Dyno Dino: Baby Ferrari test mule spotted
"We are not developing a cheap Ferrari" is the oft-repeated party line in Maranello. "Just don't look over there," might as well be the next, as spy shots have turned up yet again suggesting that Ferrari is indeed developing an "entry-level" model to slot in the company's line-up below the F430.
The latest photos show a developmental test mule on the dynamometer wearing what appears to be disguised bodywork from the recently launched Maserati GranTurismo. Sources suggest, however, that the baby Ferrari would share more in common with the achingly gorgeous and limited production Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, but with even more power. When that car was being developed, original speculation suggested it was for Ferrari, but that the project was passed over to Alfa Romeo instead.
So has Ferrari been blatantly lying? A few possibilities could explain the discrepancy. First is that the car spotted is not a Dino as speculated by the motoring press, but actually a test mule for the upcoming new Maserati convertible; however, based as closely as it will be on the existing GranTurismo, extensive drivetrain testing would seem unnecessary. It could, however, be testing a new transmission for the Maserati range. Another explanation about the seeming chasm between what we see and what Ferrari says could be drawn from the example of the original Dinos, which were not badged as Ferraris but as a separate brand. If the photos are accurate, the new model could be front-engined like the 599 GTB instead of mid-engined like the F430 as originally thought. One way or another, we look forward to finding out.
[Source: Motor Authority]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
stefan 2:02PM (7/11/2007)
Looks more like a lexus.
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Johnny Rocket 2:18PM (7/11/2007)
No, it looks like a Baby 599. That's better than a Baby 430, but not all that great. Sorry, I think the Alfa 8C will beat this out (no matter what it ends up looking like) in a beauty contest.
Stevie Z 4:57PM (7/11/2007)
This isnt a Ferrari, and frankly im disappointed in autoblog for reporting this. This picture has been around for months and months and it was established that it was a mule for the gran turismo.
frondeur 2:26PM (7/11/2007)
Ferrari is about being exclusive...the factory already sells every car it makes, and there is a long waiting list for all of its models.
Why would it need to produce anything else? This speculation is as silly as the "Rockster" BS which was circulating in the spring.
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Lucas 4:45PM (7/11/2007)
The extreme opening of that trunk suggests a convertible to me, what ever it is.
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papercliprebel 4:32PM (7/11/2007)
the trunk is open. this indicates to me that the car is a rear/mid engine car NOT based off the front engine maserati or alfa 8c. otherwise the front hood would be open to cool the engine which it clearly is not.
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boone 4:34PM (7/11/2007)
Yea it sorta does look like a Lexus with that vertical exhaust thing. Reminds me of the ISF project. Only this one included the pipes in the bumper which Lexus shouldve done.
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Yago Bal 5:58PM (7/11/2007)
That picture emerged 6 months ago, as a camuflaged Maserati, smaller than the GranTurismo, to replace the current Coup
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Neo 5:30AM (7/12/2007)
Thats not a ferrari, thats the test mule of the Maserati Spider. You can see the elements that make up the retractable hardtop.
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jstarr 8:19AM (7/12/2007)
This is the GranTurismo Spyder AND the upcoming Dino. As the development of the Spyder would have been to expensive for Maserati, the Prototype's chassis will also be the base for the Dino.
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