Spy Shots: Ferrari ”Dino”

Ferrari is adamant that there won’t be any car wearing the famous prancing horse label positioned below the current F430. However, this test mule caught by spy photographers outside Ferrari’s factory in Maranello is most likely a new entry level model from the Italian supercar maker. Clear giveaways that this isn’t just another F430 are the widened front fenders, missing side panels denoting that there’s likely to be a different cooling system, plus the slightly modified rear axle and gearbox. However, the biggest factor was an account from the actual spy photographers who mentioned that the sound emanating from this car wasn’t as sharp as the regular F430’s.

Also seen within the factory compounds were a BMW M6 and Aston Martin V8 Vantage, the most likely benchmark for the new coupe. Unlike the original Dino that featured a V6, the new car, which is unlikely to carry that nameplate, will be powered by a V8 engine. Rumours suggest a 4.0L unit with at least 400hp in both Coupe and Spyder configurations.

Sales could start by 2009 with a planned production of 4000 units per year at the Maserati plant in Modena. It was previously reported that the new small Ferrari could platform share with the Maserati Coupe and Alfa 8C Competizione. Follow the jump to see the full image plus a possible rendering.

[Source: Winding Road]