MILAN - Ferrari rolled out the Portofino M, a modified version of its top-selling gran tourer, on Wednesday as the Italian sportscar maker pursues a rapid turn over of new models despite the coronavirus crisis.
The new car, the first to be launched since Ferrari shut its operations for seven weeks during a Covid-19 lockdown, was launched online, with video presentations outlining its restyling and technical innovations.
The Portofino M convertible grand tourer (GT) features a redesigned powertrain, eight-speed gearbox and a five-position Manettino switch that includes a race mode.
Ferrari, best known for its high-performance sports cars, is now aiming to increase sales of GTs, which are designed to be comfortable on long road trips.
Enrico Galliera, Ferrari’s chief marketing and commercial officer, told a virtual news conference that deliveries of the Portofino M would start in Europe from the second quarter of next year, with a starting price in Italy of around 206,000 euros ($244,000) - just above the standard Portofino.
After a record five new models last year - including the SF90 Stradale, Ferrari’s first hybrid car in series production - the Portofino M is the seventh in a pipeline of 15 models promised in Ferrari’s 2018-2022 plan.
The carmaker, controlled by Exor, the holding company of Italy’s Agnelli family, has also pledged that 60% of its cars sold by 2022 would be hybrid.
A full-electric model, however, is not expected until after 2025, as the battery technology requires more development and the group needs to prepare customers more used to roaring engines than a quiet drive.
&uuid=(email))