SPY SHOTS: Ferrari "Dino"
Ferrari has been swearing up and down that they're not working on a new "baby Ferrari,",one that would pick up where the Dino line left off and slot in below the F430 range. "It'd dilute the brand," they say. "It'd compete with products from corporate cousins Alfa Romeo and Maserati," they claim. But this is another case of actions speaking louder than words, and the boys in red have been caught red-handed as paparazzo extraordinaire Hans G. Lehmann has caught a test mule tooling around near the factory in Maranello.
The mule is wearing F430 skins, but Lehmann gives us a few clues from his close encounter. First, the engine note reportedly sounds noticeably less sharp than the F430's. The new model is expected to use a 400-hp V8, rather than a V6 like the original Dino. It also won't likely carry the Dino nameplate, which was a sub-brand named after Enzo's late son Dino. Expect a more alphanumeric designation, possibly joined by an evocative and historic Italian racing name.
The prototype also has front fenders slightly wider than the F430's. There are some other differences discernable around the rear axle and gearbox, and because the prototype uses a different cooling system, the mule's side rocker panels are missing.
Several competitors the new "baby Ferrari" is aimed at have been spied going in and out of the factory as well, including the BMW M6 and Aston Martin V8 Vantage. Price is anticipated to come in around 100-110k euros, as compared to the F430's ?160k sticker price. Sources suggest Ferrari could easily find buyers for 4000 new Dinos each year, with an expected 2009 release date.
Styling's a bit of a question mark, with both Ferrari and Pininfarina design chiefs changing around, but we hope the new car will feature lines befitting the Prancing Horse.
Related posts:
(Follow the link for more spy shots.)
[Source: Winding Road]
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
_thumbnail.jpg "2011 Audi A8: Live from Miami")
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
johnny 5:57PM (11/01/2006)
I wish it had a high tec V6.
2.8 Liter Tripple Over Head Cam (TOHC) 36 Valve Engine.
Making 350hp and 240 torque.
that would be great.
4.0 V8 is big heavy and nothing special.
Reply
fordman 6:10PM (11/01/2006)
V6 all the way. Thats how dino would have wanted it.
Reply
Tiago do Vale 6:26PM (11/01/2006)
The AutoBild group is stating that this car will be labeled Dino, and not Ferrari. "Dino, by Ferrari" to be more specific. It won't have the prancing horse or the Ferrari logo, it will have a "C-C" top, and a Maserati cousin...
Reply
Alain 7:46PM (11/01/2006)
i want one cuz its name is soo cool, it reminds me of the flinstones.
Reply
MikeW 9:26PM (11/01/2006)
BMW tried triple camshafts in F1 racing. No advantages over conventional 5 valve heads with two camshafts.
'Oval' pistons with 3 intake/3 exhaust and two spark plugs would be cool.
Ferrari needs a double clutch transmission, 8 forward gears, 2 reverse.
http://www.auto-innovations.com/site/images/piston-oval.jpg
Reply
Andy 1:43PM (11/02/2006)
There is only an F430 and a poorly altered image of a 599 in those shots. As for the Dino line, the F430 is from the Dino line. The Dino 308 GT4 had a mid-mounted V-8 from the 246 series' V-6. The pricing for the entry-level Ferraris just got out of hand in the 1980s and has continued to do so.
Reply
John Bryans Fontaine 11:50PM (11/25/2006)
I have seen some images on the Web of the possible next Dino, and I wish that Ferrari would use the Mark Stehrenberger design from a Motor Trend article called 'Future Cars Wish List':
http://www.motortrend.com/future/concept_cars/112_0401_fwish
Mr. Stehrenberger's Ferrari is named the '350 Dino' and it is a '$60,000-$80,000 mid-engined, steel-bodied alternative to a plain-Jane Porsche 911. Power(ed) with the lower-output (read: "less expensive") version of the 3.6L V8'
I think that this Dino looks better than what Ferrari appears to be creating.
http://www.motortrend.com/future/concept_cars/112_0401_fwish/photo_02.html
Reply
Ezekiel 11:53PM (12/08/2006)
I think Ferrai is getting to greedy and forgetting about what being a super car is all about..being exclusive...not to mention it is fighting too many wars on too many levels..people may begin to get ferrari-ed out. If the Dino is made again i think it should claim the Ferrari badge..because it is made up by Enzo Ferrari himself and is essentialy a ferrari! ..and no front engine nonsense, why cant we stick to rear engine? and why not make a car that was crafted to extract every thrill possible from your body while at the same time being resonably priced and PROMPTLY delivered without delay ..Ferrari has waiting list longer than satans criminal record and thats just ridiculous...
Lamborghini has a shorter waiting list and is still sticking to being exclusive and not overdoing it..maybe Ferrari should follow its example..
Reply