Ferrari 456

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Ferrari 456
1999 Ferrari 456M
Manufacturer: Ferrari
Production: 19922003
Predecessor: Ferrari Mondial
Ferrari 412
Successor: Ferrari 612 Scaglietti
Class: GT car
Body style: front-engined 2+2 Coupe
456 GT/GTA
Production: 19921997
Engine: 5.5 L V12
456M
Production: 19982003
Engine: 5.5 L V12

The Ferrari 456 and 456M is a high-performance Ferrari front-engined grand tourer. The 456 was introduced in 1992 as a replacement for the mid-engined Mondial as the company's 4-seat car. The updated 456M was replaced in 2004 by the 612 Scaglietti.

Contents

[edit] 456

The original 456 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, only the fourth automatic transmission ever offered by Ferrari. The flowing lines matched the 1990s Pininfarina aesthetic, replacing the hard edges of the previous models.

The 5.5 L (5474 cc) 65° V12 engine was derived from the Dino V6 rather than the more conventional 60° V12s used in the 412 and Daytona. It produced 436 hp with 4 valves per cylinder and could push the 3726 lb car to 186 mph. Acceleration to 60 mph was just 5.1 seconds, with a 13.4 second quarter mile time.

The name 456 is derived from the fact that each cylinder displaces 456cc, which times 12 equals 5.5 litres. It is essentially a detuned version of the engine that appears in the 550.

Approximately 2600 of all versions where built. Of these, 141 GTs and 61 GTA's were made for the UK. Only 6 of the 141 GTs were Rossa Corsa (racing red) - 4 had crema interiors, 2 in black. There were also only 2 Rossa Monza (Burgundy) cars, most 456s in the UK being silver or grey cars. Only 37 M GTs where made for the UK.

[edit] 456M

The Modificata 456M appeared in 1998. Many changes were made to improve aerodynamics and cooling, and the interior was freshened with new seats and other conveniences. Power was up to 442 hp and 406 ft.lbf, though performance remained the same.

[edit] Rare body styles

While the 456 fastback coupe was the only version to hit showrooms, three other rare body styles exist:

  • The rarest is the Ferrari 456 GT Sedan. Two of these 4-door sedans were built by Pininfarina especially for the Sultan of Brunei. They are the only known Ferrari sedans in existence.
  • An estate wagon called the Ferrari 456 GT Venice was also built. Only a small handful were made by Pininfarina. Prince Jefri of Brunei ordered seven to be built. After Pininfarina designed and built them, the prince only purchased six. The seventh one was sold off in 2005? for £195k and is now somewhere in England.
  • A convertible version called the Ferrari 456 GT Spyder also exists. Two of these convertibles were built by Pininfarina especially for the Sultan of Brunei. One of these is road tested in Forza Magazine issue 33. There are also two aftermarket conversions made by the R. Straman Company of Costa Mesa, California. Boxer Mike Tyson bought one such convertible. One of these cars is Blue with Tan Interior (100890).

[edit] Awards

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

[edit] Links

check out http://www.456gt.com for a database of cars

<-earlier Ferrari road car timeline, 1960-present ([edit])
Type 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
FR GT America 330 365 Daytona 550 575M 599
250 275
2+2 250GT 330GT 365GT GTC/4 GT4 400 400i 412 456 GT 456M GT 612
RMR V6/V8 206 246 308 308i 308qv 328 348 F355 360 F430
208
2+2 GT4 Mondial 8 Mondial 3.2 Mondial T
F12 365BB 512BB BBi Testarossa 512TR F512M
supercars 250 GTO 288 GTO F40 F50 F50 GT Enzo FXX
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