The 456 succeeded the 412 as a front-engine V12 four-seater and was unveiled in Paris in October 1992. Its name traces back to the displacement of 456 cm³ per cylinder. Pietro Camardella penned it at Pininfarina, drawing inspiration from the 365 GTB Daytona. The 65° V12 with 442 PS was derived from the Dino V6 rather than the usual 60° twelve-cylinders; after the Porsche 959, the 456 was considered the second-fastest production four-seater in the world. The revised 456M from 1998 was the last Ferrari with pop-up headlights.
Summarized from the sources cited below; every figure in the text was automatically verified against the sources.
Learn moreBody and chassis · Engine and performance · The 456M
Body and chassis
The tubular steel frame carries aluminum body panels welded via a specialized intermediate layer called Feran, which makes bonding steel and aluminum possible in the first place. Pininfarina built the body until 1996, after which production shifted to Ferrari; in total, Pininfarina supplied 1435 bodies. The wheels are suspended on double wishbones, with self-leveling suspension at the rear, an anti-dive system up front, and the driver can choose between normal and sport settings.
Engine and performance
The 65° V12 with four valves per cylinder and Bosch Motronic M2.7 was the most powerful production Ferrari upon its launch. It accelerates from a standstill to 97 km/h in 4.8 seconds and completes the standing 400 m in 13.3 seconds. In 1996, the management system was updated to Motronic M5.2, and the engine received the designation F116C. A further developed version later powered the 550 Maranello.
The 456M
The "M" stands for Modificata. The air intakes on the hood and the brake cooling ducts on the front apron were eliminated in favor of a larger front air intake. The front suspension received new control arms to counteract dive under braking, along with 330 mm brake discs from the 550 Maranello. At the rear, a fixed underbody spoiler replaced the motorized unit that extended above 105 km/h on the older model. The 456M was 33 mm longer.
Summarized from the cited sources; every figure was automatically verified against the sources.
Frequently asked questions about the Ferrari 456 GT / 456M
When was the Ferrari 456 GT / 456M built?
The Ferrari 456 GT / 456M was built from 1992 to 2003.
How much power does the Ferrari 456 GT / 456M have?
Power of the Ferrari 456 GT / 456M: 321–325 kW.
What engine does the Ferrari 456 GT / 456M have?
Engine of the Ferrari 456 GT / 456M: 5.5 l F116 B/C V12. It is mounted at the front.
How many Ferrari 456 GT / 456M were built?
3289 units of the Ferrari 456 GT / 456M were built.
Who designed the Ferrari 456 GT / 456M?
Design of the Ferrari 456 GT / 456M: 456: Pietro Camardella and Maurzio Corbi (interior) under Lorenzo Ramaciotti at Pininfarina; 456M: Ken Okuyama at Pininfarina.
What are the predecessor and successor of the Ferrari 456 GT / 456M?
Predecessor: Ferrari 412. Successor: Ferrari 612 Scaglietti.
1996