For some time we've heard rumors that Ferrari has been considering the possibility of thinking about maybe considering producing an "entry level" model codenamed 4139. Autoweek says si, a $190k fourth model is on its way. The mag isn't naming sources. Nor are they naming its name; "California," " Dino" and "Piccolina" are all in the running. Apparently, the miniature pony will sport a 4.3-liter V8 just like its big brother F430 and cousins Alfa Romeo 8C and Maserati GranTurismo. However, it will only share a block with the F430. The baby gets all new injection rails, intakes, cylinder heads, valvetrains and some sort of never before used throttle body. The steerage class engine will also get direct injection (for improved mileage) and an eco-minded transmission. Even stranger, the latest Maranello product supposedly started life as a Maserati-Pininfarina joint [venture]. Weirder still, the 4139 will feature a Pininfarina-sourced folding steel top. Actually, Pininfarina might built a good chunk of the car as Ferrari's assembly lines are already at (or past) capacity. So, who's excited about a super-expensive, Maserati-derived, Pininfarina-built, 2+2 folding roof Ferrari (or not) that might be called Piccolina? Bueller?
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It might seem strange, but I am more impressed by mundane cars as an example of engineering endeavour. It is a far greater feat to design a Corolla than a Ferrari.
Still I’d rather drive the Ferrari.
It sounds like it will be a Ferrari that is about as authentic as the Magna Steyr X3 and the Nissan GT-R will proabably eat its lunch for a fraction of the price…that’s if you can get said Nissan for MSRP.
If there is any truth to this, why do it half-assed? It cheapens the brand. I mean it’ll probably sell, but so does the Cayenne.
A Nissan GT-R might be quicker but when it comes to taking women out for dinner I know which one will pull better…
Sounds like the Porsche 924 all over again. That might not be a bad thing for performance enthusiasts.
“Entry-level” that’s nearly twice as much as a Corvette ZR-1…that doesn’t sound like such a swell bargain to me, but then what do I know about the purchasing habits of the rich aspiring to be ultra-rich? Not a damn thing.
What a deal! For the price of a Vancouver condo, I can buy 2 of these and have no 40 year mortgage! The wife and I can live in each one and still have more room than that downtown condo!
If the car looks anything like the one in the picture, you can call me Ferris.
I don’t think a $190k car is really comparable to a 914.
Why has Ferrari’s pricing become so swollen. If I remember correctly from my youth they used to be about 1.5 to 2 times as expensive as a Porsche 911, now the “entry” level Ferrari is more then 2 times up to 3 times for the bigger ones. I love Ferrari’s but it seams like highway robbery now, what are they making like $100,000 in profit on each one even with the limited numbers they sell. There can’t be that much cutting edge engineering and materials compared to other performance cars.
What they need as an entry car that competes with a 911 in performance and price. But I guess that would make them lose some of their brand snob appeal.