The ultimate italian coachbuilder site
The ultimate italian coachbuilder site
At the moment of the presentation of the Ferrari 456 GT, this elegant Gran Turismo represents the maximum technological expression of Ferrari, with technical features and solutions that anticipate the future cars of the Prancing Horse. The car was equipped with a specially developed Ferrari F116 V12 engine placed in the front position contrary to all the Ferraris of the period equipped with a rear engine. With 11 years of production it is currently the longest-running model in Ferrari history.
The Ferrari 456 GT was designed by Pietro Camardella at Pininfarina. It was available in GT and from 1996, in GTA version. The former has a six-speed manual, and the latter has a four-speed automatic developed in partnership with FF Developments, in Livonia, MI (which was later purchased by Ricardo Engineering in the UK.) The automatic transmission used was the second and last conventional hydraulic automatic transmission with a torque converter to be offered by Ferrari. (The transmission found its latest use in the 400/412 series.) The 5.5 L (5,473.91 cc) 65° V12 engine of the Ferrari 456 GT was derived from the Dino V6 rather than the more conventional 60° V12s used in the 412 and Daytona. It is rated at 442 PS (325 kW; 436 hp), 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 the world’s second fastest production four-seater automobile behind the Porsche 959. Acceleration from 0-97 km/h takes 4.8 seconds, with a 13.3 second quarter-mile time. At the time of its development, it was the most powerful regular production road car ever developed by Ferrari. In 1996, the engine management system changed to Motronic M5.2 management and the engine with the updated system given the F116C code.
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 until the 488 GTB. Despite its exceptional performance, the Ferrari 456 GT has a relatively unstressed engine, which has proven to be a very reliable unit. A further developed version of this engine was used in the front-engined 550 Maranello grand tourer that was introduced in 1996 and which became the most powerful naturally aspirated Ferrari road car aside from the Ferrari 456 GT. The chassis is a tubular steel space-frame construction with a one-piece composite bonnet and body panels of aluminium. The body panels are welded to the chassis by using a special “sandwich filler” called feran that, when laid between, allows steel and aluminium to be welded. Pininfarina was responsible for the bodywork of the 456 until 1996 when production was moved to Ferrari. Total number of Ferrari 456 GT amounts up to 1,435. All early Ferrari 456 GT have Pininfarina script and badge, whilst all Modificatas only have the disegno Pininfarina scripts.
Watch our video special about the Ferrari 456GT here:
In the world of automotive design, every curve, line, and detail is meticulously crafted to capture the essence of a brand. One such masterpiece is the Ferrari 456, a creation born out of the skilled hands and visionary mind of Pietro Camardella, a seasoned designer at Pininfarina.
Nel secondo appuntamento abbiamo l’onore di ospitare Pietro Camardella, stilista automobilistico con esperienza in Pininfarina, dove tra le sue creature ha dato vita alla Ferrari 456 GT. Abbiamo giá avuto il piacere di ospitare Camardella in un episodio della nostra serie su YouTube “Gentleman Garage”. Durante la serata ripercorriamo la sua carriera con un’attenzione particolare al percorso che l’ha portato in Pininfarina dove ha create le Ferrari piú iconiche degli anni 80 e 90.
The volume describes over 600 models that, from 1930 to today, have dictated the history of the motor car and spread Italian style around…
