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New Ferrari Dino Mules Spied: Name No Sure Thing
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Ferrari officials confirmed recently that a new sportscar will be shown at the Paris auto show this fall. And now, spies for The Car Connection have captured more photos of the prototypes of the new Ferrari during testing.
It can be taken for granted that the new model will be the long-rumored small Ferrari dubbed “Dino” by the automotive press. Our photos show two different prototypes of the upcoming car, caught just two days ago on Ferrari’s test track at Fiorino. While one of the prototypes is heavily disguised from front to rear end, the second one at least gives a glimpse of the new model’s front end. We've also sourced two illustrations to capture an artist's interpretation of the vehicles shown in these photos.
The front-engined small sports car might not be called Dino, but possibly GT420 or GT470. Dino was the name applied to a smaller sportscar engineered by Ferrari in the 1960s, one named for a son of founder Enzo Ferrari.
The new “baby” Ferrari will be based on a shortened platform spun from the Maserati GranTurismo. Powered by the family V-8 also found in the Maserati, the Ferrari will sport a 4.7-liter version. The new Ferrari will be positioned between the F430 and the Maserati GT.
Until the Paris auto show opens to the press in the fall, you can stay tuned here for more information--and occupy yourselves with these high-resolution Ferrari Dino spy shots.--Hans G. Lehmann/ Hidden Image
Responses (8 total)
By M3Rheino | Posted: Apr 8th 2008, 05:24:37 PM
Ferrari's CEO has been quoted as saying, "...if people want a cheaper Ferrari, they can buy a used Ferrari." This just may be a smoke screen, but I really don't think that want to do anything that could dilute the mystique of the brand.
By Dave | Posted: Mar 19th 2008, 12:20:13 AM
The only people who say that the original Dino is not an "authentic" Ferrari are those who have no hope of driving one.
By Reece | Posted: Mar 17th 2008, 10:53:00 PM
Depends what you mean by 100% ferrari. Masseratti were once part of Ferrari stable and they share engines and other components. Masser are no Fiat or Alfa but likely new Ferrari will share some DNA with the masser.
Would love to see ultra-light Ferrari and they are talking of going down that route more but hopefully not to the point of diluting the Ferrari name and exclusivity.
hope it looks like the comgen photo
By slade | Posted: Mar 17th 2008, 05:32:31 PM
I believe the Exige S is supercharged and intercooled. You are paying for a 100% performance car for the track or to tear people up at an Auto X event. With an amazing suspension setup and balanced chassis.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus_Exige#Exige_Specifications
When this baby Ferrari comes out it has to be 100% Ferrari product and not borrowed material.
By Thor | Posted: Mar 17th 2008, 04:20:52 PM
Thanks.
Now re the Lotus Elise and Exige, these are $45k and $67k cars, I believe, but their engine is a 100% unchanged 1.8 Toyota engine that you could buy in the coupe or spyder MR2 for half or even a third of the price.
What Lotus did is they took off weight, they made the Elise and Exige bare-bones, improved the suspension perhaps, but does that justify these kind of prices?
By xjug1987 | Posted: Mar 17th 2008, 03:41:28 PM
Thor: Well put.
By brian | Posted: Mar 17th 2008, 03:29:33 PM
Frankly, I'd be more excited about a "Baby Ferrari" that was about the size and weight of a Lotus Elise with something along the lines of a 2.0-2.5 L 6-cylinder spinning @ 250hp and priced below $70K
By Thor | Posted: Mar 17th 2008, 12:54:06 PM
There sure is room for a car below the entry level 8-0cylinder, which had about 500 HP now. 20 years ago, it had HALF that power!
But that new Dino must be an AUTHENTIC Ferrari and NOT a re-badged ALfa or Fiat!
Therefore, and given that the original DIno WAS NOT authentic in all its components, maybe the name DINO is NOT the best for the new entry level car.
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