Photos: Ferrari

After the F8 Spider, SF90 and Roma, Ferrari launched two new models in the space of 9 days: the Portofino M & Omologata.

Before the coronavirus pandemic, Enrico Galliera confirmed to Autocar at the unveiling of the Roma, that Ferrari will reveal two new models this year as part of the company's plan to launch 15 new models by 2022. "We're always planning to do something more, and we intend to make some news. We will launch two new models by the end of the year."

Ferrari’s assembly team is doing quite well in the pandemic, although Covid-19 has suspended production at its Maranello factory until May, which delayed the production and delivery of new Ferraris but not demand from the top clients to acquire them, so there is still a chance for new models to be revealed this year as planned. A busy year at Maranello!

It was about time to make Ferrari’s original Portofino, launched in 2017, better. But for the safety of its entourage, the Italian automaker rolled out the evolution of its entry-level convertible GT car online on September 16, the first Ferrari ever to be revealed exclusively online. The M added to the new Portofino's name stands for modificata —Italian for modified — which features significant technological upgrades.

That M is all about evolution, the Portofino’s 3.9-litre V8 turbo has been boosted to 612hp (from 591hp), with a new eight-speed paddleshift gearbox (replacing a seven-speed unit) from the SF90 stradale (the first time a convertible Ferrari has used an 8-speed gearbox), and there’s a 5-position Manettino that features a new notch “Race”. Keen eyes will notice the refined air vents in its front bumper, and redesigned diffuser in its new rear bumper due to the new exhaust system.

As if this is not enough, Ferrari's design team, headed up by Flavio Manzoni, handcrafted a unique masterpiece entirely out of aluminium which took two years to conceive, for a ‘a discerning European client.’ Ferrari has a long history of creating one-off models of its existing supercars that you can only dream about, and the latest is this Ferrari Omologata based on the 812 Superfast.

Although it shares its windshield and its headlights with the model it's based on, the car is completely new. The car has a flat oval grille and rounded sections over the front fenders. At the back, you get a large rear spoiler to offer better downforce with a vented rear windshield, a tribute to retro sports cars and muscle cars.

The Omologata is the 10th front-engined, V12-powered one-off car that Ferrari has built since 2009 P450 Superfast Aperta which was created for Edward Walson and is based on the Ferrari 599.

The naturally-aspirated 6.5-liter V12 engine develop 789 horsepower and 530 pound-feet of torque, all of which are sent to the rear wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Ferrari even developed a new shade of red which is three layers of “Rosso Magma,” while the body is enhanced with special racing graphics to evoke Ferrari’s rich racing heritage. Inside, the leather/fabric seats are electric blue with 4-point racing harnesses, and a crackled-paint effect on the steering wheel and dashboard brings elements from Ferrari's race cars of the '50s and ‘60s into the 21st century.

We’d guess it’s a bit more than the 812 Superfast’s $340,000 starting price, but we’ll have to wait until it's displayed at the next Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance week for additional informations such as why the use of the emblem 7, which the owner may later shed light on its relevance.