7 minute read
FIRST DRIVE
By Darren Cassey, PA Motoring Reporter
Advertisement
Ferrari has updated the Portofino GT, promising sharper handling and improved comfort. Darren Cassey gets behind the wheel.
WHAT IS IT?
It’s funny how Italian words make everything sound better to us Brits, especially when it comes to cars. A classic example is the exotic-sounding Maserati Quattroporte, which translates as ‘four doors’. Today we’re testing the Ferrari Portofino M, with that final initial standing for ‘Modificata’, or simply ‘Modified’ in English.
The Portofino is a 2+2 hard top convertible from Ferrari’s GT family, first introduced in 2017. The M treatment now means there’s an extensive raft of upgrades and improvements. Think of it like a midlife refresh – a really extensive one.
WHAT’S NEW?
Firstly, and perhaps unsurprisingly for a Ferrari, there’s increased performance from the engine. The engineers then also worked on driving dynamics to make the most of the extra power, and adapted the styling to improve cooling through the air intakes. But with this being a GT, comfort has also been improved.
There’s also a redesigned exhaust system that allowed for the removal of the silencer and reduced the size and weight of the system, while the rear diffuser is totally new and separate from the bumper.
WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET? A 3.9-litre turbocharged V8 engine, which is a direct descendant of the unit that won Engine of the Year four times in a row between 2016 and 2019. It makes 602bhp (an increase of about 20bhp) and 720Nm of torque, and is mated to a totally new eight-speed automatic transmission.
filling of the combustion chamber, while some turbocharger trickery means it now spins faster than before. The result of these upgrades is a 060mph time of about 3.2 seconds and a top speed in excess of 199mph.
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
Unsurprisingly for a car with over 600bhp, the Portofino M has utterly ballistic acceleration. Our test in damp, changeable conditions meant full throttle applications were a test of nerves (and, perhaps, stupidity). As such, in lower gears it was hilariously terrifying going beyond 80% throttle, with the angry engine note filling the cabin and the car lunging forward at a rapid pace.
Despite being a GT car, it’s still a Ferrari. The Italians don’t want to build a Bentley with a different badge, they want to build a comfortable car that’s still sharp and direct in corners. It has succeeded, because while it’s not as confidenceinspiring as the firm’s 488 supercar, it’s still ludicrously capable on an undulating country road.
However, Ferrari was keen to stress that it has also focused on comfort, again with a decent amount of success. There’s a little jiggle on the worst roads the Cotswolds threw at us, but with the mannettino switch pointed to comfort, there’s a subtlety to the ride that surprises given its ability in the corners.
Perhaps the only complaint in this regard is that the driving position didn’t offer as much adjustability as you’d hope from a car built with long-distance driving in mind, leaving us feeling a little cramped after a few hours behind the wheel.
HOW DOES IT LOOK?
The Portofino is a distant relative of the California that came before it, arguably one of the blandestlooking Ferrari models in recent memory. However, while the original Portofino carried some of those unappealing styling cues, the latest model has had enough nip and tuck to make it a serious looker.
On the face of it, changes are subtle, but there’s a sharper, more muscular appearance that’s come from the fact designers wanted to reflect the improved performance from the engine. There are
FACTS AT A GLANCE
Model as tested: Ferrari Portofino M
Engine: 3.9-litre turbocharged V8
Power: 602bhp
Torque: 720Nm
Max speed: 199mph
0-60mph: 3.2 seconds
MPG: TBC
Emissions: TBC
bigger intakes up front and new vents at wheel arch height, while the new exhaust allows the rear to be more streamlined.
Ferrari has given the Portofino a fastback look with the roof up, and it looks great from all angles except the rear, where the roof looks awkwardly proportioned. As all the best convertibles do, the Portofino is at its best with the roof down.
WHAT’S IT LIKE INSIDE?
Interior changes are more subtle, and while the overall appearance isn’t quite as luxurious as some rivals, there’s a minimalist, driver-focused feel that instantly screams sports car.
The dials are large and easy to read, while the 10.25-inch touchscreen is elegantly integrated into the centre of the dashboard. The menu design is simple, modern and easy to use, and though it’s a little slow to respond to inputs, overall it’s an excellent system.
There are a few minor irritations. With minimal adjustability, we found the top of the dials were always blocked by the wheel unless it was pushed unnaturally high, while a few ergonomic oversights that frustrated would likely not be an issue for long-term owners.
VERDICY
With the Portofino M, Ferrari is trying to find a sweet spot between out-and-out performance cars and luxury-focused GT models. With such a target, it would be easy to be compromised, excelling at neither.
However, that’s not the case. In general driving, the ride quality is impressively comfortable, so all but the roughest roads are smoothed out in true GT fashion. But the Modificata updates have given the Portofino a sharp edge that would give more focused machinery a run for its money.
The Ferrari Portofino M is a fantastic all-rounder, then, with two different characters that can be called on at the flick of a mannettino switch.
WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE?
With an on the road price of £175,360, the Ferrari Portofino M naturally has an extensive standard equipment list. For your cash, you get full LED headlights and tail lights, 20-inch alloy wheels, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, air conditioning, and plenty of performanceenhancing technology. This being a luxury model, the option list is extensive and eye-wateringly expensive. A few examples include Magneride suspension (£3,168), carbon-fibre rear diffuser (£6,720), ‘historical’ paint job (£7,104) and 20-inch forged diamond wheel rims (£4,608).
Inside, you can pay almost £2,000 for a neckwarming stream of air, there’s a carbon-fibre driving zone and steering wheel for £4,320 and £2,400 for smartphone connection.
If you’re paying less than £200,000 for your Portofino M then you’ve shown quite a bit of restraint…
Are we moving towards a cashless society in the near future?
By Vicky Shaw, PA personal finance correspondent
One in three people think the UK will be cashless in the next five years, according to Paragon Bank. Vicky Shaw reports. Nearly three-quarters (71%) of us think the UK is moving towards a cashless society, according to a new survey. And one in three think this will happen in the next five years, the research from Paragon Bank found.
Cash use nosedived last year during the pandemic –with recent figures from trade association UK Finance showing cash payments plunged by 35% last year, with 6.1 billion transactions recorded.
While coins and banknotes were used for 17% of all payments in the UK last year, 27% of payments were contactless.
However, there are still reasons to believe cash will be around for the foreseeable future.
The UK Government has said it intends to legislate to protect the future of cash, and there are various industry initiatives taking place to make sure people will continue to have free access to coins and banknotes.
Paragon Bank’s survey of 2,000 people also found that two-thirds said they used cash less during lockdown than before – and many thought the shift would be permanent.
One in five were using cash less frequently due to technological advances making it easy to pay for goods using smart devices, including phones and watches. choosing to carry a purse or wallet either never or only occasionally. Only 13% anticipated returning to pre-pandemic spending behaviours.
However, only one in four (26%) people would see a move towards a cashless society as positive, while one in three (34%) view it as negative.
Many people were concerned about depending more on IT systems – although some thought having less cash around could potentially reduce incidents of violent crime, the research found.
Plus, while contactless technology may be very convenient for many, it’s important to remember it may not be accessible for some people, who will still reply on cash.
Derek Sprawling, savings director at Paragon Bank, says: “The concerns people have voiced about the impact of going cashless are very real factors that reflect that cash currently plays a vital role in communities. This has definitely also been highlighted during the pandemic – any move away from cash will likely be very gradual, and must be carefully managed to ensure no groups are negatively impacted.”
