Ferrari chief reportedly admits V6 a possibility

Noah Joseph — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:28:00 EST

Purists who've given up hope with Porsche amidst their sedan and SUV shenanigans aren't going to like this one bit. After all but completely phasing out even the option of a manual transmission in Ferrari road cars (in favor of robotized sequentials and dual-clutch gearboxes), Ferrari's management says it can't rule out the possibility of a V6 in the near future.

The quote comes from Ferrari's chief executive Amadeo Felisa, who said that while the prospect would have been entirely dismissed as recently as a year ago, today's climate - in terms of the environment and customer conscience - precludes its being ruled out now. The last time Ferrari built a V6 (also used in Fiats and Lancias) was with the Dino 246 (pictured above) that went out of production in over a quarter century ago. The Dino is, however, fondly remembered as a classic, despite its relatively small engine.

Felisa did, however, rule out the possibility of taking future Ferraris electric-only. The Maranello-based exotic automaker is presently working on a hybrid system.

[Source: Autocar]

Ferrari chief reportedly admits V6 a possibility originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Ferrari looking at turbo'd V6 to save fuel

Dan Roth — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 08:33:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Supercars, Ferrari, Rumormill

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]

Rumormill: Ferrari looking at turbo'd V6 to save fuel originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 Jul 2008 08:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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