So many designers are getting in on Dino action these days, we can only hope the car doesn't turn into the automotive equivalent of Snakes on a Plane. Ferrari's consistent disavowals regarding any plans to make "a cheap Ferrari" is not stopping those with pens and intricate rendering software from making their own. Next into the breach is Ernesto Freitas, a Portuguese designer and engineer who has not only drafted a mock-up Dino, he then made a foam model. It's not as elegant as some of the other randomly generated Dinos we've seen -- things get quite busy aft of the doors -- but there is a healthy dose of Dino language to be had throughout. No matter what, though, full marks to Mr. Freitas for commitment to his vision. As for you, Ferrari, we'll see you in Frankfurt with The Car That Isn't A Cheap Ferrari...
[Source: Autoblog.nl]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Gerard @ Jul 14th 2007 5:50PM
Ferrari's a sell-out brand. Unless Ferrari raises the standards of its clientele and returns to its roots building cars as homologations specials, its audience will be the same posuers as it's been since the '70s.
snakesausage @ Jul 14th 2007 6:03PM
Disavowals?? I am not an english major but I think it should be disavows.
snakesausage @ Jul 14th 2007 6:11PM
Ah!!! I reread... disavowals is correct but is awkward in this sentence.
Carlos Oliveira @ Jul 14th 2007 7:12PM
This is the full story about the car in the picture. It's a new concept from Vinci, and it's (for now) called 'Sports Coupé'. Vinci is a brand new portuguese car-maker, it just revealed it's first project, the Vinci GT. It's concept is based around old-fashioned '60s GTs, but with an updated design. It's 100% designed and built in Portugal, except for what's under the hood: a Corvette V8.
This was the first static concept:
http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/1731/p1000398tb6.jpg
http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/3880/p1000399xl0.jpg
Today I got the chance to witness the Vinci GT launch, I'll try to return to you with some photos, by tomorrow. Let's just say that after seeing the Vinci GT live, I can't barely wait for the Vinci 'Sports Coupé'. =)
PS - In case you're wondering, the Vinci GT will have a limited production of 150 units, with 15-20 cars built each year, and will cost around €250,000.
Gerard @ Jul 14th 2007 9:30PM
Not the worst-looking car, but no Ferrari...certainly not for the money.
Ya Ya @ Jul 14th 2007 10:45PM
A. This is why there are no good portugeuse cars.
B. Why did this guy waste his time and money???
jpaulo @ Sep 6th 2007 7:35PM
wait,and see. Behold,the designer will be around,not CEIA,the builder,the designer...you´ll hear from us!!!!!
By the way,WWW.LUSOMOTORS.COM,...new projects are at large........
papaburger @ Jul 15th 2007 10:52AM
Terrible looking kit car style "Dino".
The original Dino was created to try and take a chunk out of Porsche 911 sales (a real car for enthusiasts). With the world economy what it is today (roaring ahead like a freight train), they have no need for a "cheap Ferrari" and can remain focused on the traditional core Ferrari cliental as Enzo envisioned from the beginning: making cars that are much too good for rich delusional poseurs. Way bigger profit margins.
Gerard @ Jul 15th 2007 2:49PM
Too bad Ferrari's current sales are too poseurs and NOT to enthusiasts.
Architeuthis @ Jul 15th 2007 3:04PM
The original Dino was created to compete in races like the Targa Florio where the "full size" Ferraris were just too big and unwieldy. IIRC they were called that because Dino Ferrari advocated the use of 6 and even 4 cylinder engines where appropriate. Racing has gotten a lot more sanitized since then and there are no Targa Florios left today.
Ferrari got into the business of making GT cars (not expressly intended for racing, unlike the original Dinos) to help pay for the racing effort, which is still the case today (and which is why they engage in shameless branding.) So in that sense Ferrari's original clientele are those people who buy the things to race.
ebm14 @ Jul 16th 2007 7:35AM
FERRARI=> BUILD THE DINO NOW.
jpaulo @ Oct 22nd 2007 12:05AM
it causes you,all of you,envee,portuges,INVEJA,only some one like this man,to design,and to put pininfarina,and ferrari at large...compare the two models,new and classic,it is more original than the beetle,and as consensual as the mini...its the new"DINO"...