Dino 246 GT / Dino 246 GTS

Engineering and details

The V6 had dual overhead camshafts, two valves per cylinder, and a 9:1 compression ratio; Weber carburetors of the type 40 DCNF/6 or 40 DCNF/7 prepared the fuel mixture. For ignition, the more compact Dinoplex AEC103A variant from Magneti Marelli was used. The US version received a smog air pump and revised valve timing, producing 175 hp. The wheelbase grew by 2.1 inches compared to the 206, and the engine cover featured 2 rows of 7 cooling louvers instead of 6.

Three series

Series I (L-Series) comprised 357 cars through the summer of 1970 with center-lock wheels and the "clapping hands" windshield wipers as on the 206. Series II (M-Series) brought 507 cars through July 1971 with five-bolt Cromodora alloy wheels and parallel-wiping wipers. Series III (E-Series) featured minor changes to gearing and fuel supply and was produced in much higher numbers because US sales had now begun: 1431 GTs and 1274 GTSs.

Contemporary test

The British magazine Motor measured a top speed of 148 miles per hour in July 1971, while the Porsche 911S tested shortly before reached 136. For the sprint from 0 to 50 mph, the Dino needed 5.5 seconds, edging out the Porsche, which was somewhat more economical in return. For comparison: The much larger, four-seat Citroën SM cost 4700 pounds.

Summarized from the cited sources; every figure was automatically verified against the sources.