Has the internet now made the Ferrari Dino a reality? Exclusive-The REAL scoop

Dear 001,

I have just been discussing this 420-Dino fake with some colleagues here in sunny northern Italy, you know, in the land of the black stallion? You could not possibly imagine the humour that this photoshop Cayman/Dino hybrid has induced in these tempremental Italians. Some are naturally insulted, but a number of individuals (at board level no less) are more curious to see the masses of blogging thats going on over this "budget" Ferrari. Whoever butchered that Caymen (compare windscreen / roofline & overhang) has created the effect of making the Italians seriously consider a small Ferrari, thus allowing themselves to upgrade the F430 - which is currently the bottom of the range - into a more expensive (OK, proffitable) car. Technical spec is based on Maserati details, but it looks correct, I think even the new 4200 Coupe / Dino would probably share a motor anyway. I for one would get rid of my 997/911 for something around $160K, thats GT3 money here in the UK and with all due respect to Zuffenhausen, the prancing horse is superior in the car hierachy.

We can't wait to see all the other sites re-package this exclusive info and call it their own... ;)

answer - 12/14/2006 1:20:59 PM

+1 Boost

I know it's fake, but I still like it.

I think Ferrari could go down the price ladder a slight bit and not threaten their "prestige".

An entry-level Ferrari might have a lower price, but they control the availability through production numbers and could limit them that way.

golfer38 - 12/14/2006 3:21:40 PM

+1 Boost

I think it would be a great idea. I'm sure offering a 150k-190k Ferrari wouldn't "cheapin" their image. After all, that price range is still unattainable for most.

quizz - 12/14/2006 3:34:26 PM

+3 Boost

I must laugh at this statement: "with all due respect to Zuffenhausen, the prancing horse is superior in the car hierachy". At $130,000? Geee, why don't you make a $90,000 mini-van while you're ate it.

Do you know how badly built a $130,000 Ferrari will be compared to the GT3? That GT3 can be used as an every day commuter plus tracked on weekends with very little problem and infrequent visits to the shop. You try putting 7,000 miles a year on any Ferrari, not to mention low-end Ferrari, and you are asking for trouble. More importantly, the GT3 performs near as well as the F430, so it should be way better than an entry level F car.

Yes, the prancing horse may be "superior" when it comes to cache and impressing the valet, but the "cheapest" Ferrari is hardly impressive when you consider how much better the GT3 would be.

The bottom of the line Ferrari better be GOOD.

Murcielago_LP640 - 12/14/2006 3:37:07 PM

0 Boost

Auto Express Magazine in the UK reported this as their cover story. It has loads of pics and interior pics. I don't know..they say that it's real and stuff...

07mcs - 12/14/2006 4:40:58 PM

+2 Boost

"I for one would get rid of my 997/911 for something around $160K, thats GT3 money here in the UK and with all due respect to Zuffenhausen, the prancing horse is superior in the car hierachy".

I agree with you about superior Hierarchy for Ferrari. But at the price range of the 911, the car is positioned very well. I don't see another car offering the prestige the Porsche offers with the 911 at 997 price levels.

quizz - 12/14/2006 5:16:59 PM

+3 Boost

"superior" in terms of instant name recognition and "wow" factor, but for the "love of the drive", I don't believe $160,000 can produce a Ferrari that comes close to the GT3's performance.

But I can't deny the instant appeal of the "Ferrari" logo.

quizz - 12/14/2006 8:09:34 PM

+2 Boost

This is the problem with a Ferrari. For $160,000, the true Ferrari afficionado can get a "lightly" used F430. Helll, you can get a used Maranello for that much. Sooooo, why get a "new" cheapo F-car for "impressing people" when you can impress them more with a pre-owned F430 for the same price, but the public has no clue it's "pre-owned"? Both cars are equally unreliable, whether new or with 15,000 miles on the odometer. I guess there's always the warranty on a new car (as short and worthless as it is).

So the only market the $160,000 Ferrari would appeal to is ignorant newly minted millionaires who know nothing about cars and just want to buy a Ferrari because it's a Ferrari. I guess there may be enough of these fools out there.

austintyson - 12/15/2006 8:11:35 AM

+1 Boost

Build a car like the Dino but please don't name it that. I say Ferrari should build it. But I would love to see them do it in a lower price range say 100k or hell why not lower. But then those will say its bringing down the Ferrari name.. Any car over 100k wont be a Kia.. just my thoughts.. I can't afford 75k let alone 160k

BigQ - 12/17/2006 1:19:02 AM

0 Boost

If this is a photoshop of a Ferrari onto a Cayman, somene should photoshop a BMW 6 series onto a R8. Ithink that BMW should head more in that direction than towards the F430 or Gallardo. The R8 looks muscular, where the other two are more sleek.