New Ferrari Dino in the Works

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV's Ferrari unit plans to bring back its iconic Dino nameplate in the form of a mid-engine sports car expected to be priced at about $180,000, Autocar reports.

FCA CEO and Ferrari Chairman Sergio Marchionne tells the publication the new Dino is "not a question of if but when." He hints that the new model will likely be powered by a twin-turbocharged V-6 that can generate 500 hp and zip from zero to 62 mph in less than 3.5 seconds.

Ferrari's current four-car lineup includes the California T, 488 GTB, F12 and FF supercars. The Dino would be priced slightly lower than the front-engine, $200,000 California T, but its mid-engine layout would deliver sports car performance more like a traditional Ferrari.

FCA currently uses twin-turbo V-6 mills in several Maserati models. Using such a powerplant in a Prancing Horse car would help the marque meet more stringent carbon dioxide emission regulations when Ferrari is spun off from FCA later this year.

Ferrari introduced the Dino brand with the original Dino 206GT named after Enzo Ferrari's eldest son Alfredo "Dino" Ferrari, who died from muscular dystrophy at age 24 in 1968. The company discontinued the nameplate in the mid 1970s.