Speculazione: Is this a new Maserati or the Ferrari Dino?
Manufacturers testing development mules for upcoming models go to great lengths to camouflage their prototypes in order to hide from the public what they're working on. That never stops the motoring press, in print and in cyberspace, from speculating on what that the camouflage is disguising, usually with considerable accuracy. A certain set of spy shots, however, have been enigmatic, resulting in a number of different theories.
The spy shots in question show a two-door sports car being developed by Ferrari. We've speculated that the shots in question show an "entry level" Ferrari model, possibly to be labeled as a new Dino, despite Maranello's repeated denials with which, by now, we're all familiar. Our friends over at Motor Authority say it's a new model from sister-company Maserati, to be positioned below the new GranTurismo. The folks at Carscoop, meanwhile, insist that the prototype is more simply a convertible version of the aforementioned GT.
That the prototype is being developed by Ferrari engineers shouldn't throw anybody, as Maranello has had considerable input in the development of Maserati models, and despite the separation of the two companies within the Fiat hierarchy, the input could reasonably be expected to continue considering Ferrari's extensive abilities and Maserati's natural desire to tap into that expertise in order to compete with more established rivals like Aston Martin, Jaguar and BMW. Whatever the identity of the test mule in question, it's bound to be an exciting addition to the market, and along with our contemporaries, we're looking forward to finding out what it is.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
biggins 3:55PM (7/23/2007)
sweet mother, i hope the back end doesnt actually look like that. that's not a big back end like jennifer lopez, that's a rosie o'donnell badonkadonk.
yeah. scary.
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Mike 4:14PM (7/23/2007)
It looks like the rear end, from the seam just below the center-mounted LED brake light and above, is heavily disguised. So much so that I can't tell if that design looks more Ferrari or Maserati. Maybe this is just pieced together bodywork skinning a new platform that is under testing.
BTW I saw a red Maserati Gran Turismo in the parking lot of Table 28 here is East Greenwich this weekend and lemme tell you, that is one of the sexiest yet classy and sport cars I have ever seen. The design of that car is impeccable.
vectorbug 4:09PM (7/23/2007)
Judging by the pentagram wheels, I'd say Ferrari?
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sb 4:18PM (7/23/2007)
i'd say Ferrari too from the look of the rims.
yatcyd 4:17PM (7/23/2007)
With all that camo on the rear deck lid, I would not rule out some hardtop convertible action.
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zach 4:39PM (7/23/2007)
the wheels have nothing to do with it - they're the first and easiest thing to camo. also, it seems like the entire back is tacked on; even the roofline seems to be altered.
my vote is Maserati. The tail lights look like a much more complicated design than Ferrari uses on their cars. The door handles are also radically different than anything used by Ferrari in a very long time.
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Milos Radulovic 4:44PM (7/23/2007)
this may be the answer (maybe, my italian is....well i don't know it frankly, except when i order a meal)
http://www.autoblog.it/post/9389/ferrari-f450-lerede-dellf430
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Milos Radulovic 5:02PM (7/23/2007)
http://www.topspeed.com/cars/ferrari/ferrari-f450-ar39707.html
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Yago Bal 6:52PM (7/23/2007)
It's a Maserati: you jyst have to look closely to the rear, to see the GranTurismo rear-lights empty space, on the boot-lid.
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Max Merak 11:54PM (7/23/2007)
Whatever it is, it's ugly.
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mat.bech 2:31AM (7/24/2007)
My bet is Maserati, look at the side skirts they arent agressive enought to be a Ferrari, plus I am probably the worlds biggest Maserati fan so I can tell one from 500 feet away even with camo. Plus I saw one a couple of weeks back, when I was visiting Italy, exactly like it just outside the factory. It is a Maserati
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MrFluffy 2:57AM (7/24/2007)
Ferrari has done away with traditional door handles for a while now...and this test car has normal looking door handles..so I'm guessing its not a Ferrari.
Although obviously they could just be using a "mule door" or whatever...
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