1972 Ferrari Dino 246 GT

1972 Ferrari Dino 246 GT Coachwork by Scaglietti - Design by Pininfarina

Calls for more power were answered with the 2.4 L (2,419.20 cc) Dino 65° V6 engine, DOHC, 2 valves per cylinder, 9.0:1 compression ratio, iron block with alloy heads. It produced 195 PS (192 bhp; 143 kW) at 7,600 rpm and 226 N*m; 166 lbf*ft (23 kg*m) at 5,500 rpm of torque, and was available as a fixed-top GT coupé or, after 1971, an open Spyder GTS. A detuned American version had an exhaust air pump, and timing changes which resulted in 175 hp (130 kW). The GT had 3X2-barrel 40 DCNF/6 or 40 DCNF/7 Weber carburetors. For the 246 a new version of the Dinoplex ignition was deployed, the more compact Magneti Marelli AEC103A system.

The 246 Dino GT weighed 2,380 lb (1,080 kg). The 246 Dino GTS weighed 2,426 lb (1,100 kg). The body was now mostly made of steel to save cost. The 246 Dino had a 2.1-inch (53 mm) longer wheelbase than the 206, at 92.1 inches (2,340 mm). The height of the 246 was the same as the 206 at 43.9 inches (1,120 mm). The new car had a revised interior. Other differences were 2 rows of 7 vents on the slightly longer engine lid of the 246 instead of 6 and a fuel cap flap cover instead of the exposed one of the 206.

Dino 246 production numbered 2,295 GT coupés and 1,274 GTS spyders, the latter being built after the Series III revision from 1972 to 1974 only, for a total production run of 3,569 cars. Three series of the Dino were built, with differences in wheels, windshield wiper coverage, and engine ventilation. The Series I cars (also known as L series), 357 of which were built until the summer of 1970, used the same center-bolt wheels and "clapping hands" windscreen wipers as did the 206. Series II cars (M series, built until July 1971 in 507 examples) received five-bolt Cromodora alloys and parallel moving wipers. The Series III cars (E series) had minor differences in gearing and fuel supply, and were built at a much higher rate as sales in the United States commenced with this version. 1,431 Series III GT coupés and 1,274 GTS removable top cars were built.

The 246 had a claimed top speed of 146 mph (235 km/h), although in July 1971 a road test by Britain's Motor magazine reported a top speed of 148 mph (238 km/h), which compared favourably with the 136 mph (219 km/h) achieved by a recently tested (though by now replaced) Porsche 911S. With a 0 to 50 mph (0 to 80 km/h) acceleration time of 5.5 seconds the Dino narrowly outperformed the Porsche again, although the Porsche was narrowly the winner on fuel economy. The manufacturer's recommended UK retail price of £5,485 was higher than the £5,211 asked for the Porsche. For comparison, the much larger, four-passenger Citroën SM high-performance luxury coupe sold for £4,700.

In a famous incident, a Dino 246 GTS was discovered in Los Angeles dig out by children in 1978, buried in a yard. The car was later revealed to be the victim of an elaborate insurance fraud perpetrated by the owner.

US market Dino compared with standard model

The Dino's 2.4 L V6 was also used in the Fiat Dino 2400 and the Lancia Stratos rally car.

There were some minor differences in trim for various markets, the most obvious being marker lights on US market Dinos. Group 4-style flared wheelarches were optional, as were seats from the 365 GTB/4 Daytona, the pair often ordered in conjunction with wide, sand-cast Campagnolo alloy wheels.

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