Dial M for Modificata, the letter Ferrari uses from time to time to indicate significant improvements to a model.
This time it’s the Portofino, the entry point to the Ferrari lineup, which has a front-mounted V8 but not a fixed roof like the Roma – nor the look of the Roma, which still makes the photographer pale again. Buses uncontrollably.
The changes here, however, are apparently intended to make the Portofino a bit more Roman. Ferrari says the car is sportier: there is more power, more dynamism in its exterior appearance, more precise shift times thanks to a new gearbox and an additional position, Race, on the gear selector. driving mode, which also brings new chassis control software.
In detail, then, the 3.9-liter twin-turbo flat-cranked V8 now needs a gasoline particulate filter to meet emissions regulations. It costs around 20bhp but, as Porsche discovered with the previous 911 GT3 RS, the choking effects negate the need for a set of rear silencers.
And because the Portofino’s engine is in the front and the filter needs to be close to it, the exhausts can descend either side of the driveshaft, around the transaxle transmission, and then exit without any huge interruption, so that the diffuser can be more sculpted and racy. -look, giving some space to the fresh air.
Next, the valve openings are increased by approximately 1mm on the intake and exhaust valve assemblies, adding approximately 40 hp, resulting in a net gain of 20 hp (from 592 hp to 612 hp).
The rear wheels are driven via an eight-speed (instead of seven) dual-clutch gearbox (with 4% shorter gears until seventh, then a longer eight for better cruising economy), via an electronically controlled limited slip differential.
Riding modes range from Wet to Comfort, Sport and Race (which is new) to ESC Off. The aforementioned new software card in Race is called Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer and aims to make the Portofino more controllable to the limit. It looks like Ferrari’s Side Slip Control but with a less heroic name.
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Source: www.autocar.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-06-22 23:01:25
