Will Ferrari Revive the Dino Nameplate?
Back in 2011, Edmunds posted an article entitled, “The 25 Greatest V6-Powered Cars Ever,” and included one of Ferrari’s most iconic names — the Dino — a sub-brand of the Prancing Horse — among its top selections. Now, approximately four decades later, the automaker intends to resurrect the model from its long slumber.
During the ‘60s, Enzo Ferrari introduced a more affordable (and just as desirable) sub-brand named after his son Afredo “Dino,” resulting in the birth to the Pininfarina-designed 1968 Dino 206GT: a two-seater, mid-engine sports car powered by a 2.0-liter V-6. The automaker also introduced the 246GT featuring a larger, 2.4-liter engine, and the GTS, the last of which is considered to be — based on Edmunds — the great-grandfather of today’s Ferrari 458 Italia. The relatively low-cost rear-drive models were produced until 1976, when the marque was retired.
Since then, rumors regarding a revival of the Dino nameplate have been hovering around the automotive industry for quite some time — until recently. According to Autocar, Ferrari chairman Sergio Marchionne revealed that the model’s return was “not a question of if but when.” What’s more, the iconic vehicle will carry the symbol of the prancing horse, as it will officially join the company’s lineup. And unlike the original Dino, the new car will not play the same “inexpensive” volume-boosting role it once had.
According to Marchionne, “We may produce a 500 horsepower Ferrari but it will not be a cheap Ferrari.” In fact, Digital Trends says the new Ferrari for sale is expected to have a starting price of around $190,000 — similar to that of the Ferrari California T convertible — which means it will likely be positioned as the brand’s newest entry-level sports car.
Reports in the auto industry also suggest the model may incorporate a smaller and more efficient V-6 engine (a twin-turbo), which would help the company meet CO2 standards. If the engine produces 500-hp like Marchionne suggests, Ferrari’s new supercar may be capable of reaching a top speed of 200 miles per hour — or a zero-to-62 mph sprint in under 3.5-seconds — and will go up against the likes of the Porsche 911 GT3 RS. Other rivals may also include the McLaren 570S, Aston Martin V12 Vantage S, and the upcoming Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series.
Hopefully, Ferrari will introduce the modern version of its great V6-powered sports car sometime soon. Only time will tell.
