Ferrari once tried to start a separate, lower cost brand and called it the Dino. The brand was named after Enzo Ferrari's son, Alfredino, who, sadly, passed away at the young age of 24 from muscular dystrophy. The Dino-badged sports car was a rear-engined V6 powered vehicle that was in production from 1968 to 1976.

Now, it seems Ferrari wants to bring the Dino badge back, but as a model name and not as its own brand. Or not. It may just be that these spy shots are for another new Ferrari model since previous spy photos of various F430s and 599 GTB Fioranos were thought to be the Dino. However when full bodied California prototypes started turning up on the roads, the F430 and 599 mules disappeared - until now (post Califronia debut). In any case, if it is the Dino after all, it will be a new lower-cost roadster which Ferrari can sell at higher volumes that could help the brand's bottom line in these difficult times.

This particular prototype using the 599 GTB Fiorano body looks quite normal except for the different front bumper, slightly unevenly shaped headlamp lenses, single pipe dual exhaust and a peculiar removeable hard top. Pre California rumors said the Dino will likely come with a slightly less refined V8 spewing 400 horses of power and placed at the rear. It will be fairly priced, meaning rather reasonable for a Ferrari, between 100,000 and 115,000 euros. There will be both a coupe and cabriolet version. Volumes could be as high as 4,000 per year, and if Ferrari can keep its margins healthy enough on the Dino, it will be a real winner.