Ferrari to release smaller "Dino" like car.

There seems to be no end to rumours of Ferrari building a small car to take on the likes of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage and Porsche 911. The new car, possibly carrying the Dino nameplate, will be priced under $150,000 and will boost Ferrari’s annual production well beyond its current rate, something purists fear will dilute the brand’s exclusivity.

Our previous report suggested that the new car would feature a folding metal roof and this latest rendering sourced from Autobild/Huckfeldt seems to support the rumour. Platform sharing with Maserati is a likely option with the Dino utilising design work shared with the upcoming Coupe and Spyder replacements.

Previous reports have stated that the Dino will be a 2+2 seater, but this rendering clearly shows a strict 2 seater. Under the new sheet metal, the car will follow a front-engined rear drive layout with a 4.2L V8 as the powerplant of choice, although there’s talk of a small capacity V6 engine also on the cards. Look for a conventional steel monocoque chassis with the engine placed well behind the front-axle for improved weight distribution.

Source: MotorAuthority

chewy - 10/12/2006 9:48:02 PM

+1 Boost

Huh, performance?

S4cabriofox - 10/12/2006 9:54:58 PM

+1 Boost

For what reason?

The F430 is an unbelievable entry-level car (if you could call it that), and adding another niche just wouldn't make sense for Ferrari. Not that many people can afford them, and they'd just start losing money, if they aren't already.

Agent63 - 10/12/2006 11:03:27 PM

+1 Boost

S4cabriofox - 10/12/2006 9:54:58 PM+1 Boost
For what reason?

The F430 is an unbelievable entry-level car (if you could call it that), and adding another niche just wouldn't make sense for Ferrari. Not that many people can afford them, and they'd just start losing money, if they aren't already.

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In a sense the F430 is an 'entry-level' car but it's such a great car that the entry level label would only degrade it. It wouldn't be right to call it the baby ferrari either since it isn't that small.

I don't think Ferrari needs a dino version of a Ferrari. They don't need to go head to head against Aston Martin. It's somewhat of a different niche if you think about it. Aston Martin's more luxury oriented where as Ferrari's pure sports car driving fun.

Why mess with what's already great. Having a dino ferrari would only open up another niche that Ferrari doesn't need. It may make Ferrari less exclusive with a more affordable model. It may also make Ferrari look cheaper if they decide to have a more toned down model. It's kind of like Lamborghini producing an Audi TT size car but slapping on a Lambo badge. Useless and quite stupid IMO.

sulev - 10/13/2006 6:37:55 AM

+1 Boost

Agent 63
I think it should be okay. I remember people would comment something similar before porsche was launced boxter to grab the lower end of the high-price 911..
look at it now, boxter serves porche well, and certainly isn't downgrading 911 or porsche in general..

Hyundai - 10/12/2006 9:55:10 PM

+1 Boost

This is really good news!

I can't wait!

A small Ferrari like back in the days (days I was not born yet) would be nice to see again. I was always a big fan of the 330 GTS and 250 GTO, especially the GTO.

Terminal10 - 10/12/2006 10:20:20 PM

+1 Boost

This is similiar to Mercedes and Porsche when they were trying to have low end models for Mercedes it was the 190e "the baby Benz". For Porsche it was the 924 and then the 924s both examples diluted the brand. Ferrari is by no means giving this new Dino away at 150,000. I would like to see how Ferrari equips the car engines, horsepower, etc. Ferrari has incredible technology from F1 it would be nice to see some of it trickle into the Dino.

sewingmachine - 10/13/2006 1:00:27 AM

+1 Boost

i think that would be pretty sweet if they built something like that.

PolePosition - 10/13/2006 1:19:47 AM

+1 Boost

As long as the new head of design axes those butt ugly protruberant tail lamps that break the line of the deck lid... NOT chic... not even close...

Ventura - 10/13/2006 4:09:38 AM

+1 Boost

Ferrari is no longer alone in the world of exclusive sport cars so in order to increase sales is more than logic to go to the bottom of the range since that bottom is quite high at the time (F430)!! Otherwise what would be the options, go up and build a better car and more expensive than Enzo that it wouldn't generate sales or build an SUV doing what almost all the others are doing but doing it late!!!

JUGNU - 10/13/2006 8:44:04 AM

+1 Boost

There is absolutly no need to go downmarket,as FERRARI have one of the most strongest brand image in the WORLD.

We can assume/deduce their strong image from a small example of FXX.

They r in a postiton where they can (and even they r) sell a super exclusive CAR.LiKe Most Recentley the FXX,Enzo,575M SuperAMERICA...etc

ALL in ALL,i think they should focus more on an ENZO-replacement car,As above 599 Fiorano there is no more offering from Ferrari right now.

Enzo-replacement should be their first priority.

JUGNU----->THE CARMAN

OBSERVER1984 - 10/13/2006 1:50:45 PM

+1 Boost

Ferrari doesn't need a smaller car. They've got F430 and it's enough small!

FerrarisR4me - 10/15/2006 4:29:28 PM

+1 Boost

I think there is definitly room for a "entry" Ferrari (mostly because I would like to afford one some day). But if they price it at about $100k get rid of any options, make it a bare bones driving car- stick, small v8 (or v6 for tradition) in the back making around 400 hp, rwd, no frills or lux, just fun. Maybe something like Porsche does w/ their club sports. That would be a hell of a car and if anything would revive Ferrari's hard core sports car image.

minimalist - 10/16/2006 3:44:47 AM

+1 Boost

yes, they should produce this car... for me!!