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In honor of the founder's son Alfredino “Dino” Ferrari who died of muscular dystrophy in 1956, the Dino brand name represented mid-engine rear-wheel-drive models with less than 12 cylinders which were produced by Ferrari between 1968 and 1976. Groomed to be the successor of Ferrari, Dino was credited for designing the first Ferrari built V6 engine which was first used in motorsports and then later produced in the Fiat Dino in 1966 to help Ferrari homologate the engine for use in Formula 2 racing. Then in 1968 Ferrari produced their own Dino 206 which was their first mid-engined vehicle. The Dino 206 is widely considered one of the best Ferrari's ever made.

Now Ferrari is reviving the Dino name with their most “affordable” entry level 400hp V8 model which is expected to open Ferrari up to a whole new market. The Dino is rumored to be produced at the Maserati plant in Modena and is expected to start at EUR 100,000 with a potential 4000 units per year which doubles Ferrari's current production. The Dino is expected for 2009 launch with a spider version following.