The Ferrari California generated a great deal of excitement among high-performance Italian exotic car enthusiasts when the model was introduced in 2008. It was Ferrari’s least expensive car, albeit with a base price at $200,000, well beyond the budget of many sportscar lovers.
Although the name alone conjures up an image of a flashy red convertible challenging the twists and turns of Highway 1 along the California coastline past Monterey, Carmel, and Big Sur, some enthusiasts claim the early models were uninspiring. The Ferrari lacked two essential characteristics that made Ferrari automobiles legendary: power and speed.
Yet, the car from Maranello, Italy, has been one of the most popular Ferrari’s over the past decade. The total production of all California variants from 2008 through the last year of production, 2017, exceeded 17,300 vehicles.
In 2018 Ferrari replaced the California with the Portofino as its low-end vehicle offering. Named after the most picturesque seaside village in Northern Italy located on the Mediterranean Sea, the sportscar is in its prime winding along the Strada Statale n. 1 Aurelia (SS1) that follows the coast from Rapallo to Portofino.
Here are the features that make the Portofino a superior car to the California and the best entry-level model ever produced by Ferrari.
Enthusiasm For The Base Model Ferrari California Diminished
While the California was Ferrari’s entry-level model for nearly ten years, the style was consistent with the Italian car manufacturer’s tradition of offering high-performance, exotic sportscars. Furthermore, Ferrari used the California to introduce several innovations.
Ferrari designed the first-generation California (2008-2011) for the average driver, those less accustomed to driving a vehicle with racecar characteristics. It was easier to handle, and getting in and out less of a challenge than most Ferrari models.
The California featured a front-engine as opposed to the traditional mid-engine design. The 4.3-liter power plant produced just over 425 horsepower giving the sportscar an acceleration of 0-60 mph in approximately four seconds and a top speed of about 193 miles per hour.
Direct fuel injection for the V8 engine, a seven-speed transmission with a dual-clutch, a multi-link rear suspension, and a removable metal roof were all “firsts” for Ferrari. Excellent handling was achieved with a unique traction control system, and the front engine weight distribution.
In 2012, Ferrari made several modifications to the California designed to satisfy customer requests. The engine was upgraded to generate more power and produce an exhaust tone similar to what enthusiasts were used to from other models.
To reduce weight, Ferrari made the new chassis almost entirely out of aluminum alloy, and an upgraded traction control system employed unique dampers to improve handling, especially through the corners.
Unfortunately, the upgraded engine in the 2012 model suffered from sudden lockups, in some cases, causing crashes at high speeds.
In 2013, Ferrari went back to installing the original engines, which solved the seizing-up problem, but it meant new buyers did not get the increase in horsepower. The company also recalled all affected 2012 models to change out the engine.
During the second-generation Ferrari California (2014-2017) production cycle, upgrades included a more powerful engine, a significant body redesign with improved aerodynamics, and a complete interior upgrade. A state-of-the-art infotainment system provided drivers with technology on par with Ferrari’s competitors.
Despite the changes to the California, Ferrari decided the time was right for an entirely new entry-level model, introducing the Portofino for the 2018 model year.
The Portofino Boasts A More Aggressive Style Than The California
Ferrari made a significant styling change with the introduction of the Portofino. The front bumper has a much sharper line highlighting a new front grille. The extended front splitter produces more high-pressure downforces and therefore increased traction, and the hood appears more muscular with longer hood vents.
Perhaps the most exciting feature of the new Portofino is the restyled headlights that include air intakes, which allow air to pass through to the wheel arch and out again at the side air intake.
The curved and sculpted doors help define the car’s lines, and with the top down, the fastback style is a bit flatter than the California. The muscular backend with a sharper rear lip and brand new bulkier rear diffuser hosts new taillights borrowed from the 488. The entire body of the Portofino is much more aggressive-looking than the California.
Performance And Handling Put The Portofino In A Different League
Although the Portofino is equipped with the same 3.9-liter V8 Twin-Turbocharged engine found in the California, it generates an additional 40 bhp (612 horsepower) and more torque while providing better fuel efficiency. The Portofino accelerates to 60 mph in just over three seconds. Brembo brakes ensure the sportscar is brought to a stop after employing all that power.
Ferrari has reached a higher level of handling performance by tweaking the magnetic damper algorithms, along with stiffer springs front and rear. The Portofino uses electromechanical steering (instead of the hydraulic steering used in the California) and Ferrari’s magnificent electronic differential to make body control far superior to the California.
The Portofino Hosts A Plethora Of Interior Updates Over The California
It is no surprise that the Portofino offers the same small back seat found in most other Ferrari cars, but Country Club members will be pleased to know the trunk has been enlarged to fit a full set of golf clubs.
The interior of the Portofino features several updates from the California highlighted by the dashboard. The instrument cluster features a digital display on both the left and right, and an integrated HD touchscreen that looks like a tablet. Heating and lumbar support can be set directly from the infotainment screen.
The steering wheel connected to the improved steering system is slightly more oval-shaped than the California version, with a few new buttons.
An Entry-Level Ferrari Still Costs Over $200,000
The Ferrari Portofino is lighter, faster, more attractive, and better made than its predecessor, the California.
The entry-level model competes with some impressive vehicles from other high-performance car manufacturers like the Aston Martin DB11 Volante, the AMG S63 Cabrio, and the Porsche Turbo cabriolet.
While the Portofino’s residual value with time is unlikely to match that of the 812 Superfast or 488, the sports car is a true Ferrari after all, and many would argue the car merits its asking price of over $200,000.
Sources: romansinternational.com, architecturaldigest.com, gq-magazine.co.uk, topgear.com