488 [Spy Shots] Ferrari Dino 488 Hybrid Mule

[Toldi911]

Ferrari Dino 488 Hybrid Mule

Hey all,

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[tristatez28lt1]

MY2020 488 M

 

[sako97]

Hopefully we get an all-new shape and interior. Pista aside, the 458/488 just looks very dated to me and isn't something I find desirable for an Italian 'exotic'.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

Hopefully we get an all-new shape and interior. Pista aside, the 458/488 just looks very dated to me and isn't something I find desirable for an Italian 'exotic'.

Definitely, as we've had the same basic shape since the 458's intro.

 

[A.P.]

New interior is needed asap.

 

[M.N.D]

Liking a design or not is a matter of a personal preference and and something that is subjective, but I still think that both the 458 and its evolution, the 488, have a sharp design with a strong street presence that can't go unnoticed.

What makes me interested when I read some of the opinions about the Ferrari being a tired design is that compared to it (and other supercars of the same class), the Porsche 911, one of the most loved sport cars and a standard to be measured against, has nearly maintained the same design since its introduction over 50 years ago, yet few think that its shape is old or dated, whether it's the current 991, the previous 997 or whatever generation that was before.

The 911 is way more ubiquitous compared to a mid engine Ferrari or a Lamborghini or a McLaren, so I can say that seeing one of these supercars is more of an event compared to the Porsche, considering that we, folks who don't or can't offer to own these cars, care about the most (seeing the car in the metal).

I've seen very few 458/488 in front of me, and they still show me a striking view that is almost never tiresome, even after almost 10 years...

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

I think it's the McLarren 720s the one that made the other three to look old in and outside

 

[Centurion]

Liking a design or not is a matter of a personal preference and and something that is subjective, but I still think that both the 458 and its evolution, the 488, have a sharp design with a strong street presence that can't go unnoticed.

What makes me interested when I read some of the opinions about the Ferrari being a tired design is that compared to i...

Lamborghini and Ferrari are fashion and strong design evolutions are expected every 7-8 years like 348 and 355 to 360 and F430 to 458 and 488. I'm not ready for the next mid-engine design language which I hope will include quad tail lights.

I love the look of the J50 and hope the 488 successor takes inspiration from it.

 

[M.N.D]

Lamborghini and Ferrari are fashion and strong design evolutions are expected every 7-8 years like 348 and 355 to 360 and F430 to 458 and 488

That's correct and I'm aware of that. It's just a matter of a personal opinion that the 458 / 488 still looks like a modern design. It's not a very common sight that is seen around every corner in the streets compared to other cars (depends on where you live)

If you look at the 348 or the 355, you can tell that their design language originated back in the 70s with the debut of the 308. The successors 360/430 had a new design language that was streamlined, less blocky and more sculpted.

When the 458 debuted back in late 2009, it made a big impact on the automotive community and how everyone was amazed by it. Its design was new and considered radical compared to its predecessors, with almost no relation to previous models. For a design to be considered old and tired, it needs to have a design elements that were familiar and seen before, and the 458 didn't have any of that.

I mentioned the Porsche as an example of a design that didn't change since its introduction. If you look at the spy shots of the next 911 you can see that it's a subtle evolution of the 991, which was an evolution of the 997, which was an evolution of the 996, which was an evolution of.... you get the idea.

However, many people in the automotive community are enthusiastically anticipating its reveal and almost everyone is okay with the fact that it doesn't look that different from its predecessors. I understand that the 911 is a very iconic and distinguished design that no one wants to mess with, but it's difficult to keep the design fresh and relevant.

 

[Centurion]

That's correct and I'm aware of that. It's just a matter of a personal opinion that the 458 / 488 still looks like a modern design. It's not a very common sight that is seen around every corner in the streets compared to other cars (depends on where you live)

If you look at the 348 or the 355, you can tell that their design language originated back in t...

Yeah the 458 was a huge design revolution both inside and out. The 911 is huge exception as I can't think of any other car that's been so evolutionary for decades but remains in great demand.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

I think some of it has to do with the fact that Lambo, Ferrari, McLaren, etc. generally have a wedge design that's continuously tinkered with. Whereas the 911 is the anti-wedge (oh, here we go again ) and its "bath-tub" design and its engine hanging aft of the rear axle, both traits that are not exactly thought of regarding perfomance driving, they just work very well and work very well for quite some time.

There was a time when the 911 was thought to feel tired or be approaching its limits, hence the introduction of the 928 to eventually replace the 911. However, the folks at Porsche realized that they now have an icon on their hands and its "legend" continues to grow to this day. Also considering it's relatively less mechanically temperamental as compared to the Italian counterparts, that has also contributes to its reputation. All those attributes are what have me desiring a 911 as my first sports cars if I ever were in the position to get one.

Back to the Ferrari...for the interior, I hope there's a little more charm to it. Sometimes I find these interiors, while a bit dated, start to feel a bit too clinical as well. Admittedly it'll be a fine line to walk of being ergonomically proper for performance driving while trying not to overdo it where it becomes too dramatic and kitschy.

 

[M.N.D]

Yeah the 458 was a huge design revolution both inside and out. The 911 is huge exception as I can't think of any other car that's been so evolutionary for decades but remains in great demand.

I believe that a part of what helped the 911 to achieve its status is the very successful participation in different types of production based motorsports over the years that lead to establish a strong reputation as a solid sports car. Several versions were derived from the 911 platform which proved its versatility. The car was considered affordable back then and (I think) the main German compititor to the many italian sports cars back in the 60s and the 70s.

Ferrari on the hand was heavily involved in Formula 1 and Prototype sportscar racing, and since their racing chassis changed over the years, so their homolgated road going models and didn't stick to concept of having a single series with the same name, as Ferrari's nomenclature always depends on the engine's displacement and configuration.

These are my personal thoughts, by the way. Can't state them as facts.

I think some of it has to do with the fact that Lambo, Ferrari, McLaren, etc. generally have a wedge design that's continuously tinkered with.

That's a good point, and I believe that this helps thier cars to stay distinctive and relevant even when they're replaced. Unless you see them every half an hour, a Ferrari 360 / 430 or a Lamborghini Gallardo, even though they are old by now, will always have a special road presence, and the cars look more distinctive compared to the Porsche.

I love the look of the J50 and hope the 488 successor takes inspiration from it.

The J50 looks very nice for sure, and I'm assuming that Ferrari is going back to the quad circles tail lights judging by this one, the 812 and the GTC4. I believe they have a better look compared to the overly simple single one.

Ferrari is my favourite among the main exotic car makers, so I'm interested to see how the new car will look, and moreover, how their new line will become, considering that there will be two lines of their super sport mid engine offerings...

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

I believe that a part of what helped the 911 to achieve its status is the very successful participation in different types of production based motorsports over the years that lead to establish a strong reputation as a solid sports car. Several versions were derived from the 911 platform which proved its versatility. The car was considered affordable back...

Absolutely true about how these marques' motorsport history/background/contributions providing an additional sense of desire. And, yes, even though a 360 or a Gallardo looks relatively aged, it still manages to turn heads. Well, at least my head, can't speak for the general public.

 

[Mafalda]

but don't call it "Dino"...

 

[tristatez28lt1]

Ferrari Dino Revival Spied Testing V6 Engine, Prototype Wears Heavy Camouflage
Ferrari Dino Revival Spied Testing V6 Engine, Prototype Wears Heavy Camouflage

Ferrari hasn't used a V6 engine in its cars since the 70s, when it introduced the Dino as a sub-brand that would give customers a more accessible path into the Prancing Horse realm. Well, Maranello is almost ready to bring back the V6 and this time around it will sell it under its own name.

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The future twin-turbo V6 has already been confirmed by the Italian automotive producer. The company has mentioned this is a new engine designed compared to the 3.0-liter TT V6 motors used by Maseratis of the Ferrari-designed 2.9-liter TT V6 units found on Alfa Romeo's Quadrifoglio range-toppers.

Most, if not all, of the future V6 applications will see the unit being matched with at least one electric motor, all in a bid to cope with the ever-stricter emission standards.

Come to think about it, Aston Martin, who has made no secret out of targeting Ferrari in its mid-engined revolution, has already announced a twin-turbo V6 architecture for the AM-RB 003 and the future Vanquish (the latter may or may not get the electric bits, though).

Returning to Ferrari, the V6 powertrain will be used on multiple models, such as the upcoming Purosangue SUV and more than one mid-engined machines. In fact, the automaker is expected to introduce an all-new entry-level supercar with the said engine, even though the company's CEO Louis Camilleri has dismissed the rumors of this bringing back the Dino nameplate.

And while we've spotted multiple Ferrari prototypes testing the hybrid powertrain, these were mules using the bodies of existing models. Well, the image you can find above, whoch comes from Just Supercars, a closed Facebook group, shows a heavily clad test vehicle. And we expect this to be the so-called Dino revival.

As opposed to McLaren, for instance, Ferrari fully camouflages its prototypes, so while testers could be spied in better resolution (this is an understatement), we probably won't get to see any actual design bits until the launch, even though a leak might help with that.