Portofino Launch and picture thread

What is a platform? Isn't it a base where everything is built on? In a car that must be a chassis.

So Ferrari created a new chassis for Portofino, but why didn't they alter wheelbase? I guess they were happy with the existing dimensions. Increasing the wheelbase would mean increasing weight and they were trying to reduce weight. So instead they did a clever thing and created compact seats with magnesium frames (magnesium is 33% lighter than aluminium with similar or greater mechanical properties) and got more room to interior while actually decreasing weight.
This is an entry level Ferrari and still it has only 5 cm (2 inch) shorter wheelbase as 812 Superfast. I assume Ferrari wanted to keep the car as compact as possible and shorter than the top end model. Regarding the looks, I think it got a complete overhaul from retro to modern design while also getting wider. I would also like to remind the same engine block is shared with GTC4Lusso T and 488 GTB too, and those for sure are different models.

 

Does anyone have information on HIFI system and DVD changer options?

When clicking the HIFI System option in Configurator, the only visible change in interior view is the appearance of JBL tag. Is it the same system as in California? See https://www.jbl.com/ferrari.html

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Also, is the DVD changer here in the boot? Is there any information available about the system? Did California (T) have such an option?

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The Premium HiFi system on the PF is described as JBL Professional, 1500W with 12 speakers. Cost ($6,243) is about the same as on the CalT so I suppose it may be similar. On the California you could get a CD reader as a zero cost option. I believe it was in the glove box. On the PF they have dropped the zero cost option and offer a DVD changer that can be loaded with six DVD/CDs at once. Cost is $2,531. the guide says it is located in the "right-hand zone of the boot" and is "easily accessible". So your arrow is likely pointing at it.

 

What is a normally / average equipped version coming out to be?

 

OldDog quoted $244K plus tax a page or do back. I don't think I've seen another U.S. valuation. I think the base price quoted was $214K...T

 

That's kind of what I figured -- something around $250K.

 

When I bought my '13 Cali in Canada, my salesman said Cdn$40k of options is the average on these cars, anything lower will appear somewhat lacking. Given the higher margins on options being an integral part of the pricing strategy, I think this is the pricing formula the factory and FNA have factored in.

 

Has anyone seen one in person? Does it look better than the photos? That air curtain sidewall jutting out by the front tires looks just darn weird to me. But they did a great job on the roof up and down and the rear view.

I'm surprised there is no seat style choice on the configurator. In fact the options are pretty much "Ferrari" run of the mill on the car.

The cars are apples and oranges to some degree but you can get a good 458 spider for the same $250K today. And, it's chewed up a lot of its depreciation. It makes the decision tougher.

 

I agree completely with this as you are now talking about 'model line' instead of 'model'.

 

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For comparison.



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A mid-engine spider is very different in function from a front-mid-engine 2+2 PF. If the 458 spider you had was too much unwanted scary attention, you'll still have that problem today. Best to wait till you can see an PF in the flesh and then wait for early adopters' impressions. If you get too caught up with depreciation fears you may miss the more important point of owning a given car.

Depreciation is not a problem if you really like the car and keep it. Personally-speaking, I don't get excited about any new car unless it truly presents a personally meaningful improvement.

 

Yah I agree with you. The 458 is a pretty poor compromise between sports car and GT. In fact this was my problem with the 458. It wasn't sporty enough and it was not a great GT. And the spider wasn't a great convertible. It felt to me more like a targa open top but not a true convertible.

And I completely agree with the "attention" issue. One of the things that turned me off.

I think the Speciale version cured the 458's lack of sports car nature. But they made too few spiders so they are all "collectibles" -- not to be driven. What a pity

The Portofino is pure GT. If you want something to drive every day or go cross country, the 458 is not really what you want.

 

FWIW, I'm very happy with my Cali30 HS. IMO, the truth is that no regular high performance car is optimally configured by the factory and cars like Ferraris are too risky for most owners to tinker with even if they are not held back by the "must own or resell in factory condition" mentaility.

IMO, all car makers purposely under-achieve their performance cars for various reasons, some of which are not in your best interest. You will never find the perfect car if you only rely on standard offerings. So I always end up tinkering with my cars. It's the only way for me to be truly happy... so long as I've already determined a car's got "good bones" and can be exactly what I really want, with the available aftermarket upgrades. I'm never happy until I've tinkered with some deficiency in my cars.

 

These aren't cars anymore. They are tokens to too many. Like a trophy wife.

 

Thanks!


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Very true, such demand also influences design and marketing message(s)... ambivalent for the enthusiasts, reasons why some of us resort to aftermarket upgrades for "fixes".

 

Does the configurator work for you? How? I still can’t seem to use it.


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Yes it works but I can't figure out how to see it with the top up. I was using Chrome.

 

Thanks for the info! Very interesting.

I'm a bit surprised with Portofino's 1500 W figure and 12 speakers because California's JBL HiFi system has only 400 W (8 x 50 W) with 9 speakers. Are the Watt figures really comparable? California owners have not been particularly happy with the optional HiFi system. Has Ferrari really taken complaints seriously and provided a better system for Portofino?

See old thread of California's HiFi complaints:
https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/upgraded-hi-fi-stereo-option.281889/

 

Just like anything else, trying to compare stereos based on wattage is tricky business. There are different types of amps, and the most important thing is the speakers. The bottom line you should take away from this is it seems like there will be solid power to create dynamic sound out of the stereo. I know many say the real sound system is the exhaust- and I agree- but some of us like to have our tunes with us at times. And when I do, I prefer a dynamic rendition of whatever it is I have playing. So the question is whether or not the new system is better than the old. I can only guess that it should be improved, along with the rest of the car.

And that brings me back to Rob's point - as I think we are just splitting hairs here/ semantics/ - about platform vs model line. I agree with you if you are saying these are model lines then I suppose you could say the PF occupies the space in the lineup that the original California created. And thus, the 488 is really a late descendant of the 308. But- does anyone really believe the 308 and 488 have anything mechanically in common?

I would adjust your matrix as follows- and indeed, your own (or former) Ferrari chat forums are organized this way

308 < 328 | 348 < 355 | 360 < 430 | 458 < 488

250 GT models < 275 | 365 | 550 < 575 | 599 | F12 < 812

California < California 30 < California T | Portofino

 

I can't get it to work on my Mac w/ Chrome. Are you using a Windows machine, iPad, something else?
T

 

My reaction to having seen cars done in both is this picture is accurate but a little misleading. The Sterling looks more like a navy when spread over a surface and Medio looks more crayon blue. Remember, when dealing with colors, its not enough to look at the color, you also have to consider the shape and scale of the application.

 

I agree. Pretty hard to compare systems based on wattage. It seems the complaints about HiFi system have concerned mostly original California. Ferrari upgraded the system for California T. I just found few pages which say California T has 12 speakers with 1280 Watts. Here is the most informative of them:

http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/9-reasons-to-buy-a-ferrari-california-t
"The Sound System: Our test car featured the optional JBL Professional stereo. It incorporates five 25mm ceramic metal-matrix diaphragm dome Tweeters, three 80mm black Kevlar midrange speakers, two 200mm carbon fibre dual voice-coil woofers with neodymium magnets, two 100mml back Kevlar midrange speakers and a thumping 1,280-watt 16-channel class-d amp. No matter how fast you're going, it still felt like Snoop Dogg had taken residence in our cochlea."

Even if comparison is difficult, lets recap the figures were got:
California: 400 W, 9 speakears
California T: 1280 W, 12 speakers
Portofino: 1500 W, 12 speakers

Perhaps HiFi systems are coming more important to Ferrari as well now that engine noise is reduced due to turbo chargers.