Chrysler Lamborghini Portofino–No, This Is Not a ‘What If’ Render: Wicked Wednesday Presented by the All-New Nitto Recon Grappler™ A/T

Based on the Jalpa chassis, the ultimate mid-engined touring sedan back in 1987 was the Chrysler Lamborghini Portofino.

It may be long forgotten by many at this point but in 1987 Chrysler took over Lamborghini. Like many Hollywood marriages, it didn’t last very long or produce much. In 1994, Chrysler dumped Lamborghini and the companies went their separate ways. However, when the two companies were first hitched, they wanted to show the world what they were capable of. They did this at the 1987 Frankfurt Motor Show when they revealed the Chrysler Lamborghini Portofino. It was described at the time by Chrysler as the ultimate mid-engine touring sedan.

This week’s “Wicked Wednesday” presented by Nitto features this one-off Portofino concept car. The car was based on the Lamborghini Jalpa. The Portofino was essentially a four-door stretched version of the Jalpa. The car is largely forgotten today and of course never saw production. However, it was a pretty extreme concept in 1987 and worth taking a fresh look at nearly 35 years after it was born.

Just a Jalpa?

The Chrysler Lamborghini Portofino used more than just the chassis from the Lamborghini Jalpa. The concept car also borrowed the 3.5-liter V8 engine and 5-speed manual gearbox. The V8 pumped out 255 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque. Did you ever doubt that we are currently living in the greatest moment in automotive history?

If so, just look at the kind of meager power a lot of V8 engines were putting out in 1987. It would take about three of these Jalpa engines to match a modern-day Hellcat. In any event, the rear-wheel drive Portofino was supposedly able to hit a 149-mph top speed.

Is that a Dodge Intrepid?

The concept car was a radical design study. If you think scissor doors are cool, then you must love the Portofino. All four doors on this sedan open skyward to expose an interior view that is unobscured by any B-pillar. So while at first glance you may think of a four-door Countach, a closer look reveals bits that defined far more pedestrian cars. That rear wing would later be found on the Dodge Stealth.

The front fascia of the Portofino also made its way onto the Stealth. That fancy paint color was called Char-Gold and would later become an option on the Dodge Intrepid and Chrysler Concord. The overall Portofino body itself eventually would morph into the Dodge Intrepid. It was the beginning of the cab-forward design approach that Chrysler would follow for years.

Interior Details

The exterior of the Portofino was certainly bold, and it carried over to the inside. The interior leather was a mix of blue and yellow. No boring black and gray here. The gauges and controls were angled towards the driver for that extra sporty feel. The steering wheel proudly displayed the Pentastar badge with the raging bull Lamborghini logo inside. Rear passengers were divided by the center console that ran from front to back. It was spacious and comfortable considering this was a supercar concept, and in 1987 most supercars did not haul four people around.

What Did Lamborghini Get Out of This?

Chrysler never built the Portofino, but it did contribute to several future models as noted previously. But Lamborghini did not come away from the Chrysler ownership empty handed. Lamborghini needed a follow up to the outrageous Countach. And they got it in the form of the equally outrageous Diablo. Without the support of the folks and funds from Chrysler the world may not have ever seen this iconic supercar. Take a close look at the interior of the Diablo. Anything look familiar? The Portofino interior heavily influenced the design of the Diablo interior.

What Happed to the Portofino Itself?

The concept car was destroyed while in transport back in 1991. However, Chrysler had the car restored and it now resides at the Chrysler World Headquarters and Tech Center in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The concept itself may have never made it to production, but it influenced several important vehicles that did. For that, we owe the Portofino a debt of gratitude.

Photos: Chrysler

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Joe Kucinski

Joe has been obsessed with cars since he got his very first Matchbox toy in the 1970s. In 2003, he found a new obsession in track days that led to obtaining his SCCA competition license in 2015. In 2019, he became a certified driving instructor for the National Auto Sport Association. His love for all things four wheels has never wavered, whether it's driving some of the best cars in the world on the racetrack, tackling 2,000-mile road trips in 2-seat sports cars or being winched off the side of a mountaintop in a Jeep. Writing for the suite of Internet Brands Auto Communities sites, including Rennlist.com, Ford Truck Enthusiasts, 6 Speed and more allows him to share that knowledge and passion with others.