Ferrari 456
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| Missing image Ferrari456.JPG 1999 Ferrari 456M | |
| Ferrari 456 | |
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| Manufacturer: | Ferrari |
| Class: | front-engined 2+2 |
| Production: | 1992 — 2003 |
| Predecessor: | Ferrari Mondial Ferrari 412 |
| Successor: | Ferrari 612 Scaglietti |
| 456 GT/GTA | |
| Production: | 1992 — 1997 |
| Body Styles: | Coupe |
| Engines: | 5.5 L V12 |
| 456M | |
| Production: | 1998 — 2003 |
| Body Styles: | Coupe |
| Engines: | 5.5 L V12 |
| This article is part of the automobile series. | |
The Ferrari 456 and 456M are high-performance Ferrari front-engined grand tourer cars. 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.
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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.
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.
Rare Body Styles
While the 456 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, and three of them were built especially for the Sultan of Brunei.
- 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. There are also a small number of aftermarket conversions made by the R. Straman Company of Costa Mesa, California. Boxer Mike Tyson bought one such convertible.
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.