More rendered speculation: Dino
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Along comes Infomotori to throw accelerant on the raging fire of Dino speculation. The return of the Dino has been rumored far and wide, and we'd all love to see a Ferrari that may be a little more obtainable for us plebians. Andrea Rosati has dreamed up a car that looks an awful lot like what we've already seen in the form of the 420 Dino. One welcome change from 99% of Ferrari pictures out there is Rosati's use of giallo instead of the ubiquitous rosso. Speculative minds churning feverishly, Infomotori goes on to imagine a 300hp V6 displacing 3.0 liters offering up performance on par with the Porsche Boxster.
True or not, the idea of an entry-level Ferrari never fails to excite. It's not the flat-out performance, but the entire package. Sumptuous old-world interiors, unabashed style (sometimes good, sometimes bad, always engaging), glorious sounds from the machinery -- these cars are not about shuttling you around from chore to chore. Ferraris are about the the goods under the skin. We have no doubt that the new Dino will be the bottom of the range should it ever emerge, but there will be nothing cheap or second-rate about it. Every marque needs to have an entry point, and a Dino would likely be in $100,000 territory. Still, it'd be cheaper than its stablemates - and there is no such thing as a cheap Ferrari. A "project car" Mondial will still run you 10 grand.
[Source: Infomotori]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
LoneWolf 8:29AM (2/25/2007)
The Front looks loke a tuned Solstice.
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tiago do vale 9:24AM (2/25/2007)
I wonder what those air-ducts are doing in the rear, if the engine is in the front...
It's just a mix of all current Ferraris, and Rosati doesn't have any credibility... to my eyes.
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James Sonne 10:14AM (2/25/2007)
Wait... so a 300 hp entry level Ferrari will compete with a $50,000 Porsche Boxster at $100,000? Sounds like a losing proposition to me.
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art 1:29PM (2/25/2007)
Looks better than a F430 to me....
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gerard Vandenberg 10:58AM (2/25/2007)
This car should be a TVR, you know?
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spaceweasel 9:44PM (2/25/2007)
#3 - They seem to be doing alright with a 180k 430 competing against a 90k 911...
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Phred 11:19AM (2/25/2007)
If it was really to be a Dino, it would not have a Ferrari badge.
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MK 11:41AM (2/25/2007)
I agree with #2. This looks like a mix of recent Ferrari models. 430/360 in the rear, 612/599 in the front, and those hood slots from the 246. Though, I don't see anything from the 308 Dino. Regardless, it looks great!
Also, That 300hp number seems too low. Most Acura, BMW, Infiniti/Nissan, Lexus V6's hover around 300hp. The Nissan GTR is supposed to push (2x boosted) their VQ to the 400hp+ range for ~$70-80k.
Finally, I think it's a BAD idea for Ferrari to come out with an affordable/entry-level model. Takes away from the mystique. But IF they release one, stick to history and make it a low displacement mid engined V6, in the same performance level as the 911, and for god sakes... limit production to justify the price (like only 246 examples).
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Felix 1:32PM (2/25/2007)
My 30K Z has 300hp. I understand some people are willing to go the extra 20K for a boxster because it drives better...but damn.. 100K for 300 hp sounds like a seriously bad idea. Give it 400ish horses and lightweight, then set it as a high class rival to the 911. Oh wait...maserati already has a car like that. hmmm this probably wont get built.
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Brad 1:58PM (2/25/2007)
". Wait... so a 300 hp entry level Ferrari will compete with a $50,000 Porsche Boxster at $100,000? Sounds like a losing proposition to me."
Hahaha, and at $100,000 Porsche has some amazing cars that will run every day of the year reliably.
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Tarditi 3:21PM (2/25/2007)
At 300 HP it's more along the Boxster S/Cayman S lines, actually
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Carletti 3:52PM (2/25/2007)
This automobile would, in all probability, follow a mid-engine rear-wheel-drive configuration to follow in the steps of the old Dino. I think some have mentioned the low figures and I am in agreement with that approach for the primary reason of brand dilution. For when you have a manufacturer that is, largely universally, recognized for such contemporary masterpieces as of course the Enzo and the F430, any hint of "approachability" inevitably mires the mystique of the illustrious Ferrari label. For a Ferrari, as contentious as this may come off, is above all other makes. A domesticated Ferrari is not meant to compete with mainstream labels such like Mercedes-Benz and/or Porsche, for example. A Ferrari is in a class of exactly one. And if the new Dino hints at competing with the mainstream makes, then I would contend that Ferrari is risking challenging the foundations of its long-established prestige. For Ferrari is not like Porsche, and I don't think that the company can retain the stratospheric level of prestige it has if it A) either increases production or B) prices any car in today's market near $100,000.
In addition, a V6 for a Ferrari sounds (literally) like a cost-cutting maneuver. Moreover, 300bhp is also a bit ordinary nowadays. But the illustrations of the Dino, itself, are just ill man. I admire the front end (because of the classic Ferrari stance and its homage to the old Dino) and the body and rear of this car are just as tight fitting and gorgeous. And although the car looks compact in my eyes, these pictures adequately prove just how stunning the new Dino could be.
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Tina Silva 4:54PM (2/25/2007)
I agree with post #7. It looks superb!! The colour is awesome and you'd be sure to stand out anywhere driving that car.
Tina Silva
http://blog.pimentels-photography.com
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Bill Hancock 5:09PM (2/25/2007)
I dont know where people get off saying it doesnt look anything like the Dino...maybe not the 308 but it has a lot in common with the 246 in my garage. The side vents are identical to the 246 ones and will probably feed a mid engine...if its not a mid engine then there is no place putting the Dino namesake on it. The only thing i dont like is the front end and the interior...i would hate to see ferrari make it an affordable ferrari, like #11 said it would lose its mystique. But we will just have to wait and see what it actually looks like
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nismohks 6:15PM (2/25/2007)
i like the rx8 or rx350 look-a-like rims. that's REALLY ferrari like.
besides that looks great, except the nose seems a bit awkward
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NoNameDenton 7:47PM (2/25/2007)
Put me down for one in black with custom black head and tail lights
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bobby d 1:35AM (2/26/2007)
I'm going to paint my RX-8 fly yellow and smile because I saved $80,000.
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jj 2:51AM (2/26/2007)
If you think your RX8 competes with any kind of Ferrari, in any way except for poor MPG, you're a clueless clown.
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bobby d 8:26AM (2/26/2007)
Huh, really? Maybe you should tell Mike Wood that, clown-boy:
http://www.sfrscca.com/solo2/Results/2007/Championship/round02_lists.html#oa
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