For Ferrari, it is the (re)starting point for their pursuit of innovation whilst fully respecting its heritage, passion, and constant search for perfection. The ‘M’ in its moniker stands for ‘Modificata’, which in Ferrari nomenclature refers to cars that have undergone an evolution that has significantly boosted their performance.

The Portofino M gets a redesigned powertrain, a brand-new eight-speed gearbox, and a five-position driver-selectable Manettino dial that includes a Race mode, a first for a Maranello GT spider.

The Ferrari Portofino M’s 3.8-liter engine punches out 620 horsepower at 7,500 rpm, 20 more horsepower than before. Its torque is set at 760 Nm at 3,000 to 5,750 rpm. According to Ferrari, 0-100 km/h arrives in 3.45 seconds, 0-200 km/h at 9.8 seconds, and top speed is pegged at 320 km/h.

It also boasts of a completely new redesigned eight-speed gearbox that replaces the previous 7-speed version. The first eight-speed dual clutch installed in an open top Ferrari, the oil bathed architecture features a 20 smaller clutch and 35 percent higher torque delivery.

From a vehicle dynamic perspective, the most significant innovation is most certainly the introduction of the five-position Manettino which includes the addition of Race mode.

Visually, the Portofino M features a new bumper with a sportier, more aggressive look. Onboard, it comes with features such as ventilated and heated seats as well as advanced driver assistance systems.