Ferrari PH and Autostrada announces new partner and unveils the new Portofino

The country’s official Ferrari dealer Autostrada led by Wellington Soong and brothers Marc and Jason Soong unveiled the new Ferrari Portofino to media and VIP clients last night at The Cove Manila in Okada.  But what is significant about last night’s event was the announcement of Autostrada’s partnership with Udenna, led by Dennis A. Uy. Uy, a known Duterte ally and supporter hails from Davao and has many large corporations under the Udenna portfolio, including Phoenix Petroleum, one of the largest independent fuel chains in the country.

Although no details on the capital infusion and equity stake of Udenna into Autostrada, this new and strategic partnership will enable the Ferrari business to grow and compete against other luxury and supercar brands in the market. This very niche luxury sportscar brand requires very little introduction, with a racing pedigree and sometimes a wait list on its topline models and variants.

The Ferrari Portofino is the most powerful convertible car that Ferrari has ever produced. Hundreds of VIP guests including Ferrari owners and car collectors and members of the media went to see the unveiling. The Portofino is the new GT class supercar that combines luxury, refinement, versatility and performances. It had its global launch in Frankfurt last year and now it is on Philippine shores. The very first Portofino is a yellow colored one on display at the and is said to have a buyer already.

The Ferrari Portofino was named after one of the most attractive towns located in Riviera in the Liguria Region. Portofino has long been known to the world as a symbol of scenic beauty embracing elegance and unique nobility. Bearing the name of the town, the Ferrari Portofino has become the most versatile GT car.

Using Ferrari’s turbocharged V8 engine, it was awarded the International Engine of the Year in 2016 and 2017, propelling the car from 0-100km/h in just 3.5 seconds. The car has a two-box fastback configuration becomes a convertible a retractable hard top.