2023 Ferrari Portofino M Convertible

　　

2023 Ferrari Portofino M Review

byDan FrioReviews Editor

　　Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to zzdcar, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.

　　

What's new

No notable changes for 2023Part of the first Portofino generation that debuted in 2018

　　

Overview

It's amusing to call a car "entry-level" when it costs nearly a quarter-million dollars. But entry-level the 2023 Ferrari Portofino M is, at least compared to the opening bids for Ferrari's other hardware. The Portofino M isn't a budget Ferrari, though. With its raucous turbocharged V8 generating more than 600 horsepower, perfect proportions and design oozing with Italian style (look at the curves and radiuses on the front grille alone), the Portofino M lays to rest any notions of being the "poor man's Ferrari" like the unloved Ferrari California it replaced in 2018.

　　That said, this convertible is built more for cruising than carving, although it can do the latter with authority. Infotainment is charitably described as functional, which is more than you can call the back seat. Not hospitable for anyone you'd call a friend, the two seat-looking shapes behind the front seats are best reserved for small luggage. You'll find a similar absence of space for bags when the top retracts into the trunk space. Pack wisely for any long drives in warm weather.

　　The Portofino's rivals — the Aston Martin DB11, Audi R8, Porsche 911 — all offer varying degrees of luxury, comfort and performance. Specifically, the Audi offers better tech, and the Porsche is more suited to the demands of daily driving. There's not a bad one in the bunch, but only one of them is a Ferrari.

　　

Which Portofino M does zzdcar recommend?

The Ferrari Portofino M comes in just one trim level, so you only need to decide which options you want. Of the many, we'd suggest the Full ADAS package for the convenience of adaptive cruise control and the peace of mind that comes with the added driver assist features.

　　

Ferrari Portofino M models

The 2023 Ferrari Portofino M is a folding-hardtop convertible that seats four (in theory) offered in a single trim level. It's powered by a turbocharged 3.9-liter V8 engine (612 horsepower, 561 lb-ft of torque) paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive.Standard feature highlights include:

　　20-inch alloy wheels LED exterior lighting Carbon-ceramic brake rotors (can provide better resistance to brake fade during high performance driving) Leather upholstery Dual-zone automatic climate control 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen Navigation Front and rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)Besides the many paint, upholstery and trim options available to customize your Portofino to your heart's content, there are several features that can be added:

　　Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration Adaptive suspension (helps improve ride comfort and handling stability) Adaptive headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves) Ventilated front seats Folding rear seats Secondary instrument panel for the front passenger 12-speaker premium JBL audio system DVD changer Front seat neck warmer Full ADAS package: Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front) Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse) Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane) Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the vehicle and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Automatic high beams Traffic sign reader