Ferrari has revealed the first details of its new entry-level drop-top California T replacement - the Portofino.
Named after one of Italy's most beautiful towns - "synonymous with elegance, sportiness and understated luxury" - the Portofino will be the least expensive way of getting into a new Ferrari when it goes on sale in 2018.
The launch colour of the new GT has also been dedicated to the seaside town: Rosso Portofino.
The California T struggled to impress international press, often criticised for not looking or feeling Ferrari. The former cannot be said about the Portofino's styling. Design cues have clearly been taken from its big brothers, the 812 Superfast and GTC4Lusso, sculpting a more aggressive and sleeker silhouette than its predecessor.
As well as being more attractive, the new bodywork adheres to Ferrari's aerodynamic efficiency standards. The radiator grille is bigger to channel more air for cooling. New horizontal LED headlights hide side air intake vents that flow through the front wheel arches and down the side of the car to reduce drag.
Tail lights have been moved to the extreme corners of the car to make it look hunkered to the road and allowing for more space for the folding hard-top roof.
Inside the cabin, it gets new seats, the same steering wheel as the 812 Superfast and the 25cm infotainment system that first appeared in the GTC4Lusso.
Underneath the bonnet is the same 3.9-litre capacity twin-turbo V8 engine from the California T. In Portofino trim however, output has been increased to 441kW at 7500rpm and 760Nm of torque from 3000-5250rpm.
Despite appearing similar on paper to its predecessor, the engine in the Portofino features new pistons, con-rods, air intakes, exhaust and headers, designed to eliminate turbo lag. Ferrari says that, paired with the Italian marque's third-generation electronic differential, means the Portofino is capable of 100km/h in 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 320km/h-plus.
Ferrari says the new chassis design represents a "significant weight saving" over the 1625kg California T. A full component redesign and new production technologies also increase torsional rigidity.
Ferrari is yet to release an official weight figure. For that, and other undisclosed specifications (including pricing), we'll have to wait for the Portofino's first public appearance at next month's Frankfurt Motor Show.
