Ferrari enhances GT for new model

Ferrari has unveiled the Portofino M, a modified version of its top-selling grand tourer, as the carmaker seeks to unleash a range of new models despite the coronavirus crisis.

The Italian marque’s new offering is the first car to be launched since it shut its operations for seven weeks because of a Covid-19 lockdown.

The Portofino M grand tourer (GT) features a redesigned powertrain, eight-speed gearbox and a five-position Manettino switch that includes a race mode.

Other upgrades include new camshaft profiles and tuning tweaks to its front-mounted, twin-turbo 3.9L V-8. Output is now 612 horsepower, up from the original Portofino’s 591hp.

Ferrari is best known for high-performance sportscars but is banking on an increase in sales of GTs, which are designed to be comfortable on longer road trips. It has said about 40 per cent of total sales could come from GT models by 2022, up from 32 per cent, reports Reuters.

Deliveries of the Portofino M will start in Europe from the second quarter of next year, with a starting price of about €206,000 (NZ$361,000).

After five new models last year, the Portofino M is the seventh in a pipeline of 15 models promised in Ferrari’s 2018-2022 plan.

Enrico Galliera, Ferrari’s chief marketing and commercial officer, says the marque is planning another launch before the end of the year and the remaining seven in the next two years. 

“Despite some delays that occurred to our product development because of the closing down of the factories we’re maintaining the plan as originally presented,” he adds.

The carmaker has also pledged that 60 per cent of its cars sold by 2022 will be hybrid but a full-electric model is not expected until after 2025.