The iconic Dino series from Ferrari is set to make a comeback, according to the automaker's recently appointed chairman.
Rumors of a new Ferrari Dino have been making the rounds recently, and the revival is now official. No information is available yet regarding when exactly it will happen — but it's in the pipeline.
Referring to the return of the Dino to the carmaker's range, Ferrari Chairman Sergio Marchionne told Autocar that it's "not a question of if but when" it will debut.
The Ferrari Dino has not been a part of the company's line in four decades, which makes it even more intriguing to see it set to return. Dino launched as a Ferrari sub-brand aiming to offer a more affordable alternative and boost volumes, consisting of V6 and V8-powered cars back in the 1960s and '70s.
Ferrari now plans to bring back the Dino brand and V6 engines — but the company no longer wants to boost volumes, launch some other sub-brand or go for a more budget-friendly price point. The automaker is keen on protecting its brand, as Marchionne further explained.
"We may produce a 500 horsepower Ferrari but it will not be a cheap Ferrari," the chairman tells Autocar, highlighting the uniqueness of the Ferrari brand and the importance of protecting it.
"I would always rather build 500 fewer cars than the market demanded rather than 500 more. We must not mess with customer expectations of Ferrari as an exclusive brand."
It remains to be seen just when Ferrari will be ready to release its new Dino, but it's not expected until 2018 — at the earliest. At the same time, it's also unclear just what place the Dino will take in Ferrari's range of powerhouses, as the automaker offered no details regarding the upcoming car's targeted price range or engine options.
Autocar speculates that the new Dino could launch as a fifth model line in Ferrari's range, selling in parallel with the California T line to offer an alternative sporting experience in the same price range. The publication estimates the new Ferrari Dino will clock in at around $230,000.
Speculation aside, one thing's for sure: Ferrari is definitely planning a return for the Dino, and the car won't be a cheap option that would compromise the brand's reputation.
