The Ferrari 456 and 456M (Type F116) are
front-engine
In automotive design, a front-engine, front-wheel-drive (FWD) layout, or FF layout, places both the internal combustion engine and driven roadwheels at the front of the vehicle.
Usage implications
Historically, this designation was used reg ...
grand tourer
A grand tourer (GT) is a type of car that is designed for high speed and long-distance driving, due to a combination of performance and luxury attributes. The most common format is a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive two-door coupé with either ...
s which were produced by
Ferrari
Ferrari S.p.A. (; ) is an Italian luxury sports car manufacturer based in Maranello, Italy. Founded by Enzo Ferrari (1898–1988) in 1939 from the Alfa Romeo racing division as ''Auto Avio Costruzioni'', the company built its first car in ...
from 1992 to 2003. The 456 was a replacement for the front-engine
412 as the company's V12-powered four seater. The updated 456M, which was the last Ferrari model to use
pop-up headlamps
Hidden headlamps, also commonly known as pop-up headlamps, pop-up headlights, flip-eye headlamps, or hideaway headlights, are a form of automotive lighting and an automotive styling feature that conceals an automobile's headlamps when they are not ...
, was replaced in 2004 by the
612 Scaglietti
The Ferrari 612 Scaglietti (Type F137) () is an Executive car, executive 2+2 (car body style), 2+2 coupé Gran Turismo (automobile), grand tourer manufactured by Italian automobile manufacturer Ferrari between 2004 and 2010. It was designed to rep ...
.
456
Pietro Camardella designed the original 456 Grand Tourer at Pininfarina. It was available in GT and (from 1996) GTA models. The former has a six-speed manual, and the latter has a four-speed automatic developed in partnership with
FF Developments
FF (Ferguson Formula) Developments Limited (FFD) was a British company founded by Major A.P.R. (Tony) Rolt to exploit the 4WD technology begun originally at Dixon-Rolt Developments in partnership with Freddie Dixon and, from 1950 at Harry Fergus ...
, in
Livonia, MI
Livonia is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 95,535 at the 2020 census, which ranked it as Michigan's ninth most-populated municipality.
Livonia is a part of Metro Detroit and is located about west of th ...
(which was later purchased by
Ricardo Engineering in the UK.) The automatic transmission used in the 456 was the second and last conventional
hydraulic automatic transmission
An automatic transmission (sometimes abbreviated to auto or AT) is a multi-speed transmission used in internal combustion engine-based motor vehicles that does not require any input from the driver to change forward gears under normal driving ...
with a
torque converter
A torque converter is a type of fluid coupling that transfers rotating power from a prime mover, like an internal combustion engine, to a rotating driven load. In a vehicle with an automatic transmission, the torque converter connects the power ...
to be offered by Ferrari. (The transmission found its latest use in the 400/412 series.) The 5.5 L (5,473.91 cc)
65°
V12 engine
A V12 engine is a twelve-cylinder piston engine where two banks of six cylinders are arranged in a V configuration around a common crankshaft. V12 engines are more common than V10 engines. However, they are less common than V8 engines.
The fi ...
was derived from the
Dino V6 rather than the more conventional 60° V12s used in the
412 and
Daytona Daytona refers to the city of Daytona Beach, Florida, or things named after it.
Daytona may also refer to:
Locations
* Daytona Beach Shores, Florida
* South Daytona, Florida
* The Daytona Beach metropolitan area
* Halifax area, also known as Da ...
. It is rated at , with
4 valves per cylinder and Bosch Motronic M2.7 engine management. Ferrari claims it could push the car to a top speed of , making it the world's second fastest production four-seater automobile behind the
Porsche 959
The Porsche 959 is a sports car manufactured by German automobile manufacturer Porsche from 1986 to 1993, first as a Group B rally car and later as a road legal production car designed to satisfy FIA homologation regulations requiring at least 2 ...
.
Acceleration from 0- takes 4.8 seconds, with a 13.3 second quarter-mile time.
At the time of its development, it was the most powerful regular production road car ever developed by Ferrari. In 1996, the engine management system changed to Motronic M5.2 management and the engine with the updated system given the F116C code.
The name 456 is derived from the fact that each cylinder displaces 456 cubic centimeters. This was the last Ferrari to use this naming convention until the
488 GTB. Despite its exceptional performance, the 456 has a relatively unstressed engine, which has proven to be a very reliable unit. A further developed version of this engine was used in the front-engined
550 Maranello grand tourer that was introduced in 1996 and which became the most powerful naturally aspirated Ferrari road car aside from the 456.
The chassis is a tubular steel space-frame construction with a one-piece composite bonnet and body panels of aluminium. The body panels are welded to the chassis by using a special "sandwich filler" called ''feran'' that, when laid between, allows steel and aluminium to be welded. Pininfarina was responsible for the bodywork of the 456 until 1996 when production was moved to Ferrari. Total number of bodies made by Pininfarina amounts up to 1,435.
All early cars have Pininfarina script and badge, whilst all ''Modificatas'' only have the ''disegno Pininfarina'' scripts.
456M
![Paris - RM Sotheby’s 2016 - Ferrari 456M GTA - 1999 - 006](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2d/Paris_-_RM_Sotheby%E2%80%99s_2016_-_Ferrari_456M_GTA_-_1999_-_006.jpg)
The 456M (M standing for ''Modificata'') was unveiled in 1998, starting with chassis number 109589. Many changes were made to improve aerodynamics and cooling and the interior – still featuring
Connolly Leather
Connolly Leather Limited was a British company that supplied highly finished leather primarily to car manufacturers. Founded in 1878, it went out of business in that form in 2002. A successor firm, Connolly Brothers, UK, has resumed producing ...
– was refreshed with new seats and other conveniences (fewer gauges on the dash, and a new Becker stereo fitted in front of the shifter rather than behind as in the very shallow and special Sony head unit in the 456 GT). The 456 had a smaller grille with fog lights outside the grille. The undercarriage spoiler on the 456M is fixed, where the older 456 had a motorised spoiler that began its deployment above . The bonnet was the first commercial application of carbon fibre, the previous being made of a composite material. Power output remained unchanged on the Modificata using Bosch Motronic M5.2 engine management at ; the cylinder firing order was changed for smoother running and the torque remained the same for later versions of the 456 GT.
456 Bicolore Scaglietti
In the final year of production 2002/3, customers could specify their vehicle using the Carrozzeria Scaglietti Program. Launched at the
2002 Geneva Motor Show using
Michael Schumacher's own 456M GT as an example, customers could work with Ferrari personnel to create a highly individual car. Schumacher's car had a two-colour paint scheme, custom leather interior, re-worked instruments, an uprated handling pack, and cross-drilled
Brembo
Brembo S.p.A. is an Italian manufacturer of automotive brake systems, especially for high-performance cars and motorcycles. Its head office is in Curno, Bergamo, Italy.
History
Brembo was established in Paladina, Italy on January 11, 1961 ...
brakes. Such cars would be thus designated as a Tipo 456M GT(A) Scaglietti. The car is also known as the 456M GT "Schumacher Edition" as Schumacher was the first to commission the car. A total of 30 cars were produced, with only 10 being made with the 6-speed manual transmission.
Production
The total production of the 456 amounted to 3,289 units. These consisted of the following versions:
456: 1,951
*456 GT: 1,548
* 456 GTA: 403
456M: 1,338
* 456M GT: 688
* 456M GTA: 650
Performance
According to manufacturer estimates, the 456 GT can attain a top speed of
and can accelerate from. 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.2 seconds.
The GTA can attain the same acceleration at 5.5 seconds. The Modificata models had the same performance statistics as their respective predecessors.
''
Car & Driver
''Car and Driver'' (''CD'' or ''C/D'') is an American automotive enthusiast magazine. In 2006 its total circulation was 1.23 million. It is owned by Hearst Magazines, who purchased prior owner Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. in 2011. It was fou ...
'' magazine test results for 1995 456 GT were:
*Acceleration (seconds) : 0-: 4.8
*Standing quarter-mile, sec/mph: 13.3/107
*Braking 70-0 mph: 170 ft
*Lateral acceleration: 0.89 g
''
Road & Track
''Road & Track'' (stylized as ''R&T'') is an American automotive enthusiast magazine. It is owned by Hearst Magazines and is published 6 times per year. The editorial offices are located in New York, New York.
History
''Road & Track'' (often ab ...
'' magazine test results for the 1995 456 GT were:
* Acceleration: 0-: 5.1 seconds
* Standing quarter-mile: 13.4 seconds at 108.8 mph
* Braking 60-0 mph: 124 ft
''
Road & Track
''Road & Track'' (stylized as ''R&T'') is an American automotive enthusiast magazine. It is owned by Hearst Magazines and is published 6 times per year. The editorial offices are located in New York, New York.
History
''Road & Track'' (often ab ...
'' magazine test results for the 1997 456 GTA were:
* Acceleration: 0-: 5.1 seconds
* Standing quarter-mile: 13.6 seconds 103 mph
* Braking 60-0 mph: 120 ft
* Lateral acceleration: 0.93 g
''
Motor Trend
''MotorTrend'' is an American automobile magazine. It first appeared in September 1949, and designated the first Car of the Year, also in 1949.
Petersen Publishing Company in Los Angeles, California, Los Angeles published ''MotorTrend'' until 19 ...
'' magazine's test results for the 1997 456 GTA were:
*Acceleration: 0-: 4.9 seconds
*Standing quarter-mile: 13.3 seconds 105.2 mph
*Braking 60-0 mph: 114 ft
*Lateral acceleration: 0.88 g
*Top Speed, 177 mph
Other body styles
While the 456 2+2 coupé was the only version offered to the general public, five other bodystyles were made on special request of specific customers:
* Ferrari 456 GT Saloon: At least three of these 4-door
saloons (sedans) were built by Pininfarina especially for the
Sultan of Brunei
The sultan of Brunei is the monarchical head of state of Brunei and head of government in his capacity as prime minister of Brunei. Since independence from the British in 1984, only one sultan has reigned, though the royal institution dates bac ...
.
* Ferrari 456 GT Venice: A series of seven 5-door
estate (wagon) commissioned by
Prince Jefri Bolkiah
A prince is a male ruler (ranked below a king, grand prince, and grand duke) or a male member of a monarch's or former monarch's family. ''Prince'' is also a title of nobility (often highest), often hereditary, in some European states. The ...
of
Brunei
Brunei ( , ), formally Brunei Darussalam ( ms, Negara Brunei Darussalam, Jawi alphabet, Jawi: , ), is a country located on the north coast of the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. Apart from its South China Sea coast, it is completely sur ...
. After Pininfarina designed and built them, the prince purchased six. It is unknown if the seventh car was purchased by a private car collector or if the remaining car was actually used as a development mule for testing. Each car is rumoured to have cost the Sultan's brother around US$1.5 million. The first Ferrari estate ever built.
* Ferrari 456 GT Spyder: A convertible version of the 456, of which two were built by Pininfarina specially for the Sultan of Brunei.
* Ferrari 456 GT Cabriolet: There are also three aftermarket conversions made by the R. Straman Company of
Costa Mesa, California
Costa Mesa (; Spanish for "Table Coast") is a city in Orange County, California. Since its incorporation in 1953, the city has grown from a semi-rural farming community of 16,840 to an urban area including part of the South Coast Plaza–John Wa ...
, one of which was purchased by boxer
Mike Tyson
Michael Gerard Tyson (born June 30, 1966) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1985 to 2005. Nicknamed "Iron Mike" and "Kid Dynamite" in his early career, and later known as "The Baddest Man on the Planet", Tyson is cons ...
.
* Ferrari 456 Targa: An aftermarket conversion done on a 456GTA once belonging to
Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal ( ; born March 6, 1972), known commonly as "Shaq" ( ), is an American former professional basketball player who is a sports analyst on the television program ''Inside the NBA''. O'Neal is regarded as one of the greates ...
. Additional work included removal of the rear seats, to facilitate longer seat rails and a custom sound system.
File:Ferrari 456 GT Venice (2613856422).jpg, The 456 GT Venice (rear)
File:Ferrari 456 GT Venice (2613855644).jpg, The 456 GT Venice
File:1995 Ferrari 456 Convertible by Straman (100281), front right.jpg, One of three convertibles built by R. Straman
Awards
The 5.5 L V12 engine used in the 456 won the "over 4-litre" class of the
International Engine of the Year The International Engine of the Year is an annual competition for automotive industry internal combustion engines and electric motors, judged by a panel of automobile journalists from around the world. It is organised by UKi Media & Events' Automot ...
award for 2000 and 2001.
References
External links
Official websiteWhat Does a Ferrari 456 GT V12 Sound Like?
{{Ferrari
456
Pininfarina
Grand tourers
Coupés
Rear-wheel-drive vehicles
2000s cars
Cars introduced in 1992