Rumormill: Ferrari looking at turbo'd V6 to save fuel
Dino fans rejoice, the rumormill is churning out plenty of grist about a V6 power unit in the offing for some future Ferraris. The California is already getting a V8, so Prancing Horse fans wishing for a "Dino II" will remain unfulfilled, but new approaches to high performance are key to keeping Ferrari at the zenith of autodom, lest it fall down the nostalgia hole that's seen Jaguar nearly suffocate on its own pillowy upholstery. The case for a V6 would be partly the banal issues of emissions and consumption, and a six might also offer weight and packaging advantages, though the rumors of a turbocharged mill add plumbing, weight, and complexity back into the mix. Additionally, anyone who's ever given the boot to a turbocharged engine can attest that forced induction's ability to make small engines flex big muscles, it can also lead to big-league fuel swilling, poking holes in the idea that a turbo V6 might save a lot of fuel over the direct-injected V8. Like any automaker, Ferrari is certainly looking at all sorts of "what if" ideas that will never reach production to find the right solution for the myriad technical challenges facing any automaker, let alone an exotic manufacturer. One thing's certain: a turbo V6 with Ferrari emblazoned along the cam covers would shriek with a proper Italian accent, and you have to respect any company that violently spits on the ground when the terms "SUV" or "Four-Door" are whispered.
Gallery: 2009 Ferrari California
[Source: AutoTelegraaf.nl]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
dave 8:44AM (7/06/2008)
When asked if the Dino would be marketed as a Ferarri, Enzo Ferarri replied "... a Ferarri has 12 cylinders".
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Richard 9:43AM (7/06/2008)
Ferrari. Ferrari. F-e-r-r-a-r-i.
The Dino was sold as a Dino, not a Ferrari (after Enzo's son, who was tragically killed)...and it was a V8.
The engine purity thing is overhyped. Ferrari have competed in F1 with engines to F1 rules specification including 12s, 10s and 8s. Any of which are Ferraris I would love to own. And all of which, certainly, are Ferraris - thoughts of il Commentadore aside.
Yago Bal 10:34AM (7/06/2008)
@Richard
All Dinos had V6s, except for the later 308 GT4 (which was eventually sold as a GT4 Ferrari, by the way).
"Ferrari have competed in F1 with engines to F1 rules specification including 12s, 10s and 8s." You're right: and 4s, in the 50's, if you focusing only on F1.
...but Enzo was talking about client/production cars.
Reality_Check 12:23AM (7/07/2008)
A couple of years ago i recall rading on motor trend a quote from Ferrari's CEO at the time saying "we will never do like Porsche, i don't like turbos"
rooshfive.blogspot.com 9:05AM (7/06/2008)
Seriously, anyone that plunks down the price of a Ferrari isn't going to care about fuel, and probably won't drive it enough to care about the environment. A turbo V6 does not qualify as "exotic".
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lovice 4:14AM (7/07/2008)
um.....what about F40??? One of the best Ferraris ever made!!!
Oh, and XJ220!!! One of the best British classic!!!
remy 9:13AM (7/06/2008)
Yea sure, a V8 isn't really exotic either.
GatorLCA 9:42AM (7/06/2008)
Tell that to the Turbo'd Flat-6 owners
Eddie 10:09AM (7/06/2008)
I think Nissan and Porsche have proved that a 6 can be exotic.
MikeW 11:31AM (7/06/2008)
A flat plane crank V8 is pretty exotic in a sea of crossplane crank v8s.
Joce03 4:35PM (7/06/2008)
Its true that someone paying $200k will have no problems paying for the gas as well. However, EU governments are in the process of putting limits for emissions for individual car companies. So, every brand in Europe is looking for ways to bring down their C02/km.
Marty 9:39AM (7/06/2008)
What are you talking about "you have to respect any company that violently spits on the ground when the terms "SUV" or "Four-Door" are whispered"? There are plenty of reports that Ferrari is considering an SUV, like the F151 rumors. AFAIK Ferrari has not denied these.
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Yago Bal 10:35AM (7/06/2008)
Do you really believe that?
why not the LS2LS7? 11:51AM (7/06/2008)
Porsche is readying a 4-door and already has an SUV. Yes, I believe Ferrari would consider 4-door options. They've made a 4-seater for years.
Flea 1:30PM (7/06/2008)
rumors are rumors, and they help auto journalists sell their magazines.
The facts however are facts, and Ferrari is over 60 years old and has never made a production four-door or SUV, something which no other sports manufacturer of that economical size can say.
Hell, Ferrari even launched a program to have your own personalized Ferrari made, as long as you have the money for it. Two rules: no sedans, no SUVs.
John Doe 5:11PM (7/06/2008)
I recall they even threatened to sue one Ferrari owner who stretched his Maranello into a sedan or limo.. I can't recall the details, but Ferrari was furious for what he'd done to the Ferrari image and brand.
wkalexand 11:32AM (7/06/2008)
Is it just me or does this look too much like the Maserati Gran Turismo
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Chase 1:21PM (7/06/2008)
Being the convertible version of the Gran Turismo, I don't think it really looks that similar, but at the same time, its disappointing the more exclusive brand made it look worse...
Acfsambo 9:58AM (7/06/2008)
Remy, a 4.6 V8 getting more power than FoMoCo or GM can out of 5-7L V8s, how is that not exotic?
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Yar 10:32AM (7/06/2008)
Ugh, more HP/L goons...