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Report: Ferrari Looking At V-6s Again

 
4 1,626 views Feb 9, 2010
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2010 Ferrari 458 Italia

2010 Ferrari 458 Italia

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Rumors of Ferrari's investigations into the use of V-6 engines are circulating once again, this time courtesy of an Autocar interview with CEO Amedeo Felisa. Last time around, the talk was of a turbo V-6 to extract maximum performance and fuel economy, but this time around it's not so clear, even as the V-6 looks more definite.

Felisa said only that a year ago, he would not have considered a V-6, but with changing attitudes among the company's customer base, it might be possible--in 20 years.

For those that think a V-6 engine isn't capable of delivering supercar performance, one need only look as far as the Nissan GT-R. That engine falls quite a bit short of the 458 Italia's 570-horsepower 4.5-liter V-8 engine, but with Ferrari's higher pricetags and even more impressive engineering, a twin-turbo V-6 could well provide ample supercar power--while potentially remaining a bit more fuel-conscious around town.

Leveraging technology to deliver better fuel economy without impacting power isn't new at Ferrari, with direct injection joining the lineup in the Ferrari California, and soon to spread. Perhaps more interesting that a turbocharged V-6 would be a small-displacement twin-turbocharged V-8 engine, like that found in the McLaren MP4-12C. The McLaren's 3.8-liter V-8 sucks in air through twin turbos to deliver a very Ferrari-like 600 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque.

Of course, any discussion of Ferrari V-6s would be incomplete without reference to the Dino 206 and 246--not actually a Ferrari, but designed by Ferrari engineers with the help of Enzo Ferrari's son Dino as he lay on his deathbed. That car sported a mere 2.0-liter displacement and 160-horsepower output in 206 trim, while the 246 grew to 2.4-liters and rated 175-horsepower in the U.S. due to restrictive emissions equipment--the European version managed 195 horsepower.

Ferrari is unlikely to go the Dino route again, however, and even if it were to under parent company Fiat's leadership, it would not be sold as a Ferrari.

[Autocar]





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Comments (4)

  1. By  matt Posted: 2/9/2010 1:52pm PST

    good idea Ferrari will want 350 to 400 horsepower with V6 Twin Turbo or Turbocharger is part cheap engine the exterior/interior are same traditional is more expensive. I think Rolls Royce will needs back to V8 engine or BMW's six inline Twin Turbo few years future.
     
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  2. By NoNameDenton Posted: 2/9/2010 3:34pm PST

    Return of the Dino.
     
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  3. By R2Dad Posted: 2/10/2010 9:08am PST

    A smaller powerplant for a smaller vehicle? Only if it's a track special or some outrageous hybrid saloon.
     
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  4. fb_100000275684479 avatar Michael Escobar Posted: 2/10/2010 11:47am PST

    I don't know. If Ferrari produces this engine, it could only logically be put in a Dino, lest Enzo should return from the grave to haunt Amedeo. Even though the car commemorated his own deceased son, Enzo would not allow a Ferrari badge to fall upon it. But that didn't stop U.S. dealers and owners from putting prancing horses on their cars! Ironically, the 246 has always been one of my favorite Ferraris, even if it actually wasn't! On another note, the Fiat Dino roadster with the same engine was one of the most beautiful roadsters ever built.
     
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