2021 Ferrari Portofino M Brings More Power And Tech To “Entry-Level” Convertible

After the unveiling of the Portofino-based Roma coupe late last year, it was only a matter of time before Ferrari upgraded the convertible model as well, seeing as the fixed-top car brought a series of upgrades.

Enter the 2021 Ferrari Portofino M, which gains the Roma’s 612 HP (620 PS / 456 kW) powertrain as well as exterior and interior styling tweaks. Adding the letter ‘M’ to the name (it stands for ‘Modificata’) does not mean the old Portofino gets to continue: the Portofino M facelift effectively replaces it.

It’s one of those facelift jobs that need a good look at to notice the changes, though. On the outside, the Portofino M adopts a new front bumper with larger air intakes for a more aggressive look plus a new air vent at wheel arch height that’s said to help reduce overall drag. The grille has been updated too and features new aluminum slats with contrasting faceted tips.

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Out back, the new exhaust system has allowed the removal of the silencer assembly, making the Portofino M’s tail more compact. As a result, the rear bumper is now more streamlined and sculptural. The styling is more in harmony with the front bumper for a “much more coherent overall aesthetic,” according to Ferrari.

Seen from the side, the only way to distinguish the Portofino M from the outgoing Portofino is thanks to the dedicated diamond-finish wheels and the front wheel arch air vents.

There’s a similar story inside, with Ferrari making the most discreet updates. Those who were hoping the facelifted Portofino would get a similar dashboard to the Roma will be disappointed. With the exception of new color combinations and updated materials, the Portofino M’s cabin looks exactly like before.

Thankfully, Ferrari was more generous with the technical part, giving the refreshed convertible the same powertrain from the Roma. That’s a 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 with a flat-plane crankshaft making 612 HP (620 PS / 456 kW) at 5,750 – 7,500 rpm and 760 Nm (560 lb-ft) of torque at 3,000 – 5,750 rpm.

That’s an increase of 20 PS (20 HP) over the Portofino, while the peak torque is identical. As with the Roma, the V8 engine is hooked to the SF90 Stradale-derived eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. Another update is the five-position Manettino that adds a Race mode, an absolute first for a GT spider from Maranello.

Further enhancing the Portofino M’s handling is the sixth-generation Side Slip Control (SSC) vehicle dynamics system which integrates the E-Diff, F1-TCS, SCM-E Frs magnetorheological dampers and the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer (FDE) control systems.

Ferrari also mentions new optional features, such as an updated range of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) as well as ventilated and heated seats.