The Ferrari 456 and 456M are front-engined grand tourers produced from 1992 to 2003. The 456 succeeded the 412 as Ferrari’s V12-powered four-seater, and the updated 456M was the last Ferrari model to use pop-up headlamps.
Ferrari 456 at a glance
| Production | 1992–2003 |
|---|---|
| Type | F116 |
| Layout | front-mounted V12, rear-wheel drive, four seats |
| Engine | 5,473.91 cc 65° V12 |
| Power | 442 PS (436 hp; 325 kW) |
| Valve gear | four valves per cylinder |
| Engine management | Bosch Motronic M2.7, M5.2 from 1996 |
| Gearbox | six-speed manual or four-speed automatic |
| Top speed | 309 km/h claimed |
| 0–60 mph | 4.8 s |
| Weight | 1,690 kg |
| Replaced by | Ferrari 612 Scaglietti |
based on one source (English Wikipedia).
History of the Ferrari 456
Introduced in October 1993, the 456 was designed by Pietro Camardella at Pininfarina, who took heavy inspiration from the 365 GTB Daytona. It was offered in GT form with a six-speed manual and, from 1996, in GTA form with a four-speed automatic developed with FF Developments of Livonia, Michigan. That automatic was the second and last conventional hydraulic automatic with a torque converter that Ferrari offered, the first having been used in the 400 and 412.
Engine
The 5,473.91 cc 65° V12 was derived from the Dino V6 rather than the 60° V12s used in the 412 and Daytona. It had four valves per cylinder and Bosch Motronic M2.7 engine management, and was rated at 442 PS. Ferrari claimed a top speed of 309 km/h, which at the time made it the world’s second fastest production four-seater behind the Porsche 959, with 0–97 km/h in 4.8 seconds and a 13.3-second quarter-mile. At the time of its development it was the most powerful regular production road car Ferrari had built. In 1996 the management changed to Motronic M5.2 and the engine was given the F116C code. The V12 is regarded by some as one of Ferrari’s more reliable engines, free of many of the major issues and heavy servicing requirements of other models.
The name and the end of the line
The name 456 came from the fact that each cylinder displaced 456 cubic centimetres, and it was the last Ferrari to use that naming convention. The 456M update kept the car in production until 2003, making it the last Ferrari with pop-up headlamps, and in 2004 the 612 Scaglietti replaced it.
Design and features
- 5.5-litre V12: a 65° engine derived from the Dino V6, with four valves per cylinder and 442 PS.
- Two gearboxes: a six-speed manual or a four-speed automatic from FF Developments.
- Daytona-inspired styling: Pietro Camardella’s Pininfarina body recalled the 365 GTB.
- Last pop-up headlamps: the 456M was the final Ferrari with them.
- Practical grand tourer: four seats, 309 km/h and a reputation for reliability.
Ferrari 456 versions
- 456 GT (1992–1998): six-speed manual.
- 456 GTA (1996–1998): four-speed automatic.
- 456M (1998–2003): updated model, the last with pop-up headlamps.
- F116C engine (from 1996): Motronic M5.2 management.
The 456 replaced the Ferrari 400 and 412 and was succeeded by the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti. More cars are in the Ferrari collection.
Video: Richard Hammond Reviews The Ferrari 456
Video by Men and Motors on YouTube.
Sources
- Ferrari 456, English Wikipedia: engine, transmissions, performance, model history
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