the steering wheel, I was greeted by the loud, sonorous Ferrari exhaust note. The exhaust note of a Ferrari is more musical and pleasing to the ear, and I’m glad to report that the Portofino delivers just that!

Performance

In Comfort drive mode, the engine is silent, the suspension is soft, and the steering is light, making it feel like a dream to drive daily. As we approached Hatta Dam, I switched to Sport mode, and the Portofino revealed its true personality.

The Ferrari Portofino utilizes a revised 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, producing a powerful 591 horsepower and 760 Nm of torque. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds and reaches 200 km/h in an astonishing 10.8 seconds.

Conclusion

The drive concluded with the Ferrari Portofino adding to the beauty of Hatta Dam's mountains and waters. While the starting price of AED 850,000 might be steep, I believe Ferrari has built the perfect Grand Tourer with the Portofino, living up to the hype and exceeding expectations.