March 10, 2017 "Ferrari boss, Sergio Marchionne, has used a press conference at the Geneva motor show to openly criticise one of his own car-makers best-selling vehicles. The charismatic car chief, who also heads up the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) empire, used his speech to announce that instead of increasing volumes each car it makes, Ferrari will expand the number of models it produces to grow global sales. As well as the raft of new models, Marchionne said Ferrari would completely rethink its California T. Theres unexplored space on the premium side that will allow us to attract even more customers than were currently attracting, said Marchionne. He added the iconic Italian marque has already embarked on a period of thorough evaluation of all the products it makes. The car Ive had the most difficulty is the California. I bought two of them I bought the first one and I liked the car very much but its the one car that, from an identity standpoint, has the hardest time of seeing itself as a full-blown Ferrari, Marchionne stated. Ferraris boss said there was space for a California-style vehicle but that the Italian car maker had to be honest that the way in which Ferrari has interpreted the car may not be right Marchionne: California isn't a proper Ferrari - motoring.com.au Shades of Luca di Montezemolo and his comments on the 348 back in 1991
I hope so, don't care about the real Ferrari nonsense, I think they look great and be a nice car to tour in. I don't doubt that in the world of Ferrari it was a misstep though, but it's hardly the only one they've ever made.
It'll be slightly bigger than the 4C (may even use the CF tub), with the Alfa 2.9l TT V6. I doubt they'd develop new engine family, but you never know.
Won't that just continue the problem that people have with the California? It's not a real Ferrari etc. The point is that they shouldn't be using the parts bin for a Ferrari right?
The original Dino wasn't a real Ferrari, either! And if it's pretty, performs well, and is priced right, all will be forgiven.
My thoughts exactly, I'd speculate that as Maserati engines are made In the Ferrari factory all be it in a seperate area, the 4C is made in the Maserati factory and there looking for increased production pattern emerging here.
So I heard a story in December that Marchionne had cancelled the Dino platform, mainly because the price ended up being very close to the 488 GTB and hence would be difficult to sell. I guess we will find out this year if that story was correct. Also the entry level Ferrari is the California, I think a Dino at a similar price would also eat in to Califiornia sales, something Ferrari would be keen to avoid. Perhaps a California platform with a fixed roof and a V6 could be the entry level car for little development cost, similar to what Porsche did with the Boxster / Cayman.? My guess is that they will add an SUV to the lineup at an entry level price point, everyone else is doing it and it will bring additional sales without cutting in to existing models. M
My understanding was that the Dino was going to be positioned higher then the California. That is was to be just under the 488 line and the California would remain the entry car. Such a great nameplate, it deserves to be resurrected in some form or other.
Its a shame if Ferrari don't do a Dino, Whats wrong with a V6 Version of a 4c only much prettier thanks. I suppose the marketing people are all concerned as to where the car would sit in the market, eg at $200k your in Porsche Cayman territory segment, by all accounts a tough act to follow There was a hint in the Maserati press about a 4c version with a Maserati badge, but Maserati in the own press have gone down the main stream route with SUVs and hybrids and stuff Shame in a way the Maserati Alfieri has been delayed. Maserati: Alfieri delayed, hybrids and SUVs coming | Top Gear
The SUV phenomenon just keeps on growing. According to Motorsport, the Bentley Bentayga is a runaway success and VW are working out how to increase production to keep up. For a car that is nothing more than a re-skinned and re-trimmed Audi Q7...
recent history tells us that Ferrari have no regard for how their great nameplates are used. Calling a limp-wristed 2+2 "California" was already desecration, wasting "GTC4" and "Lusso" on the same car, "Superfast" on a standard production V12, the list goes on.
Marketing rules! Masearti did the same thing the first defamation was the Ghibili, losing the Bora name to VW( idiots) at least they have had the sense to name 100th commemorative car the Alfieri and not rehashing a classic.
I liked but did'nt love the California i drove, i consider it a proper Ferrari even though it would like the others have FCA bits/pieces in it [does it matter?] You want a classic line from Sergio, go Google where he dumped on the Jeep Commander, that was gold [and uncalled for]