Despite the rumors that bubble up every now and again, Ferrari has never resurrected the Dino nameplate. How odd. They have no problem recirculating a number of model names over the years: GTO, California, SuperAmerica. Other companies have resurrected dead names with mixed success: New Beetle, Mini, Indian and MV Agusta motorbikes. Seems to me, a "New Dino" would cause a huge stir and sell very well. From a personal stand point, I hope they do not do it.
I agree about making a "cheaper" Ferrari and calling it a Dino is a bad idea for Dino's guys. If Ferrari was to create a new car that was a modernized version of the body style, I think it would sell awesome, especially if it was small in size.
I agree, but I don't really dislike the Elise. If it was kept small and powerful, it could be a blast to drive
i love the elise. Yeah. But it's ugly. If the Dino is one thing it is PRETTY. Not powerful. not expensive. But drop-dead GORGEOUS. So, just like the Elise, just not ugly. Yes, I'm that shallow.
I think if they did make one, they should price it just shy, and I mean just shy of the current 4xx car. So close that it isn't part of the equation in buying, but slightly lower to keep all the Ferrari stars aligned.
I think taking the approach of a "light weight" car with little frills, like an Elise would be a win / win situation. Imagine a smaller Ferrari stripped like a Scuderia or Stradale from the get go and smaller than the "current" flagship V8 would be a perfect fit. I am willing to bet they could even have a racing series for it and it would do well.
i think the 458 Italia looks like a modern Dino coupe. I went into the Park ave NYC showroom a few weeks ago & they had a white one (normally I hate white except in 68 -72 vettes) and it was very sharp & Dinoesque in countenance. I was floored when i heard it had 570 hp - unreal!! It was next to the California which they ruined with that HUGE rear end. Oh well - the 458 was pretty cool...
With all the branding effort put in to the Ferrari name they'll never bring back the Dino name. I doubt they'll ever go down market again and if they did they'd want to bring as much allure as possible to the new car. Hence it would be badged a Ferrari. For those who think that it would diminish the great name of Ferrari take a walk through a Ferrari store.
I agree. A focused, small, light-weight Ferrari aimed at the enthusiast. It has to be expensive to ensure it is not perceived as a budget model.
I feel exactly the same way about the Elise. I agree that the Dino is pretty. Not powerful? A 246 has, what, 150 horses? And weighs little enough I could practically bench press it. Okay, so maybe it doesn't compare to a 288 GTO or 360 Challenge, but I actually think it's power-to-weight ratio is pretty darn good. And it's small enough that you can feel how fast you're really going in it! Not "expensive?" Compared to what, an Enzo? Even when the Dino came out, and some misguided creatures looked down their noses that it didn't have 12 cylinders, wasn't a "real Ferrari," and all that, the price of the Dino exceeded the price of most other sports cars. Yes, so am I. "Gorgeous" is one reason I bought a 308 instead of a newer Ferrari, even when I could afford a 355 or 360. I'm sure that the Elise must be a ton of fun to drive, and I appreciate its size and "two-seats-and-an-engine" philosophy. I'd love to drive one, but I will never get one as long as it looks like a high-tech dune buggy by Mattel. Yeah. If Ferrari were to release a "new Dino" (though I doubt they will), I'd get one. Like the Elise, just not ugly. I'm there.
That's actually pretty good, but. . . • Take out the 599-style side scoop. It's ugly, and my least favorite aesthetic feature of the 599. A more traditional Dino/308/328 style side scoop would look more natural; I even think that it would hearken back to the original without looking "forced." • A convertible? I don't think so. Berlinetta top, definitely; Targa option, maybe.
Normv- that is a gorgeous car (get rid of the poser shields)- what does the rear end look like? If is the bus like one in the original California - zero interest - but it could be a cool car. I was so disappointed in the California. I was back in the Park Ave NYC show room recently and I just cant get over how they had the whole car so well laid out & then they put that enormous rear end on it. They really ruined a great looking car. In Grand Central station today they had a 4 seat maser GT convertible & it was just beautiful. I think the guy who designed the 599 Jason Castriotta did it & man was it nice!! The coupe is sharp too!!
Or at least I think so. When he designed the Series 1 Elise, Julian Thomson was a 246GT owner (I believe he still is). He borrowed heavily from the 246 (e.g., note the scoops) and of course the Lotuses (Elan and 23). He was quoted as saying he couldn't make the Elise as pretty as the Dino; at its intended price range, it might be perceived a hairdresser's car." So he added the "ferocity" of a Stratos. If you sit in a Series 1 Elise, the view with the front arches and all will remind you very strongly of the Dino. I didn't lke the Elise when I saw it in pictures, but bought the first one I saw in the flesh. It was cute, and I liked the single-purpose bent. No carpets, no frills. The Dino is actually a heavy car, compared to a Stratos, which moves differently. But you have to drive an Elise to discover what light really means. It accelerates, stops, corners the moment the thought enters your mind. I am fortunate to have a GT3 as well, a very fast, impressive car, and light compared to the standard Porsche. But the immediacy of the Lotus, available only through light weight, is different. And, as R&T said, the Elise is possibly the best handling car in the World. But we were talking about looks, weren't we. I find it cute. No, I don't like the look of the Series 2+ Elise. With side-impact beams, airbags, the need to accommodate ever widening bottoms, a light, small Ferrari will probably remain a pipe dream. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Iam sorry to say this, but I laughed when I saw this picture ......it looks like a bug or a fly....all it needs is a pair of wings on the side! ahahahahahahahahah! On a serious note....it must be a lot of fun to drive!
