Ferrari · 1992–2003

Ferrari 456

The Ferrari 456 and 456M (Type F116) are front-engine grand tourers which were produced by Italian automobile manufacturer Ferrari from 1992 to 2003. The 456 succeeded the front-engine 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.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Ferrari 400 · Successor: Ferrari 612 Scaglietti

All Ferrari 456 data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

456

Introduced in October 1993, the 456 was designed by Pietro Camardella at Pininfarina. The designer took heavy inspiration from the 365 GTB Daytona when designing the car. It was available in GT and (from 1996) GTA trims. The former has a six-speed manual, and the latter has a four-speed automatic developed in partnership with FF Developments, in Livonia, Michigan (which was later purchased by Ricardo Engineering in Great Britain). The automatic transmission used in the 456 was the second and last conventional hydraulic automatic transmission with a torque converter to be offered by Ferrari (The transmission found its first use in the 400/412 series). The 5,473.91 cc (5.5 L) 65° V12 engine was derived from the Dino V6 rather than the more conventional 60° V12s used in the 412 and Daytona. It is rated at 325 kW; 436 hp (442 PS), with 4 valves per cylinder and Bosch Motronic M2.7 engine management. Ferrari claims it could push the 1,690 kg (3,726 lb) car to a top speed of 309 km/h (192 mph), making it, at the time, the world's second fastest production four-seater automobile behind the Porsche 959. Acceleration from 0-97 km/h (60 mph) takes 4.8 seconds, with a 13.3 second quarter-mile time (400 m). At the time of its development, the 456 was the most powerful regular production road car ever developed by Ferrari. In 1996, the engine management system was changed to a Motronic M5.2 management and the engine with the updated system was given the F116C code. The V12 in the 456 is considered by some to be one of Ferrari’s more reliable engines, not having many of the major issues and servicing requirements of other Ferrari models. The name 456 is derived from the fact that each cylinder displaces 456 cubic centimeters. This was the last Ferrari to use this naming convention u

456M

The 456M (M standing for Modificata) was unveiled in March 1998 at the Geneva Motor Show. Many changes were made to improve aerodynamics and cooling and the interior – still featuring Connolly Leather – was refreshed with new seats and other conveniences (three gauges on the dash instead of five, 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 and a revised real parcel shelf now featuring an integrated high level brake light). The intake ducts present on the bonnet on the original 456 were removed for a cleaner appearance and the size of the combined side markers/indicator lights was reduced. The brake ducts present on the apron of the original 456 were removed in favour of a larger intake located at the front of the car. The front suspension geometry now consisted of modified control arms to reduce dive under heavy braking and larger, 330 mm brake discs from the 550 Maranello were used at the front. At the rear of the car, a new bumper with a reshaped license plate housing was added along with a fixed undercarriage spoiler (the older 456 had a motorised spoiler that began its deployment above 105 km/h (65 mph)). This worked in conjunction with a new panel manufactured from fiberglass and PVC. The aerodynamic improvements to the 456M resulted in the car being 33 mm (1 in) longer than the 456. The bonnet was the first commercial application of carbon fibre, the previous being made of a composite material. 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. 456 Bicolore Scaglietti. The 456 Bicol

Production

The total production of the 456 amounted to 3,289 units. These consisted of the following versions: 456: 1,951 456 GT: 1,548 456 GTA: 403 456M: 1,338 456M GT: 688 456M GTA: 650

Performance

According to manufacturer estimates, the 456 GT can attain a top speed of 309 km/h (192 mph) and can accelerate from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.2 seconds. The GTA can attain the same acceleration at 5.5 seconds. The Modificata models had the same performance statistics as their respective predecessors. Car & Driver magazine test results for 1995 456 GT were: Acceleration (seconds) : 0-97 km/h (60 mph): 4.8 Standing quarter-mile, sec/mph: 13.3/107 Braking 70-0 mph: 170 ft Lateral acceleration: 0.89 g Road & Track magazine test results for the 1995 456 GT were: Acceleration: 0-97 km/h (60 mph): 5.1 seconds Standing quarter-mile: 13.4 seconds at 108.8 mph Braking 60-0 mph: 124 ft Road & Track magazine test results for the 1997 456 GTA were: Acceleration: 0-97 km/h (60 mph): 5.1 seconds Standing quarter-mile: 13.6 seconds 103 mph Braking 60-0 mph: 120 ft Lateral acceleration: 0.93 g Motor Trend magazine's test results for the 1997 456 GTA were: Acceleration: 0-97 km/h (60 mph): 4.9 seconds Standing quarter-mile: 13.3 seconds 105.2 mph Braking 60-0 mph: 114 ft Lateral acceleration: 0.88 g Top Speed, 177 mph

Other body styles

While the 456 2+2 coupé was the only version offered to the general public, five other bodystyles were made on special request of specific customers: Ferrari 456 GT Saloon: At least three of these 4-door saloons (sedans) were built by Pininfarina especially for the Sultan of Brunei. Ferrari 456 GT Venice: A series of seven 5-door estate (wagon) commissioned by Prince Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei. After Pininfarina designed and built them, the prince purchased six. It is unknown if the seventh car was purchased by a private car collector or if the remaining car was actually used as a development mule for testing. Each car is rumoured to have cost the Sultan's brother around US$1.5 million. The first Ferrari estate ever built. Ferrari 456 GT Spyder: A convertible version of the 456, of which two were built by Pininfarina specially for the Sultan of Brunei. Ferrari 456 GT Cabriolet: There are also three aftermarket conversions made by the R. Straman Company of Costa Mesa, California, one of which was purchased by boxer Mike Tyson.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name: Ferrari 456, Ferrari 456M
Manufacturer: Ferrari
Production: 16 July 1992–1997 (456), 16 July 1998–2003 (456M)
Assembly: Italy: Maranello
Designer: 456: Pietro Camardella and Maurzio Corbi (interior) under Lorenzo Ramaciotti at Pininfarina, 456M: Ken Okuyama at Pininfarina
Class: Grand tourer (S)
Related: Ferrari 550
Body style: 2-door 2+2 coupé
Layout: Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Transmission: 6-speed manual, 4-speed automatic
Engine: 5.5 L F116 B/C V12
Wheelbase: 2600 mm
Length: 4730 mm, 4763 mm (456M)
Width: 1920 mm
Height: 1300 mm
Kerb weight: 1690 – (dry)
Predecessor: Ferrari 412
Successor: Ferrari 612 Scaglietti
sp: uk

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q900741CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferrari_456CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1366793820 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1995Ferrari456GT.jpgPublic domain · Photo: Original uploader was Davidhanley at en.wikipedia · retrieved 2026-10-01
Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.