April 2019 69 www.bahrainthismonth.com motoring which is a lot in Ferrari terms – giving a more responsive feel. Ferrari has also increased the Portofino’s range and added a tad more – two inches, hey, two inches count – legroom in the back, which, if you want, can fold down for added trunk space. You want to put the top down? Done, in only 14 seconds and at up to 25 mph (40kmh), that got a few admiring looks from the guys behind me! I thought the interior to be similar to the GTC4 Lusso, and yes, I have had the pleasure of driving that also. The large infotainment screen in the centre of the dashboard and a separate screen in front of the passenger displaying the same performance information, including G force, is seriously cool. The interior is precisely as one expects from Ferrari, immaculate craftsmanship. Primarily leather, carbon fibre and aluminum materials, they blend seamlessly into a perfectly luxurious and senses-pleasing cabin, good Feng Shui. I have to mention some of the interesting extras you can get with this beauty. An Apple play, front and rear parking cameras, and – I love this one – a carbon fibre (to minimise weight) cup holder. I hasten to warn you, selecting this little option will set you back, USD2,000, but hey, this is a Ferrari. The button for instant rough-road shock adjustment is brilliant, as is the whole steering design, pretty much everything in a palm span to switch on or off. There have been rumblings that the California’s rear end is a tad bulbous, the car weighty and underpowered, pedantic whining methinks. I did find the Portofino to be more aesthetically appealing than its predecessor. Since the departure of Pininfarina after the F12 Berlinetta, some muse that a bit of elegance had gone from Ferrari but the Portofino has regained elegance and Ferrari says the shape was inspired by the 1968 Daytona…yes OK, with the top up, indeed you can see that. The Portofino is obviously not as quick as the 812 (which is called the “Superfast” after all) in a straight line and the 488GTB would be a better bet on the track. But, the Portofino is delightful for effortless cruising at “moderate” speeds and use on a daily basis. With the roof up or down this is a comfortable Ferrari Gran Turismo but with the top down on a sunny day – of which we get quite a few in our neck of the woods – the Portofino is just pure awesome driving fun in a really great looking car. That brilliant motoring combination is what the geniuses at Maranello wanted for their customers. Well, with the Portofino, they got it bang on. Pros? The 2 plus 2, top up or down Portofino does almost everything an 812 or 488 can do. Cons? Er, hmm, tough call…. leave it with me, I’m still thinking!
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