Spy Shots: Ferrari test-mule on a dyno

Despite constant denials about the existence of a new small Ferrari from officials, images of a prototype being tested on a dyno have emerged. Rumored to be the successor to the original Dino, early reports suggest it will be launched by 2010, and to solve the problem of limited capacity at the Maranello plant, Ferrari will likely outsource production of the car to Maserati.

Camouflaged by the shell of a Maserati Gran Tursimo, the new small Ferrari is expected to share much in common with the car from Modena including a new folding metal roof. The engine, however, will share its design with the 4.7L V8 that will power the Alfa Romeo 8C according to the guys at Autoblog.it, but power will be boosted to differentiate the two cars.

One major factor against the introduction of a new Dino is the fact that Ferrari isn’t even meeting demand for its high-end models. A distinct attribute of the original Dino was that it was never badged as a Ferrari so, like the original, the new version may also be badged with something other than the Prancing Horse. This would also substantiate the claims from Ferrari's management that there is no 'Ferrari' Dino in the works.

Click here to see the rest of the dyno photos.