This front-engine 2+ grand touring spider was introduced by Ferrari in 2017 as the successor to the California T, with customer deliveries beginning for the 2018 model year. It was conceived as a more refined and versatile open-top Ferrari, combining a retractable hardtop, rear seats usable for short trips, and a layout aimed at everyday road use as well as touring. The nameplate took its name from the Ligurian town of Portofino, reflecting the car’s Italian grand-tourer character and its connection to the coastal lifestyle image Ferrari used at launch.
In 2020, Ferrari evolved the car into the M version, with the suffix standing for Modificata. That update marked the most significant revision of the original model’s lifecycle and brought a broader technical and dynamic refresh rather than a clean-name replacement. Ferrari positioned the M as the continuation of the same nameplate, not a separate standalone model line, so the Portofino identity remained intact through the update.
Within Ferrari’s modern range, this model occupied the brand’s accessible GT-spider role: a car focused on elegance, open-air driving and long-distance usability, but still tied closely to the company’s V8 performance heritage. Ferrari’s own reporting shows the line was phased out in 2024, making this the final model year for the nameplate. The car became notable as Ferrari’s modern 2+ retractable-hardtop GT spider, bridging the company’s more traditional grand-touring formula with the brand’s contemporary design and electronics evolution.