Exploring the Current Models of Ferrari: From the Grand Tourer Portofino to the Supercar SF90 Stradale

I’ve spent a good chunk of my adult life chasing down red cars with prancing horses on their noses. Ferrari isn’t just a badge; it’s an attitude. The cars feel alive, even when you nudge them through traffic at 18 mph behind a delivery truck. Over the last few months I’ve revisited a handful of Ferrari models—from the open-air Portofino to the electrified sledgehammer that is the SF90 Stradale—to see where each one fits in a real owner’s life. And yes, I took notes on the small stuff too: cupholders, road-trip civility, the way the steering tingles through your fingertips on a rough B-road. It’s not all dyno charts and lap times, promise.

Ferrari Portofino: The everyday grand tourer with a wicked right hook

The Ferrari Portofino is the one you take when date night might turn into an impromptu coastal blast. Roof down, V8 burbling, and a cabin that doesn’t punish you for choosing the scenic route home. Under the bonnet sits a 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 with 591 horsepower and 560 lb-ft. It’s properly quick—0–60 mph in 3.5 seconds, 199 mph flat out—but the surprise is how friendly it is. When I tried it on a broken stretch of highway, the adaptive dampers soothed the chatter without dulling the steering. Like driving in slippers that happen to sprint.

• Powertrain: 3.9L twin-turbo V8, 591 hp, 560 lb-ft
• Performance: 0–60 mph in 3.5s, 199 mph top speed
• Why it works: Comfortable ride, usable trunk (with the roof up), superb steering feel
• Quirk: The wind buffeting with side windows down can ruffle your passenger’s hairdo. Put the windows up—problem solved.

Ferrari 812 Superfast: A naturally aspirated V12 the way Nonna intended

Then there’s the Ferrari 812 Superfast, which is truth in advertising. A 6.5-liter V12 that howls to the heavens, 789 horsepower, and a throttle response so immediate it’s almost telepathic. I noticed right away how light the steering feels for a front-engined GT—Ferrari’s rear-wheel steering really hustles this big coupe through tight bends. If you’ve got a favorite mountain pass, this is your church. 0–60 mph in 2.9 seconds, 211 mph top speed, and a soundtrack that makes bystanders check their phones for a concert schedule.

• Powertrain: 6.5L V12, 789 hp, 530 lb-ft
• Performance: 0–60 mph in 2.9s, 211 mph top speed
• Why it works: One of the last great NA V12s; agile despite its size
• Quirk: Long hood is cinematic… and occasionally tricky to place in tight city garages. Valets will both fear and love you.

Ferrari 488 Pista: The track whisperer that talks with its hands

If you prefer your Ferrari 488 Pista with more apex hunting than boulevard cruising, this is your car. A 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 tuned to 711 horsepower and 568 lb-ft, and it’ll blitz 0–60 mph in 2.85 seconds. When I sampled one on a track day, it felt like the car knew the circuit better than I did—brakes that refuse to fade, aero that actually works, and traction that lets you carry absurd speed through third-gear sweepers. It’s intense. In a good way.

• Powertrain: 3.9L twin-turbo V8, 711 hp, 568 lb-ft
• Performance: 0–60 mph in 2.85s, 211 mph top speed
• Why it works: Track-tuned everything—brakes, aero, cooling
• Quirk: Ride is firm on broken city streets; your coffee will take it personally.

Ferrari SF90 Stradale: The hybrid that eats supercars for breakfast

The SF90 Stradale is Ferrari flexing its engineering muscles. A 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 teamed with electric motors for a combined 986 horsepower and 590 lb-ft. 0–60 mph in 2.5 seconds, 211 mph top speed, and the sort of instantaneous shove that rewrites your internal speedometer. In EV mode, I crept out of my neighborhood early one morning without waking the dog—then switched to Qualify mode, where it hits like a sledgehammer wrapped in carbon fiber.

• Powertrain: 4.0L twin-turbo V8 + hybrid assist, 986 hp, 590 lb-ft
• Performance: 0–60 mph in 2.5s, 211 mph top speed
• Why it works: Blistering pace with everyday stealth; the future without losing the Ferrari feel
• Quirk: So much tech that first-time users will spend a weekend learning the modes—worth it, but still.

Ferrari GTC4Lusso: The elegant four-seater you don’t need to apologize for

Want to bring friends, kids, or a golf bag without losing the magic? The Ferrari GTC4Lusso is your discreetly practical option. It’s a handsome shooting brake with a 6.3-liter V12 making 681 horsepower and 514 lb-ft. Ferrari quotes 0–60 mph in 3.4 seconds and a 208 mph top speed. I took one on a two-hour run to the countryside; the rear seats actually work for adults (short trips), and the cabin is quiet enough to hear the kids argue about playlists. Luxury SUV who?

• Powertrain: 6.3L V12, 681 hp, 514 lb-ft
• Performance: 0–60 mph in 3.4s, 208 mph top speed
• Why it works: Real 2+2 usability with proper Ferrari poise
• Quirk: The cargo lip is high; heavy suitcases become a couples’ workout.

Ferrari models at a glance: performance snapshot

How these Ferrari models stack up against rivals

Quick reality check. The Portofino goes head-to-head with cars like the Aston Martin DB11/DB12 and Porsche 911 Turbo S: the Ferrari feels lighter on its feet, less isolation booth, more conversation. The 812 Superfast’s natural rival is the Aston Martin DBS—both grand and glorious, but the Ferrari’s V12 revs with a wilder top-end. A McLaren 720S/750S matches the 488 Pista on pace, yet the Ferrari’s steering feedback is the talker here. And the SF90? That one stares down anything short of a hypercar—Lamborghini Revuelto included—with a smug, silent EV creep when it wants to be subtle.

Which Ferrari suits your life?

• Weekend escapes and daily civility: Portofino
• Epic cross-country blasts and V12 theater: 812 Superfast
• Track days and apex addiction: 488 Pista
• Ultimate pace with hybrid smarts: SF90 Stradale
• Friends, kids, and fast country lanes: GTC4Lusso

Honestly, I wasn’t sure at first whether the modern hybrid Ferrari would still feel, well, Ferrari. After a few hard laps in the SF90 and a sunset cruise in the Portofino, the answer’s clear: different flavors, same heartbeat. From the grand tourer Portofino to the hybrid supercar SF90 Stradale, Ferrari still knows how to make a car feel special the moment you prod that big red starter button.

FAQ: Ferrari models, ownership, and real-world stuff

Which Ferrari is best for daily driving?
The Portofino balances comfort and performance beautifully, with usable space and a compliant ride.

What’s the fastest Ferrari here from 0–60 mph?
The SF90 Stradale at 2.5 seconds. The 812 and Pista are right behind.

Can the GTC4Lusso actually carry adults in the back?
Yes, for shorter trips. The rear seats are genuinely usable, and the trunk is decent for a weekend away.

Is the 812 Superfast too much car for city use?
It’s big, but the steering is light and accurate. Give it some respect and it’s shockingly manageable.

Track day choice: 488 Pista or SF90?
The Pista if you want purity and feedback; the SF90 if you crave sheer speed and tech-driven grip.