Ferrari Portofino for Export from Dubai

Ferrari Portofino for export from Dubai: original car or Portofino M, the question that decides the deal

The Ferrari Portofino is a front-engine convertible with a folding hard top and a twin-turbo V8, built as the easy-going car in Ferrari's range. For an export buyer, one question matters before all others: is it the original Portofino or the later Portofino M? The two look similar but differ in power, gearbox and equipment, and listings often use the shorter name for both. A buyer searching for a Ferrari Portofino for export from Dubai should settle that point at the start, because it changes what the car is, what it is worth and what a workshop at the destination will need.

Portofino is named after the small harbour town on the Italian coast, and the car matches the mood: relaxed, stylish and meant for weekends. Gulf owners often buy it as a second or third Ferrari. If you want a car that stays inside the UAE, the used Ferrari Portofino page for Dubai lists cars sold for local use. The ones on this page are offered abroad, and what follows explains how to judge them.

The 2017 launch and the Portofino M update in 2020

Ferrari showed the Portofino at the Frankfurt motor show in September 2017. It replaced the California T and kept the same idea, a two-plus-two convertible with a retractable hardtop, while improving the structure, the steering and the cabin. Power came from a 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 producing 600 metric horsepower.

In 2020 Ferrari revised the car and renamed it the Portofino M, where the M stands for modificata, the Italian word for modified. Power rose to 620 horsepower, the old seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox gave way to an eight-speed unit, and the dashboard and steering wheel were updated. A new driving mode selector with a Race setting arrived, and the front of the car changed slightly.

Both versions are now out of the current range. This split is the thing to confirm in any listing. A seller who writes Portofino M should be able to say so on the registration card, and a seller who just writes Portofino might be selling either. Compare the VIN and the build date and, if in doubt, ask a Ferrari dealer to decode it.

How the two Portofinos differ underneath

The original car has the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, which is the same type used across many Ferraris of the period. It is smooth in traffic and quick on the road, though its ratios are shorter than the later unit. The M's eight-speed gearbox comes from the SF90 and has a wider spread of ratios, helping both acceleration and relaxed cruising.

The M also has a revised intake and exhaust arrangement with a new engine management setup that gives its extra power. A wind deflector was redesigned to cut turbulence in the cabin when the roof is down. The infotainment layout was also improved, and the passenger can use a screen on the dashboard to see driving data if the option is fitted.

None of this makes the original poor. It is still a quick, comfortable and well-balanced car. What it means is that the two are priced separately, the M sits higher, and a buyer who pays M money for an original car has lost money. The engine plate, the gearbox type on the registration and the badges at the rear confirm which it is.

The cabin explains much of the appeal. The dashboard is split into a driver zone and a passenger zone, the seats are generously padded for a sports car and the steering wheel carries the start button and drive-mode controls. Ferrari offered a choice of leather colours, and the lighter shades show wear fastest, particularly on the driver's side bolster and around the gear selector. Pictures taken in daylight tell you more than studio shots.

Ride quality is the character of the car. The magnetic dampers soften it enough for rough roads and firm it for quick drives, and the steering is lighter than in a mid-engine Ferrari. That is a pleasant combination until a damper fails, so ask whether any have been replaced and listen for knocks in a test video.

Roof, seats and space in a 2+2 convertible

The roof is a folding metal hardtop that tucks into the boot. Ferrari quotes it as opening in around fourteen seconds and being operable while moving at low speed. With the roof up the boot is practical, and with it down luggage space shrinks, so a weekend trip for two works better than a long family journey.

The seating layout is two-plus-two. Rear seats exist and can carry small children or bags, though they are not for adults on a long drive. Many owners fold down the rear backrest and use the space for luggage instead. If you plan to export the car to a market where people value four proper seats, this is not the right Ferrari.

Roof checks are worth the time. Ask the seller to film it operating, and check that it seals correctly when closed. Ask whether any water has entered the cabin, and whether the owner has ever seen the roof warning light. A roof fault on a modern Ferrari is a significant repair, and parts take time to reach many countries.

What sets the price of a Portofino sold for export

The first factor is which Portofino it is. The M commands more than the original. The second is the usual pair of mileage and history. A car with its full Ferrari dealer record, evidence of recall work and no unexplained gaps is worth more than a lower-mileage car with a thin file.

Options come third. The passenger display, special wheels, carbon trim, upgraded leather and the lifting system for the nose all add appeal. Paint colour also plays a role, with classic reds and dark shades easy to place and unusual colours harder or better depending on taste.

The fourth factor is condition. Look at the wheels, the front bumper, the leather on the driver's side and the soft parts of the roof area. These are the first places a used Portofino shows its history.

Last is the cost of delivery. A convertible Ferrari travels best in a closed container, and an insurer will usually ask for a condition report. Get shipping quotes early, because the bill can differ a lot between ports.

Gulf-specification Portofinos and cars from other markets

A Portofino sold through the regional dealer is a Gulf car, with cooling and air conditioning tuned for hot conditions and a service record kept by Ferrari's network. Many Gulf cars have light mileage, but long summers can still age rubber and plastic, so check seals and trim.

Cars made for Europe, the United States and Asia vary in some respects. Lights, reflectors, speedometers and emissions hardware differ, and some cars with those differences have been brought into the UAE privately. They are not necessarily worse, though they can bring extra paperwork.

Quote the VIN when ordering parts, since an M and an original Portofino use different components in some areas. Ask a Ferrari parts desk to confirm what applies to your car before you order anything.

How to buy a Ferrari Portofino in Dubai for export, step by step

Begin with the rules at home. Find out the age limit, the emissions standard, whether left-hand drive is permitted and which papers are needed at the port.

Every seller on this marketplace is a verified UAE seller. You deal with them directly, we take no commission and we do not inspect, ship or guarantee the car.

Ask for the registration card, a clear picture of the VIN, the service history and photographs of the engine bay, the underside and the roof in both positions. Arrange an inspection by a Ferrari specialist at your own cost. Ask how and when the UAE registration will be cancelled and when you will receive the export certificate.

A forwarder who ships high-value cars will advise on the loading method and the bill of lading wording. Sign a short agreement that includes the VIN. Keep the last payment until you hold the documents.

Think about spares and service before you ship. Ferrari dealers in many regions can look after a Portofino, but waiting times for parts and software updates differ, and the nearest authorised workshop might be a long drive away. If you plan to resell the car abroad, an official service stamp from the Gulf dealer is a selling point that a local buyer can understand at once.

Age limits, emissions rules and what to ask before paying

The Portofino dates from 2017 at the earliest, so most age rules will not block it. A few countries count from the first registration date and others from the build date. Ask the authority which, and what documents prove it.

Emissions rules for a turbocharged V8 vary a lot. Some places add taxes by engine size or output, and some require equipment to meet current standards. Check with the customs office and do not rely on the seller.

UAE cars all have the steering wheel on the left. If your country registers only right-hand-drive cars, a Portofino cannot be registered there.

Before you pay, ask: Does the car have unpaid finance or fines? Do the VIN and papers agree? Was there any accident or paintwork? Is it an original Portofino or a Portofino M? When was the roof last serviced? Can the seller supply what the forwarder asks for?

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