Ferrari Portofino M vs. Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Roadster

A quick look at the raw numbers confirms what most auto enthusiasts might assume: the Ferrari offers vastly superior performance to the Mercedes-Benz. This is clear once you get behind the wheel of either, of course, but even a cursory glance at the specs of each vehicle makes it apparent.

In terms of raw power, the Portofino M 3.9L V8 Twin-Turbo engine produces 612 hp and 561 lb-ft of torque. The GT Roadster’s 4.0L V8 gives you less power despite its greater displacement, offering only 523 hp and 494 lb-ft of torque. This power disparity has real-world consequences, too: while the Ferrari Portofino M can jump from a standstill to 60 mph in 3.45 seconds and reach a top speed of 200 mph, the Mercedes AMG GT Roadster takes 3.7 seconds to reach 60 mph and can only manage a top speed of 193 mph. It may not sound like a big difference, but it feels like an eternity on the track.

What makes a Ferrari a Ferrari is about more than what’s under the hood: it’s the thoughtful, elegant design that’s gone into the vehicle’s svelte body to maximize its aerodynamic efficiency and make it the envy of the road from Indianapolis to Milwaukee.

There is a harmony and a balance to the design of the Portofino M that the AMG GT Roadster doesn’t offer. The Mercedes-Benz has a brutishly large front end, giving the vehicle an unbalanced appearance — a stark contrast to the Portofino. But the Ferrari’s advantage here is about more than just aesthetics: it’s a masterwork of aerodynamic engineering. The M’s tail is more compact than the standard Portofino’s due to a new exhaust system that’s allowed for the removal of the silencer assembly, for instance; the new rear diffuser is now completely separate from the bumper, allowing it to be made of carbon fiber; and the front bumper also incorporates new air intakes.