Before you read this, go to the kitchen and get the biggest grain of kosher salt you can find. Dig around until you've got a big one. Ready? Okay: rumors are circulating that Hot Wheels has spilled the proverbial beans on the arrival of a new Ferrari Dino. Sounds a little ridiculous, but not entirely outside the realm of possibility. Mattel's Hot Wheels brand has the exclusive rights to make scale model Ferraris, and as such may be privy to advanced information on what Maranello's developing in order to get scale models to market efficiently. The word comes from the Diecast Legends website, an online model retailer that is now taking pre-orders on the claim that Mattel announced a 1/18 scale replica of the new Dino for the Hot Wheels Elite line. It's worth noting, though, that the penchant for jumping the gun on the part of diecast retailers is notorious among collectors, and this may very well be just another case.
With all the spy shots we've shown, however, it seems more than likely that Ferrari is indeed working on a new entry-level model. (Naysayers will insist the test mule spied is actually an upcoming Maserati.) But after years of denying such a car was in the pipeline, Ferrari chiefs Luca di Montezemolo and Jean Todt reportedly announced that a new (though unspecified) Ferrari would be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show this coming fall. Guess we'll just have to wait and see.
[Source: World Car Fans]














Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Eddie @ Mar 17th 2008 11:25AM
I loved the Road & Track mockup for a smaller Ferrari. I hope the rumors are true.
carsteve @ Mar 17th 2008 11:32AM
Got a link to that Road and Track mock-up?
Eddie @ Mar 17th 2008 11:43AM
My mistake, it was Autoweek.
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200803041004/FREE/452036069
carsteve @ Mar 17th 2008 11:51AM
Ah. Saw that one. Thanks man.
Carlos @ Mar 17th 2008 11:32AM
What I don't understand is what is the big deal in keeping the development of a car a secret? People are going to find out eventually?
JayP @ Mar 17th 2008 11:42AM
Shades of the C3 Corvette.
rgseidl @ Mar 17th 2008 11:55AM
I think that's a model of the original Dino. If it were a new design, it would never meet EU pedestrian safety standards.
Besides, Fiat S.p.A. owns 85% of Ferrari and has no need for an entry-level model below the F430. That segment of the market is the domain of the Alfa and Maserati brands.
pumarules @ Mar 17th 2008 12:05PM
The actual Dino pictured on the diecastlegendes site is the following, and doesnt look like much of a mockup to me, more like the real thing!
http://img89.imageshack.us/my.php?image=hw2079al8.jpg
Jaime @ Mar 17th 2008 1:24PM
http://www.allsportauto.com/photoautre/porsche/cayman/s/2005_porsche_cayman_s_20_m.jpg
It's still a chop. Original picture in the link.
-J
Derek @ Mar 17th 2008 12:16PM
I'll take one of those Dino 246's in 1:1 scale, please.
Jaime @ Mar 17th 2008 1:24PM
http://www.littlebolide.com/product_info.php?products_id=14624
Says it won't be out till the end of October. Sounds more accurate...
-J
Mi key @ Mar 17th 2008 8:38PM
@ pumarules that a sweet looking mock-up or whatever.
Is there a special reason why Ferrari is revealing the Dino in Paris?