Fiat-Chrysler’s (NYSE:FCAU) Boss Hints A New ‘Dino’ In Work

Fiat-Chrysler’s (NYSE:FCAU) Boss Hints A New ‘Dino’ In Work

The Ferrari Dino GT was born to memorialize Enzo’s son. When it came to market in the late ’60’s it was a smaller and more affordable mid-engined sportscar produced between Ys 1968 and 1976, 1st as the 206 and then the 246.  Now Ferrari’s boss says it could come back as an all-new Ferrari/Dino model.

“It is a when not an if,” says Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (NYSE:FCAU) majority owner of the iconic Italian sports car maker. “We know that Dino is an under-used resource, and that is why we need to get it right.”

He agrees that a Dino model could have around 500 horsepower, be smaller and lighter than the mid-engine, V8-powered 488, and could even have a V6 engine just like the original Dino’s had.

Ferrari collaborated on the development of the V6 engine design for Maserati and forthcoming Alfa Romeo models. A future Dino-badged model could share the same engine. “The 6-cylinder response has been positive,” says the CEO.

Mr. Marchionne is adamant that a Dino would not be seen as, or be, a budget Ferrari.

However, there is the possibility that Dino could be launched as a standalone brand, just as it was when it was 1st introduced, Dino did not become Ferrari Dino till later in the  production. “You don’t screw around with the interests of your customers,” says M.r Marchionne.

Dino was originally created to compete with Porsche’s 911.

Enzo Ferrari reasoned that he did not want to reduce the price of his more expensive models to compete with the more affordable German sports car. Ferrari could do good business in a lower-priced arena hence the 206 Dino GT, but Mr. Marchionne is clear that he will not chase sales at the expense of the brand. “I would never try to sell another 500 cars at the expense of the Ferrari name,” he says.

It a Ferrari built for the road, not the track, it looked beautiful thanks to Pininfarina’s flowing design, I had a 206 and a 246, fun cars that now command big prices and are sought after by collectors.

The Peter Klutt Collection to be auctioned by Gooding & Company at Pebble Beach in August includes a 1967 Ferrari Dino 206 SP (Estimate $2,600,000 – $3,000,000)