At last month's Geneva Motor Show, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo surprised the industry by revealing that his company would be coming to the Paris Motor Show in October with a new model. Widely anticipated to be the oft-refuted new "entry-level" Ferrari, dubbed tentatively as the Dino or 430 GT California, the test mule has been spotted repeatedly making its way around any of the three circuits that the company owns in Italy.
These new spy shots reveal a nose as long as the 599 GTB Fiorano's or the 612 Scaglietti's, but while those models have to accommodate a long V12 under the hood, the new model is expected to carry a front-mounted V8 based on the architecture shared by the Ferrari F430, Maserati GranTurismo and Quattroporte and Alfa 8C Competizione. While the former is built by Ferrari at its factory in Maranello, the fact that the plant is already at capacity while demand continues to grow and the company continues to expand into new markets leads to speculation that the new model could be built alongside the others at Maserati's factory in nearby Modena. We're also interested to see whether the headlights reminiscent of the classic Daytona (like the one Ferrari also showed in Geneva) are just part of the camouflage, or if they will make it to production. One way or another, we'll see after the summer in the French capital.
[Source: CarAdvice.com.au]
Spy Shot: Production interior of Chevy Volt (maybe)
Rumormill: Lexus LF-A... Stillborn?
Ford reveals 2010 Mustang badge
REPORT: Chrysler may sell Dodge Viper rather than kill it
Audi develops R8 GT3 racer
In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Nissan Murano
In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Dodge Journey R/T
In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Jeep Compass Sport 4x2
In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Porsche Carrera S
First Drive: 2009 Honda Fit Sport
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
James @ Apr 2nd 2008 4:30PM
I don't know why people are insisting that it be a "baby" Ferrari as, regardless of the name or positioning, it will still be unaffordable / unobtainable by most mortals. The fact that it will "only" cost, say, $150,000 offers little consolation.
Also, why couldn't it be simply a companion to the F430, a front-engined version, perhaps a 2+2. It's not as though this is Ferrari's "Cayenne"...
slyKaush007sil @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:52AM
There is no doubt that the car will be an utter success but it begs the question as to why ferrari would chose an additional model. Their current lines are already suffering from excessive waits.
150K isn't suistainable for most mortals buts thats about as low as ferrari can go without canibalizing maserati, which is finally doing well. so for an entry level scuderia, it sounds reasonable.
Cary @ Apr 3rd 2008 2:14AM
Why? Let's see..Mercedes is definitely not at the Halo status of Ferrari, but you must realize that even the uber rich think twice when considering spending the extra 50 to 100 grand (technically few spend the money, most lease) on the F430 or Gallardo, when one can get a MBZ SL65 or upcoming SLC, out perform, and still have exclusivity. The SL65 pushes $200k when dressed properly. The SLC will be slotted above even that, more than likely $250k-$275k. That is why Ferrari needs to bolster the foundations. They are trying to say, hey, you don't have to spend your $250k on that Merc when you can have a Ferrari for only $150k. Here in south orange county, the average 'mere mortal' will be relegated to the back of the field C300 anyone, but there are PLENTY around here, that would absolutely jump on the baby Dino at that price.