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An interview in
the current issue of the monthly Car magazine, sees
Ferrari's deputy Managing Director Amedeo Felisa and Product
Development Director Massimo Fumarola, answer some
interesting questions, which include 'emphatically' denying
that a 'Dino' brand is set to be launched.
So, will Ferrari expand, was the first question to be asked.
"Definitely not. Even though it will make more than 5000
cars this year, and is selling in ever increasing numbers
like Russia and China, Ferrari must remain an exclusive
brand. "Porsche is the benchmark because they have the best
balance sheet in the world," admits product development
director Massimo Fumarola. "we may increase volumes but only
very slightly. Selling cars in more territories doesn't
undermine exclusivity."
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Cutaway view of
Ferrari's new Double Shift Gearbox, which is
currently under development at Maranello |
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In 1969 the Ferrari Dino 246GT appeared on the
scene. The engine was a larger 2419cc unit than had
been fitted to the Dino 206GT, and was now with a
cast-iron block and producing 195bhp. This increased
power, however, was hardly enough to offset the
increased weight, resulting from both the cast-iron
block, a stretched wheelbase and a steel body. |
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In
interview with Car magazine, Ferrari's deputy
Managing Director Amedeo Felisa and Product
Development Director Massimo Fumarola,
'emphatically' deny that there are plans to create
an entry-level 'Dino' brand. |
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So no new Dino then? "Emphatically no. The possibility of a
smaller, less expensive Ferrari has been looked at -
especially as the current 'entry level' model is the 118,500
GBP F430 - but, says deputy managing director Amedeo Felisa,
"It would destroy the entire model range and proposition. We
think that the way things are configured now is correct,
though we want to bring down waiting lists to around 15
months."
Will the next Enzo be chasing the Bugatti Veron's mega
output? "What is power?" says Felisa. "Its a big discussion
internally. Ferrari is about overall performance, not simply
about the greatest horsepower. We wont just do big power for
marketing purposes. We are looking at the possibility of
smaller, more compact engines, and at supercharging. But a
V12 will always head the range." Legislative changes and
ever tightening emissions regulations have prompted Ferrari
to investigate forced induction.
Has the Bugatti's 'Direct Shift Gearbox' (DSG) sent Ferrari
back to the drawing board? "We are looking into it," says
Fumarola. "We definitely believe that its the future. But it
takes time to develop properly." Adds Felisa: "If you want
the best balance between comfort and speed, then its the
right way to go. It would fit with the character of the
612."
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