Ferrari 456

Ferrari 456
Ferrari 456M GT
Overview
Manufacturer	Ferrari
Production	1992–1997 (456) 1998–2003 (456M) 3,289 produced[1]
Designer	Pietro Camardella under Lorenzo Ramaciotti at Pininfarina[2]
Body and chassis
Class	Grand tourer (S)
Body style	2-door 2+2 coupé
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Related	Ferrari 550
Powertrain
Engine	5.5 L Tipo F116B/F116C V12 (456) 5.5 L Tipo F116C V12 (456M)
Power output	442 PS (325 kW; 436 hp)
Transmission	6-speed manual 4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,600 mm (102.4 in)
Length	4,730 mm (186.2 in) 4,763 mm (187.5 in) (456M)
Width	1,920 mm (75.6 in)
Height	1,300 mm (51.2 in)
Kerb weight	1,690–1,770 kg (3,726–3,902 lb) (dry)[3]
Chronology
Predecessor	Ferrari 412
Successor	Ferrari 612 Scaglietti

The Ferrari 456 and 456M (Type F116) are front-engined grand tourers which were produced by Ferrari from 1992 to 2003. The 456 was a replacement for the defunct front-engined 412 as the company's V12-powered four seater. The updated 456M, which was the last Ferrari model to use pop-up headlamps, was replaced in 2004 by the 612 Scaglietti.

456

Ferrari 456

Engine

The original 456 grand tourer was designed by Pietro Camardella at Pininfarina which was available in GT and (from 1996) GTA forms. The difference in name signifies the transmission: the former has a six-speed manual and the latter has a four-speed automatic developed in partnership with FF Developments, in Livonia, MI (which was later purchased by Ricardo Engineering in the UK). This was the fourth automatic transmission ever offered by Ferrari. The 5.5 L (5,473.91 cc)^[3] 65° V12 engine was derived from the Dino V6 rather than the more conventional 60° V12s used in the 412 and Daytona. It produces 442 PS (325 kW; 436 hp), with 4 valves per cylinder and Bosch Motronic M2.7 engine management. It could push the 1,690 kg (3,726 lb) car and four passengers to a top speed of 302 km/h (188 mph) making it the world's fastest production four-seater grand tourer. Acceleration from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) takes 5.2 seconds, with a 13.4 second quarter-mile time. At the time of its development, it was the most powerful road car ever developed by Ferrari (aside from the F40). In 1996, the engine management system was changed to Motronic M5.2 management and the engine with the updated system.was given the F116C code.

The name 456 is derived from the fact that each cylinder displaces 456 cubic centimetres. 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 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.

456M

Ferrari 456M GTA

The Modificata 456M 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 – was freshened with new seats and other conveniences (fewer gauges on 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. It also had hood-mounted air scoops which could be seen removed on the 456M. The undercarriage spoiler on the 456M is fixed, where the older 456 had a motorized spoiler that began its deployment above 65 mph (105 km/h). Power output remained unchanged on the Modificata using Bosch Motronic M5.2 engine management at 442 PS (325 kW; 436 hp); the cylinder firing order was changed for smoother running and the torque remained the same for later versions of the 456 GT.

Production

The total production of the 456 amounted to 3,289 units. These consisted of the following versions:

• 456 GT: 1,548
• 456 GTA: 403
• 456M GT: 688
• 456M GTA: 650^[4]

Other body styles

The 456 GT Venice (United Kingdom)

The 456 GT Venice (United Kingdom)

While the 456 2+2 coupé was the only version offered to the general public, four other body styles exist made on special request of specific customers:

• Ferrari 456 GT Saloon: Two 4-door sedans (saloons) were built by Pininfarina especially for Nafsas Al Khaddaja of Belgium.^[5]
• Ferrari 456 GT Venice: It was a series of seven cars including 4-door sedans and 5-door wagon (estate) commissioned by Prince Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei. After Pininfarina designed and built them, the prince only purchased six and the remaining car was purchased by a private car collector in the United Kingdom. Each piece is rumoured to have cost the Sultan's brother around US$1.5 million.^[6]
• Ferrari 456 GT Spyder: It is a convertible version of the 456 of which two were built by Pininfarina especially for the Sultan of Brunei. There are also two aftermarket conversions made by the R. Straman Company of Costa Mesa, California. Boxer Mike Tyson bought one such cars.
• Ferrari 456 Targa: It is an aftermarket conversion done on a 456GTA once belonging to Shaquille O'Neal. Additional work included removal of the rear seats, to facilitate longer seat rails, and a custom sound system.

Awards

The 5.5 L V12 engine used in the 456 won the "over 4 litre" class of the International Engine of the Year award for 2000 and 2001.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ferrari 456.

• Official website
• What Does a Ferrari 456 GT V12 Sound Like?