New Ferrari Portofino is the Ferrari the California should have been

The new Ferrari Portofino arrives as the replacement for the Ferrari California T, complete with new chassis, 592bhp V8 and a new look.

Ferrari’s entry-level car – the California – has never been a much-loved Ferrari, and the arrival of the California T as it’s replacement made it a better car but not one which seemed to have Ferrari’s soul in its DNA.

But now we get this – the new Ferrari Portofino – and it looks to be a car Ferrari has lovingly created – rather than a  car built to please their accountants – and a car Ferrari lovers can consider worthy.

Powered by a 592bhp development of the California’s turbo V8, the Portofino gets a new chassis that’s a chunk lighter, dual-coil suspension with magnetic dampers. E-diff electronic rear diff and electric steering.

In the looks department there’s a nose that looks proper Ferrari, headlights clearly influenced by the 488, air intakes which exit beautifully on the front wings, simple ‘Ferrari’ round tail lights and a look that is clearly more cohesive and purposeful than the California.

Inside there’s Ferrari’s latest 10.2″ touchscreen, new seats, new steering wheel and even a new air deflector to make the cabin a far less turbulent place with the roof down.

The Ferrari Portofino looks right.