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Ferrari planning new entry-level model?
With the demise of Ferrari's popular 360 Modena model, speculation is that the Maranello miracle-workers are developing a - dare we say it? - "entry-level" V8 2+2 model to slot in below the F430.
The 3.6 liter 360 Modena was Ferrari's volume-seller, with nearly 18,000 units produced between 1999 and 2004.
Automotive News and Autoweek say that the new V8 model is expected to debut in Europe as a hard-top convertible 2+2 in 2008, with a U.S. launch likely for 2009. A 2+2 V8 coupe could follow in 2010 or 2011. Ferrari's last 2+2 V8 model was the Mondial, which ceased production in
The F430 upmarket V8 isn't going away - the popular coupe and Spyder models will get a redesign in 2009.
[Source: Automotive News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
DPC car videos 3:15PM (8/31/2006)
Its just a matter of time that we will also see a Ferrari SUV :)
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Dan from Delaware 3:30PM (8/31/2006)
I thought Maserati was the entry-level Ferrari.
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Final Destruction of Ferrari Brand 3:35PM (8/31/2006)
This move will destroy ferrari and dilute its brand. Ferrari should keep F430 and its successors as an entry level model.
Ferrari should use only V10 and V12 for its cars and leave V8 for maserati.
If this prescription is not followed, ferrari will eventually ruin itself forever.
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Toolz 3:40PM (8/31/2006)
#3, How many have you owned or do you currently own?
Just curious or is the brand already too destroyed for you to consider purchasing one?
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James 3:47PM (8/31/2006)
umm, the Mondial ceased production in 1989.
And it was crap.
A JZA70 Supra Turbo (MKIII) was a better grand tourer than a Mondial.
So, hopefully this one will be better.
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G. Snyder 4:02PM (8/31/2006)
#3 - i d i o t.
Though technically a Fiat, the Dino turned out to be a great car and one of the more highly sought after Ferrari's today.
The Mondial was somewhat shunned by the traditional Ferrari drivers (in the same way that 911 drivers hated that superior handling 944), but was not a bad car either. Recall that during the time period of the Mondial, Ferraris were particularly tempermental pieces with build quality issues and no attention to ergonomics, so many whatever the Supra lover above has to say against the Mondial would likely apply to most Ferrari's of that time period.
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JG Hitzert 4:12PM (8/31/2006)
Hey Lambo built a SUV all through the eighties, Hummers ripped off their look from them. As far as a entry level Ferrari, the Dino is an icon and it was an entry level car. You know what they say about opinions.
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dave 4:05PM (8/31/2006)
#3: Ferarri has had a "brand-diluting" entry-level car since 1967 ... they seem to be doing just fine.
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=116297
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FM 4:07PM (8/31/2006)
I rather save for an F430.
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Name calling will not help 4:08PM (8/31/2006)
To #6.
You called me an idiot. You have to learn manners and be civil to others. Those who read your post will not be impressed.
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Spectacular Bid 4:13PM (8/31/2006)
While I wouldn't say it dilutes the brand, the benefit for an entry Ferrari [below the 430] is debatable. How many hundreds of millions of Euro for new tooling, training, and other resources would be required and what would the return be.
Yes Ferrari could slap their badge on a children's tricycle and it would sell, but why do it for quick bucks. The Porsche 924 might have introduced new buyers to brand ownership, but they were nothing more then Audi/VW parts with the premium badge. The Ferrari brass doesn't exactly boast about having made the 308GT/4 (Bertone styled - not the 308 of Pinnin) today.
In fact there is a lot of risk to the brand. At a $70,000 price point, for example, the competition is fierce and putting in a car that might lag behind a Jaguar but costs the same more won't help the name Ferrari.
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Jaymez 5:48PM (8/31/2006)
The 360 is the only Ferrari I've seen that I'd like in my driveway. Most others are too flashy for my tastes.
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Fabulo 4:25PM (8/31/2006)
Among the Ferrari of the time, I remember the Mondial was ugly as a butt. Still is.
Whatever Ferrari makes, it'll sell faster than they can make. Ferrari doesn't make duds. There's always a waiting list. The only thing that can kill them is Fiat.
Porsche had the 924, that did not kill them. They have a SUV with a VW platform, that's not exactly pure sport, and it's still not killing them.
Entry level Ferrari is a good thing. But don't worry it still will be overpriced.
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Jeff 4:29PM (8/31/2006)
"3. This move will destroy ferrari and dilute its brand. Ferrari should keep F430 and its successors as an entry level model.
Ferrari should use only V10 and V12 for its cars and leave V8 for maserati."
I didn't bother to correct you capitalization errors, but you say Ferrari should only use V10s and V12s while also saying they should keep the F430, a V8. Which is it?
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Blob 4:30PM (8/31/2006)
Yay, a 3 series (bmw) Ferrari! If Ferrari does this it will seriously damage their image.
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Name calling will not help 4:48PM (8/31/2006)
To #13.
F430 should change the engine to V10 with 550 hp.
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Dude 5:20PM (8/31/2006)
I just can't believe that they sold nearly 10 360s per day over that period. Wow. No wonder they can afford an F1 team.
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Spectacular Bid 11:56AM (9/01/2006)
Quote: "I just can't believe that they sold nearly 10 360s per day over that period. Wow. No wonder they can afford an F1 team."
Afford is an interesting term. It is certainly an interlocked part of the company but no profits come from F1 and frankly almost no profits come from the auto making side either. (An exception being the FXX as the tooling in large part was already paid for with the Enzo program) Almost all of the money made by Ferrari is, year after year, from merchandising.
From the clothing to Barbie dolls to luggage to pens and models, that is where the money is. Licensing the name will always bring in the real money. F1 keeps the immediate name recognition going in large part and pumping in hundreds of millions a year into it keeps it linked to winning.
Of course some of us recall the early to mid 1980's when the F1 team sucked, the GT racers were nonexistent, and the road cars while stylish were not exactly head of the class.
While the factory doesn't see any money from it I'd prefer to view the F355 cars as being the best entry level Ferrari. Used ones can easily be had, they are still world class, and most buyers today really couldn't hack a temperamental older Ferrari like a 512BBi or even a 328. I won't mention the 348 TS/TB cars as they were some of the worst cars made by the factory in recent years.
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RDL 6:03PM (8/31/2006)
"17. The 360 is the only Ferrari I've seen that I'd like in my driveway. Most others are too flashy for my tastes.
Posted at 4:15PM on Aug 31st 2006 by Jaymez"
I find it a bit too feminine for my taste.
But, gimme an Enzo, and I'll take it, oh yeah!
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ezbst 8:37PM (8/31/2006)
Hey Autoblog,
The Mondial ceased production in 1993 not 1999.
It was also the worst Ferrari ever made, at least in my opinion, anything they come up with will be an improvement. But hey, entry-level in Ferrari terms is still far from reality for most of us.
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