The Return Of "Ferrari" Dino!

[RocZX]

The prospect of the Dino’s return to the Ferrari range after a four-decade-long absence has been spoken up directly by recently-appointed Ferrari chairman Sergio Marchionne, who told Autocar that the revival of the Dino name was “not a question of if but when”.

One of Ferrari’s most iconic names, Dino was used on V6 and V8-powered models in the 1960s and 70s as Ferrari sought to make more affordable but no less desirable cars under a new sub-brand, and push up volumes.

However, while plans are now afoot inside the company to see a return for the Dino name and V6 engines, such a model should not be seen as following historical precedent in what it stands for.

Marchionne insists Ferrari has no plans in significantly pushing up volumes, entering a lower price point or indeed launching another sub-brand, as was the case with the original introduction of the Dino badge.

“We may produce a 500 horsepower Ferrari but it will not be a cheap Ferrari,” he said. “The brand is unique and needs to be protected. I would always rather build 500 fewer cars than the market demanded rather than 500 more. We must not mess with customer expectations of Ferrari as an exclusive brand.”

These comments raise the intrigue on where the new Dino will sit in currently four-strong Ferrari range alongside the California T, 488 GTB, F12 and FF. One option could be as a radically different replacement for the California T coupe-convertible, which is due in 2018.

The California T, as critically and commercially well received as it has been, has never quite had the extra layer of sporting pretence, desirability and resonance with aficionados as the greatest Ferraris.

That said, the California T has opened up Ferrari to a new customer base, those looking for a more livable coupe-convertible GT car, and the profitable segment is one it is unlikely to want to turn its back on.

The Dino is therefore most likely to join the range as a fifth model line, being a truly sporting, mid-engined model sat in parallel to the California T, giving customers the option of a more traditional Ferrari sporting experience at the same price point.

But while placed on a price parallel as the California T, the Dino will live up to its historical roots by being a true sports car, one that’s mid-engined, unlike the front-engined California T.

A front-engined Dino would be at odds with Marchionne’s acknowledgement that the new Dino must be ‘done right'. “You’re right,” he said, “which is why it is so important to get it right. And it would be a wrong association to make Dino just a cheaper Ferrari.”

Such a model would give Ferrari a razor-sharp sports car to compete with the likes of the Porsche 911 GT3 RS.

In line with Marchionne’s comments of the new Dino being anything but a cheaper, entry-level Ferrari, the new model would still command a price tag of around £150,000, the same as the California T, although that figure is more likely to be higher than £150,000 than lower.

While details of the car’s exact make up are scarce at present, all the signals coming from Ferrari point to it being powered by a V6 engine.

Ferrari has long been in the process of making its engines more efficient, adopting stop-start systems and turbocharging on the California T and 488 GTB, and even downsizing the engine in the case of the 488 GTB.

The new supercar has a twin-turbo 3.9-litre V8 engine in place of the normally aspirated 4.5-litre V8 from the 458 Italia, which is both significantly more powerful and has greatly reduced CO2 emissions.

Marchionne said that the results of internal investigations into the feasibility of a V6 engine had been “positive”. Indeed, Ferrari already makes twin-turbo V6 engines for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) sister brand Maserati.

Continuing the downsizing trend to smaller and even more efficient V6 engines is the next logical step for Ferrari, not least because it will soon be spun off as a separate company away from FCA and can no longer rely on its place in the wider FCA group when CO2 emissions are averaged out to meet legislative targets.

“We had to move to turbo because we need to reduce CO2 emissions and with the spin off Ferrari will be an independent company and cannot use the FCA fleet average,” said Marchionne. “On top of that credits [where a manufacturer can buy their way out of building zero emission vehicles] cannot be bought in Europe and China but only in US. Saying that it is clear that we are not the problem with 7000 cars per year, but we have to respect the legislation.”

A twin-turbocharged V6 engine would significantly help reduce Ferrari’s CO2 emissions on its current annual production volumes of 7000 units, not least because the Dino would make up a larger proportion of sales than the other models, naturally bringing the average down. However, whether or not Ferrari’s production volumes stay at 7000 units after the Dino’s introduction is another matter.

While being super-efficient, the new Ferrari V6 engine would certainly not want for performance. Marchionne’s hint at a 500hp (493bhp) output would see it match the 911 GT3 RS for power, and make a 0-62mph time of sub-3.5sec and a top speed close to 200mph achievable.

Such a car would have the added advantage of allowing Ferrari to play in the growing ranks of junior supercars populated by the likes of the 911 GT3 RS and Aston Martin V12 Vantage S, and the forthcomingMercedes-AMG GT Black Series and McLaren 570S, albeit with the price and prestige premium that comes with a Ferrari.

AutoCar

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

A 500hp $125,000 Ferrari would be awesome. It would likely be more than $200,000 though.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Make it happen.

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

I'd rather see lightweight, V6 powered MR runabout with manual transmission as Ferraris new entry level model, priced somehwere around Lotus Evora and Porsche Cayman

 

[McLaren]

I'd rather see lightweight, V6 powered MR runabout with manual transmission as Ferraris new entry level model, priced somehwere around Lotus Evora and Porsche Cayman

There's no way Ferrari will ever build a car that will come that close. They said so, themselves.

“We may produce a 500 horsepower Ferrari but it will not be a cheap Ferrari,” he said. “The brand is unique and needs to be protected. I would always rather build 500 fewer cars than the market demanded rather than 500 more. We must not mess with customer expectations of Ferrari as an exclusive brand.”

 

[Dennisch]

An entry-level Ferrari will most likely be a Maserati.

 

[catamount39]

What about putting a Ferrari engine in the Alfa 4C and using the 4C as base?

This is awesome though.

 

[townha99]

What about putting a Ferrari engine in the Alfa 4C and using the 4C as base?

This is awesome though.

That would honestly be an great car, though I don't know how much power the chassis and platform could handle. I would think you don't want to push it anywhere above +-300 HP.

 

[catamount39]

That would honestly be an great car, though I don't know how much power the chassis and platform could handle. I would think you don't want to push it anywhere above +-300 HP.

Hmm, with some Fezza tinkering maybe they could make it work with 300bhp.

 

[HKS racer]

I'd rather see lightweight, V6 powered MR runabout with manual transmission as Ferraris new entry level model, priced somehwere around Lotus Evora and Porsche Cayman

Unfortunately people who buy Ferrari's consider exclusivity as part of the experience. Ferrari must stay that way or their customers will move to other brands like Koenigsegg or Pagani, just because of the exclusiviness.

But I totally agree with the manual transimssion, a good old "H" gearbox in this era of automatics robotronics flip flaps would be something unique.

 

[AudiMan2011]

First prototype out under a standard 458 body:

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/ferrari-dino-mule-caught-testing-first-pics

 

[catamount39]

That's sneaky.

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

It better not look like slightly smaller 458/488..

 

[catamount39]

It better not look like slightly smaller 458/488..

Hey come on it's Ferrari not Porsche.

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

Hey come on it's Ferrari not Porsche.

Have you looked at 458, FF and F12 and LaFerrari front ends recently?

 

[TVR27]

A artist impression.

Ferrari Dino set for comeback

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

Now that's what i'd love to see.

 

[RACECAR]

Not really feeling those renders. One of them is literally a photoshop collection of resized Ferrari parts (Healights and top grill from a California, Bottom grille from a 458). Not sure I want that on a new Dino.

 

[Slash]

> Ferrari
> "cheap"

 

[TheCracker]

I hope it's just small and cute and not overtly retro.

 

[The Stig Farmer]

A artist impression.

Ferrari Dino set for comeback

Good god.

 

[catamount39]

I like some of it but am also not liking some of it at the same time....

 

[Swagger897]

A artist impression.

Ferrari Dino set for comeback

Looks like the 599 and Zonda Huayra had fun together....

Not really liking that. I wish it would be small and simple, yet still keep the old Dino lines..

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

They should truly make it back to basics model instead of worrying about Caymans and some random letter/number combo being faster and loading it up with POWERRRRR and tech.. Ferraris have been getting way more heavier, they should use this one as a demonstrator of lightweight tech they have at Maranello.

 

[Grandea GTR]

All I can think of for a new Dino is something as big and similarly shaped like a 4C, but with a V6.

 

[TVR27]

Looks like the 599 and Zonda Huayra had fun together....

Not really liking that. I wish it would be small and simple, yet still keep the old Dino lines..

I want it to look more like a 4C.

 

[Swagger897]

I want it to look more like a 4C.

No doubt I want it to look good, but I don't want it to look big.

I'm tired of big cars and the crash standards they have to go through just to be sold. I'd take the original Dino any day if they come out with a new one looking like a boat..

 

[AudiMan2011]

New patents possibly hint at a front engined convertible and are close to confirming a turbocharged V6:

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/2018-ferrari-dino-get-hard-top-folding-roof-and-v6-engine

 

[Grandea GTR]

So what exactly is number 7 in the figure?

 

[Swagger897]

Great... another California is all we need....

sigh, I was hoping it would be as (I hope this fits) swooping as the Dino was, somehow the 458 looks more like a Dino than this ever will if we expect anything like it.