Ferrari is undoubtedly one of the most exclusive manufacturers in automotive history. Access to its engines, know-how and distinctive mechanical signature is often an unattainable dream. And yet, over the decades, some very real models have had the privilege of carrying an engine designed in Maranello... without ever wearing the prancing horse on their hood. By industrial strategy, sporting necessity or technical opportunism, Ferrari has sometimes agreed to share its mechanical heart. The result? Cars that have become cult favorites, sometimes discreet, sometimes exuberant, but always fascinating. Here's a look at 11 models that offer a Ferrari experience without being Ferraris.
Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione: rebirth by Maranello
When the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione was unveiled, the message was clear: Alfa once again wanted to play in the court of the icons. To achieve this, the brand didn't hesitate to seek out one of the jewels of the Fiat empire at the time: the Ferrari F136 naturally-aspirated V8. This 4.7-liter engine, assembled in Maranello, offers a typically Ferrari sound and character. Installed in a spectacularly designed car, it transforms the Alfa Romeo 8C into a veritable object of desire.
Maserati 4200 GT and GranSport: Ferrari's V8 to relaunch the brand
In the early 2000s, Maserati emerged from a difficult period. After the Maserati-powered 3200 GT, the solution lay in a technical renaissance, embodied by the Coupé and GranSport. Under their hoods, we find the Ferrari F136 V8 in its first evolutions. This naturally-aspirated engine transforms these GTs into sensational machines. Noise, revs, character: all reminiscent of Ferrari, with a more subdued Maserati touch. These models mark a major turning point for the trident brand.
Maserati GranTurismo: the swan song of the naturally aspirated V8
With the GranTurismoMaserati takes the philosophy of Italian grand touring even further. The Ferrari F136 V8 evolved, gaining in displacement and nobility, while retaining its now-legendary sound. Designed more for mileage than for touring, the GranTurismo offers a more civilized interpretation of the Ferrari engine. A rare compromise, now in great demand as the latest V8 GranTurismos become the ultimate representatives of a bygone era.
Maserati Quattroporte: the super saloon with a Ferrari heart
Behind the elegant lines of a large sedan lies an exceptional engine. The Maserati Quattroporte from the 2004 to 2008 generations, and then the GTS from 2013, are equipped with Ferrari V8s capable of transforming a limousine into a veritable emotional machine. Few cars offer such a contrast between luxury, space and mechanical sensations. The Quattroporte remains one of the most charismatic sedans ever produced, precisely because of this engine from Maranello.
Maserati Ghibli V8, Levante V8 and Quattroporte V8: Ferrari in costume
In the 2010s, Maserati continues to exploit Ferrari know-how for its most prestigious models. The Ghibli V8, the Levante V8 and Quattroporte V8s, exclusively in their top-of-the-range versions (Trofeo or GTS), receive deeply adapted Ferrari engines, but still produced under the Ferrari-Maserati era. These engines set these models apart in their segment, clearly distinguishing them from the more common V6 versions. They also marked the gradual end of this historic collaboration.
Lancia Thema 8.32: the most unlikely luxury sedan
In the 1980s, Lancia dared the unthinkable: to install a Ferrari 308 V8 in a very conservative-looking front-wheel-drive sedan. The result was the Thema 8.32, a true Italian Q-ship. The engine is adapted, toned down and deprived of its flat crankshaft, but retains a mechanical nobility rare for a sedan of this type. A daring project, sometimes criticized for its balance, but which has become a cult classic.
Fiat Dino: Ferrari disguised as a Fiat
The Fiat Dino is undoubtedly the purest example on this list. Born of a need for competition homologation, it features a Ferrari V6 designed for Formula 2 racing. Available as a coupe and a spider, the Dino offers an exceptional mechanical experience under a Fiat badge. Its engine, named in homage to Enzo Ferrari's son, was a major part of Maranello's history, long before it powered Ferrari-badged Dino cars.
Lancia Stratos: the ultimate rally weapon
The Stratos is a legend, and its engine has a lot to do with it. It uses the Dino Ferrari V6, centrally mounted in a body designed by Marcello Gandini. Ferrari initially feared that this model would overshadow its own cars, but history proved Lancia right. The Stratos became one of the most iconic rally cars ever produced, and one of the purest expressions of the Ferrari engine outside Ferrari.
Maserati MC12: a legend
The MC12 is probably the most controversial case on this list. Powered by a V12 directly derived from that of the Ferrari Enzo, it is technically a Maserati, but shares almost everything with a Ferrari. Longer, wider and designed for competition homologation, the MC12 remains officially a Maserati. A Ferrari in disguise, yes, but without the prancing horse, which is why it belongs here.
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Missing are the Giulia and Stelvio, although the engine is produced at Termoli, the base is still Ferrari.
I could have used this V6 engine, because it's based on a Ferrari, but with significant modifications made by Alfa Romeo and produced at Termoli. In short, it's a bonus!