The on again off again entry-level Ferrari is back in the headlines, this time rumored to be making a showing at September's Frankfurt Auto Show, which is shaping up to be one of the hottest shows for sports car fans. German magazine AutoZeitung is betting that a new model to be called the Dino will be on display, a car designed to rival the Porsche 911 and Aston Martin V8 Vantage.
The Dino will likely feature a 400-hp mid-mounted V8 engine fed with cold air via two large inlets on the rear fenders. Top speed should be in excess of 185 mph with the 0-62 mph taking roughly four seconds. Additional features would be an F1-style gearbox, carbon-fiber brakes and a lightweight composite body. Adding to the speculation, Ferrari could also reveal the upcoming F430 Challenge Stradale in Frankfurt, as hinted by its Chairman Luca di Montezemolo earlier in the year.
In response, arch rival Lamborghini may unveil its own entry-level model with a new Gallardo V8 that was spotted recently by spy photographers circling the Nurburgring, as well as a Murciélago Superleggera seen in recent spy shots. In all, there's reported to be up to 22 different sports cars at the Frankfurt show, so if you're a car nut you better start saving those euros and taking German classes.
[Source: Auto Zeitung]
2010 Chevrolet Camaro priced: LS $22,995, SS $30,995
BREAKING: GM and Chrysler talking about merger
Spy Shots: Nissan 370Z again, with interior shots
2010 Mazda3 unveiled ahead of LA Auto Show
Spy Shots: Nissan 370Z caught undisguised
Knight Rider: The Liveblog -- Season 1, Episode 3
In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Mazda RX-8 R3, return of the "hummer"
In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Chevy Corvette Z06
Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy
Paris 2008: Le Day 1 Wrapup
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
bmoredlj @ Jun 21st 2007 12:40PM
"designed to rival the Porsche 911..."
...in price too, perhaps?
ruggels @ Jun 21st 2007 3:24PM
I'm still confused too, why would ferrari go after porsche and audi (the r8 is now a part of the 911 vocabulary as a natural competitor). The amount of billionaires in the world just keep increasing, and with all the merchandising ferrari does, it's not like they're hurting for money.
That said, the Dino is one of my all time favorite cars, ever.
ruggels @ Jun 21st 2007 3:24PM
I'm still confused too, why would ferrari go after porsche and audi (the r8 is now a part of the 911 vocabulary as a natural competitor). The amount of billionaires in the world just keep increasing, and with all the merchandising ferrari does, it's not like they're hurting for money.
That said, the Dino is one of my all time favorite cars, ever.
doglet @ Jun 21st 2007 12:45PM
the engine is going to be in the front, not the rear/mid. its going to cost significantly more than a 911. probably around $120k
Pouya @ Jun 21st 2007 6:55PM
You do know that the BASE price of a Porsche 911 turbo is ~$123,000, right? Price as tested is much higher than that if you want any of the very expensive options. For example: carbon-ceramic brakes ($8840), optional adaptive bucket seats ($1145), leather package ($430), metallic paint ($2380), Sport Chrono package ($1840), etc.
Steve C @ Jun 21st 2007 12:54PM
Not interested.
I used to own a Dino 246GTS, my favorite car ever. What made it a great car was: mid-engined, light, relatively low horsepower (200 HP V6) -- therefore very well balanced and not expensive.
To hear the target is the 911 or Aston and they're stuffing a 400 HP V8 in it is very disappointing. Too heavy, too expensive.
What I would have loved to have seen is the Ferrari version of a Lotus Exige.
Steve @ Jun 21st 2007 1:02PM
Entry Level and Ferrari just are not two terms that go together.
jp Rowan @ Jun 21st 2007 1:28PM
This is going to sell like the mad, but I don't know if Ferrari is use to owner putting 15K miles on their cars per year. The bills are going to pile up if they build them like they currently build the more expensive models. But a 100,000 V8 Ferrari that looks like the renderings...that would be great.
Kit @ Jun 21st 2007 1:31PM
Ferrari needs to have some sort of product priced below the f430. Jalopnik is putting the new CS around $270k. The replacment for the f430 won't be getting any cheaper. There's a lot of market space below those numbers but still above 100k.
Ferrari plays the supply/demand game better than anyone, but there's no reason to restrict your customer base just to those who are willing to shell out a quarter mil.
John Burns @ Jun 21st 2007 2:01PM
It's not really a Dino unless it has a mid mounted V6! Enzo and his son will both be rolling in their graves if this new car has a V8 and is named/marketed as a Dino.
RG @ Jun 21st 2007 3:10PM
Something tells me that Enzo started rolling over in his grave when they started selling Ferrari Barbies and the Ferrari Amusement Park was announced.
Andy @ Jun 21st 2007 3:19PM
I'm with Steve C about the Lotus dream. To have a compact mid-engine Ferrari with a curb weight under 2,600 lbs. would be perfect...perfect as long as it didn't look like the F430 or the 612. The 911 benchmark is used broadly to target the same exotic car audience that would buy a Carrera. The Vantage costs $110,000, and the R8 is estimated to be around the same. The sad thing about this is that if Ferrari does build a lightweight $120,000 car, dealers will tack on $50,000 and droves of Hollywoood poseurs and spoiled Beverly Hills bimbos will suck it up as they do the F430.
RG @ Jun 21st 2007 3:29PM
I wonder if they would though, because this isnt a "Ferrari" perse, it is a Dino. I would think the badge whores would rather get a used Ferrari 360 than a new Dino.
John Bryans Fontaine @ Jun 21st 2007 5:36PM
I hope that Ferrari creates a new Dino. If they should, perhaps they might study the concept drawn by Mark Stehrenberger for Motor Trend:
http://www.motortrend.com/future/concept_cars/112_0401_fwish/photo_02.html
http://www.motortrend.com/future/concept_cars/112_0401_fwish
This is the best looking update of the 246 Dino that I've ever seen. And if they should follow with a Spyder version, look out F430!
BrentR @ Jun 22nd 2007 12:06AM
I just saw these pics of a Dino concept and the article says they are by Ferrari,
http://www.desktopmachine.com/press/138/Ferrari_Dino_Concept//10363/
I for one would like to see this at Frankfurt.
Pouya @ Jun 22nd 2007 6:07AM
Wow, that is pretty hot. However, I am not sure how reliable the claim that Ferrari made that 3D model is. My gut tells me not very reliable. Since Ferrari has been officially denying the possibility of a Dino and Ferrari is secretive about upcoming models, I find it difficult to believe that detailed 3D models such as those would be published on some random website. In addition, that model has Ferrari badges on it, when the original Dino, and presumably any new Dino, would not.
Pouya @ Jun 22nd 2007 6:13AM
Here are some more designs from the same artist:
http://ugursahin1234.deviantart.com/gallery/
naggs @ Jun 23rd 2007 5:20AM
ferrari will never go below $100k. where they are now, they have no competition, nothing comes close to the driving experience of a modern ferrari. if they go to low, what happens when the $90k lotus fighter is no better than a lotus. what happens when the cayman fighter is no better than the cayman? it would do irreperable damage to the brand. better to stay exclusive.
they would to wise to not attempt to compete with anyone. stay above everyone and delivere the best driving experience in the world.