Ferrari describes the Portofino M as its most accessible car – the entry point into a world that, for most buyers, starts somewhere north of $400,000. That framing might raise eyebrows, but spend time with the Portofino M in Australia and the logic becomes clear. This is a Ferrari you could actually use regularly, one that rewards competent drivers without punishing anyone who isn’t.
What the M Stands For
The M in Portofino M stands for Modificata – modified. Ferrari updated the standard Portofino with a more powerful engine, improved transmission calibration and a new rear-wheel steering system that transforms the car’s handling at both low and high speeds. It is not a new model so much as a meaningfully better version of an already capable car.
The engine is a 3.9-litre twin-turbocharged V8 producing 456 kW (620 hp) – up from 447 kW in the original Portofino. The 0-100 km/h time is 3.45 seconds. The top speed is 320 km/h. These are numbers that would have been supercar territory not long ago, yet the Portofino M manages them while being genuinely comfortable on Australian roads.
The Engine and Transmission
Ferrari’s twin-turbocharged V8 has become one of the most celebrated engines in the business. In the Portofino M, it pulls cleanly from low revs and rewards those who chase the redline with an increasingly urgent surge of power. The 8-speed dual-clutch gearbox received recalibrated software for the M update, and the difference is noticeable – shifts are quicker in Sport mode and smoother in Comfort, with none of the hesitation that some dual-clutch units show in slow traffic.
The exhaust note is a genuine highlight. Ferrari has given the Portofino M an active exhaust valve system, and in Sport or Race mode the sound transforms from a refined burble to something that turns heads in Canberra, Sydney, or anywhere else you happen to be driving it.
Rear-Wheel Steering
The rear-wheel steering is the most significant mechanical change in the M update, and it makes the Portofino feel like a smaller, more agile car than its dimensions suggest. At low speeds, the rear wheels steer opposite to the fronts – effectively shrinking the turning circle. At higher speeds, they steer in the same direction, adding stability under load. The result is a car that parks easily and corners with real confidence.
This is not a feature that sounds exciting in a specification sheet, but anyone who spends a week with the Portofino M will notice its absence if they ever return to the standard car.
Australian Pricing and LCT
The Ferrari Portofino M is priced at approximately $380,000 to $430,000 in Australia before options, depending on specification. That places it well above the standard LCT threshold of $80,567, meaning buyers pay the 33 per cent LCT rate on the amount over that threshold – adding roughly $100,000 to $120,000 to the base price in tax alone.
Options are plentiful and expensive. Carbon fibre trim packages, bespoke paint colours, the leather and Alcantara interior combinations – none of these are cheap. A fully specified Portofino M can land at $500,000 or beyond in Australia.
Ferrari’s official pricing is handled through authorised dealers in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Waitlists exist for popular configurations, though not as long as for the SF90 or Roma.
The Retractable Hard Top
The Portofino M is a convertible with a retractable hard top that opens or closes in 14 seconds. With the roof up, wind noise at highway speeds is well contained – better than most soft-top convertibles. With it down, the experience is what you would expect: genuinely exhilarating at pace, with the V8 soundtrack filling the cabin.
The two rear seats are not usable for adults on long journeys, but they serve for short trips with children or for carrying extra luggage when folded. This is a 2+2 in the European tradition – a car that acknowledges the possibility of passengers rather than accommodating them fully.
Daily Driver Reality
What distinguishes the Portofino M from other Ferraris in Australia is its genuine usability. The ride in Comfort mode is acceptable on most Australian roads. The visibility is better than average for a sports car of this type. The infotainment system has been updated and works reasonably well. Fuel consumption is not good – expect 14 to 17 litres per 100 km in normal use – but that is the price of a 620 hp V8.
Boot space is limited to 292 litres, which is enough for a weekend away if you pack efficiently.
Verdict
The Ferrari Portofino M is the easiest Ferrari to justify as a purchase if you plan to actually use it. It is beautiful, well built, and more engaging to drive than most cars that cost half the price. The M updates address the weaknesses of the original Portofino without changing the fundamental character – which was already a sound one.
At roughly $400,000 to $500,000 on Australian roads, it is not cheap. But as an entry into the Ferrari world that you can drive to work on a Tuesday, it makes as much sense as any Ferrari ever has.