1999 Ferrari 456 GT

The Ferrari 456 was an overdue replacement for the defunct front-engined 412 that had been in production from 1972 through 1989. The mid-engine configuration had become popular through marques such as Maserati and Lamborghini, and Ferrari had reluctantly replaced its traditional front-engined grand tourers with a line of mid-engine models. With the arrival of the 456 at the Paris Motor Show in 1992, Ferrari had shed the glamour and flamboyance of the 1980s and replaced it with a more studied, elegant approach to design.

The new design was courtesy of Pininfarina and the aluminum coachwork was chemically bonded to a tubular steel space-frame chassis. A new 65-degree V12 engine was developed from the Dino's V6 and displaced 5,474cc. Its name was derived from the fact that each cylinder was 456ccc. With the help of four valves per cylinder and a Bosch Motronic M2.7 engine management system, the engine delivered 436 bhp and 406 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 RPM, making it the most powerful ever produced - with the exception being the F40. The 456 had a top speed of 188 mph and could race from zero-to-sixty mph in 5.2 seconds. The new front-engined, four-seater was quicker around Ferrari's Fiorano test track than either of its existing mid-engined supercars, the 348 and 512TR. It was the world's second-fastest production four-seater automobile behind the Porsche 959.

The 456 Grand Tourer was available in GT and (from 1996) GTA configuration, with the GT being equipped with a six-speed manual and the GTA with a four-speed automatic (the 'A' in GTA being for automatic). The four-speed automatic was developed in partnership with FF Developments, in Livonia, MI.

In 1996, the engine management system changed to Motronic M5.2 management, and the engine with the updated system given the F116C code. Pininfarina was responsible for the bodywork until 1996 when production was moved to Ferrari. During that time, Pininfarina built 1,435 bodies and they are distinguished from the Ferrari-built bodies by their Pininfarina script and badge.

The Ferrari 456M was introduced in 1998 at the Geneva Motor Show, starting with chassis number 109589. The 'M' was for Modificata and incorporated numerous improvements to the interior, cooling, and aerodynamics. The interior continued to use Connolly Leather, but there were new seats, a new Becker stereo replacing the previous special Sony head unit, and fewer gauges on the dashboard. A smaller grille was flanked by fog lights outside the grille. The 456 had used a motorized spoiler that began its deployment above 105 km/h (65 mph), the 456M used a fixed spoiler. The engine was given a revised firing order for smoother operation, but horsepower and torque remained the same as its most recent predecessor.

As production was coming to a close in 2002, customers were able to create a bespoke version of their 456M. Introduced at the Geneva Motor Show using Michael Schumacher's own 456M GT as an example, customers were able to specify their vehicle using the Carrozzeria Scaglietti Program, personalizing the vehicles to their own needs/wants. Cars built to this configuration were designated as a Tipo 456M GT(A) Scaglietti, sometimes known as the 456M GT 'Schumacher Edition' as Schumacher was the first to commission the car. A total of 30 owners participated in this program including ten with manual transmissions.

Michael Schumacher's 456M GT was personalized with cross-drilled Brembo brakes, a two-color paint scheme, re-worked instrumentation, custom leather interior, and an uprated handling package.

Production of the 456 lasted from 1992 through 2003 with 3,289 examples built during that time. It was succeeded by the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti (Type F137) 2+2 coupe grand tourer which remained in production through 2011. Unlike the 456, the 612 was a true 4 seater with enough space in the rear seats to accommodate adults. It had a length of 193-inches and a wheelbase of 116.1-inches, compared to the 186.2-inches of the 456 (the 456M measured 187.5-inches) and a wheelbase of 102.4-inches. The six-liter V12 (5,748cc) engine powering the 612 delivered 533 horsepower at 7,250 RPM and 434 lb-ft of torque. Transmission options included a six-speed manual or the six-speed automated manual paddle-shift transmission. Production was handled at Ferrari's Carrozzeria Scaglietti plant. During its production lifespan, a total of 3,025 cars were built including 199 with a manual gearbox.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe
Chassis number: ZFFWP50A9X0111539

The Ferrari 456 GT was a 2+2 passenger car powered by a 5.5-liter engine offering 436 horsepower and had a top speed of 190 mph. A five-speed manual and four-speed automatic were both available from the factory. The 2+2 Coupe had a base price of $224,800.

In 1999, the Ferrari 456 GT received several modifications including to the headlights, front bumpers, and to the hood. In the back, the moveable wing was no longer moveable. The wheel centers received a color change, from yellow to silver.

This particular example is finished in silver with a red interior. It has an M engine management system, M Carbon fiber hood, M front grille, M leather seats, and M fixed wing.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe
Chassis number: ZFFWP44A6X0114788
Engine number: 52179

This 1999 Ferrari 456M GT is currently in the care of the original owner, Ferrari dealer Ron Tonkin. it is finished in the color scheme of Azzurro California over Avorio leather and fitted with the desirable gated six-speed manual transmission. It is one of just 640 manual-transmission examples produced between 1998 and 2004. Currently, there are 5,601 miles on the odometer.

The car was specified with a dark blue-colored upper dashboard and matching steering wheel. An aftermarket Tubi exhaust system was installed in October of 2002.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe
Chassis number: ZFFWP44A0X0116665

The Ferrari 456 was introduced in October 1993 and would be produced through 1997. An upgraded 456M (Modificata) followed in 1998, and while Pietro Camardella's Pininfarina design was largely unchanged, a few changes were implemented for additional performance. The hood was made of carbon fiber, and the interior was thoroughly overhauled to improve ergonomics. The firing order of the 5.5-liter V12 engine was changed for smoother operation, and with its output of 436 brake horsepower, the 456M retained its claim of being the fastest production four-seater from 1992 to 2002. Except for the F40, it was the most powerful Ferrari ever produced up to that point.

This particular Ferrari 456M GT was completed in June of 1999 and left wearing a Rosso Barchetta exterior with Daytona seats trimmed in Cuoio Natural Leather with Bordeaux seat piping, a Cuoio Natural Leather dash and steering wheel, and a silver dedication plate. It was sold new through Ferrari of Washington, DC, on October 30, 1999, to Rex Scatena, with the dedication plate on the dash commemorating his father. The car would remain in Connecticut under Mr. Scatena's ownership for nearly a decade.

Todd Rosenthal of Naples, Florida, became the car's next caretaker in July 2008 and owned it for nearly two years, at which time it was acquired by a private owner in March 2010. It would remain with them until June 2017, when it was sold to the current owner. Currently, this Ferrari has 21,345 miles on its odometer.

This Ferrari is one of 640 examples built between 1998 and 2004 with a gated six-speed manual transmission.

by Dan Vaughan

At the 2002 Geneva Motor Show, Ferrari introduced a special two-tone version of the 456M GT as a further example of the personalisation opportunities offered by the Carrozzeria Scaglietti personalisation programme, presently adopted by 90% of Ferrari's clientele.

In the case of the 456M GT displayed on the Ferrari stand, and expressly designed for Michael Schumacher, the dominant characteristic is the two-tone paint finish. This elegant 'tone on tone' personalised colour mix was obtained through a specific study – personally commissioned by Schumacher - on the chromatic tones of grey, then also applied to other exterior details as the wheel rims and the radiator grille.

The personalised options are also extended to the car's interior with the new graphics for the dials, while the cross-drilled brakes contribute to adding a more sporty note to the two-tone 456M GT 'Scaglietti'. The tailoring process has also been applied to many leather interior details, such as the steering wheel, the door trims and the rear parcel shelf. The seats are characterised by micro-perforated leather to the central part, whilst the crimson stitching contributes to the even more personalised style of the interior. The final personalisation 'touches' are a special version of the hi-fi stereo system and the radio-satellite navigation system.

by Ferrari

The 456M (M for modified) GT represents the evolution of a Ferrari for those wanting four seats and diverse sporting ability. Though a Ferrari is a two-seater by birth, 2+2 versions have long represented an important tradition for the marque. 1948's Turin Show saw the Touring four-seat version of the 'Barchetta' that won the 1949 Le Mans 24-hours, demonstrating the direct relationship between practical road car and state of the art sports racer. The 456M likewise represents the optimum balance of 12-cylinder performance with the comfort of a 2+2 GT Ferrari.

In 1966 '2+2' first appeared on a Ferrari: Pininfarina's 250GT. Since then, Pininfarina has risen to the challenge of designing every Ferrari 2+2. The quality of Pininfarina's original 456 styling was so fine that redesign would have been premature. Evolution was chosen to improve and refine mechanicals and aerodynamics while keeping the successful interpretation of a 2+2 with V12 coupled to a rear transaxle. The 456M enjoys aerodynamic and thermal improvements, more functional cockpit, improved space efficiency, and finer performance, ergonomics and safety.

Design

The 456M embodies concepts that express the satisfaction of owning a Ferrari GT 2+2: excellent performance and driving pleasure, without sacrificing passenger comfort. The styling of the 456M considers this philosophy, matching the aggressive shape to supple lines. Special care was taken to enhance interior volume and ergonomics. The result is a

complete synthesis of beauty, controlled aggression, and functionality. The 456M is the bench-mark for high-performance 2+2s.

Instantly recognizable as a Ferrari, the 456M has a less extreme shape than other cars in the current Ferrari range, yet it remains highly innovative and special. The 456M has a long, smooth carbon fibre bonnet, emphasized by the retractable headlights and two tension lines. Seen from above, the front aspect is more rounded than the previous 456, thanks to the redesigned bumper and integrated spoiler. The front turn-signals have been repositioned for improved visibility and the air intake with integral fog lights has a modified shape and size for improved engine and brake cooling. On the sides a new moulding for the windows runs along the door edge. At the rear is a revised bumper with stabilizer wing.

Structure

The 456M takes traditional Ferrari construction to the next level with modern materials, a first for the high-performance 2+2 genre. The 456M has an extremely rigid tubular steel chassis welded to a light aluminum body for structural integrity and rigidity. Because aluminum and steel cannot be welded directly together, a steel foil chemically treated with Feran is placed between the metals, allowing proper welds to be achieved. Light aluminum and sturdy steel are thus joined to provide a perfect platform for this super 2+2.

To further reduce weight while maintaining torsional rigidity, the 456M has a carbon fibre front hood. The side windows are flush with the door frames and feature an automatic device that perfectly controls window travel to achieve optimum sealing. The 456M is designed to feel both light and 'of a single piece', a remarkable achievement for a four-seat GT.

Drivetrain

The 456M engine is designed to get high power and torque at low and medium rotational speeds, from a smaller, lighter package. The V12, 65° engine, with its 436bhp required no major modifications, but Ferrari engineers still improved its function for the purpose. The ignition order has been changed for smoother operation enhancing overall comfort. The new firing order is 1-7-5-11-3-9-6-12-2-8-4-10. The crankcase, heads and oil sump are in light alloy, with added aluminum liners.

Valve timing is controlled by four overhead camshafts. There are two intake and two exhaust valves per cylinder, arranged at a very sharp angle. The intake runners have a rectilinear form and the combustion chambers have a low surface:volume ratio for greater efficiency. The lubrication system has two scavenger pumps and one delivery pump, double filtration and a radiator. A duct sprays oil directly on the underside of each piston for improved cooling.

A Bosch Motronic M5.2 system controls ignition and fuel delivery. Injection is multi-point, timed, and sequential, with bi-angular spray pattern and special throttle control. The fuel supply system includes two submersed pumps with compact filters. Ignition is static, with two six-outlet coils. The system includes a static stroke sensor and a toothed wheel on the engine flywheel.

The 456M GT manual transaxle is at the rear. The hydraulic clutch acts directly on the engine flywheel. Drive is transmitted to the gearbox through a three-bearing driveshaft housed in a steel pipe rigidly connecting engine and gearbox. The six-speed-plus-reverse box has double-cone synchronizers with a low-friction direct sixth gear. The transmission is pressure lubricated with a pump and oil radiator. The gearbox control features the Ferrari standard aluminum gearshifter and polished aluminum gate. The differential is a ZF, fin-type, with limited slip and differentiated calibration.

Suspension

Like all Ferrari's, the 456M takes advantage of modern four wheel-independent suspension technology for optimal comfort and road-holding. The advanced geometry features cross quads and triangle arms, aluminum gas-operated shock absorbers with helical coaxial springs, and anti-roll bars front and rear. Shock absorber calibration control is electronic, and combines with a self-leveling rear suspension to maintain constant ground clearance under various loads.

The key improvements to driving precision, comfort, and especially more efficient damping on uneven roads in the 456M over previous models, come from new anti-dive front-suspension geometry, shock absorbers with special low-speed control, and front shock absorbers with a reduced coefficient of friction.

The suspension is electronically controlled by the driver through the use of a 'Normal' and 'Sport' switch which interacts with ASR. Depending on steering angle, speed, longitudinal and vertical acceleration, throttle opening, and brake circuit pressure, the system can control rolling during acceleration and braking transitions. An ECU manages the calibration variation of each shock absorber via four motors.

The 456M braking system has been designed to offer deceleration commensurate with the car's other performance capabilities. The addition of a pneumatic brake booster has improved the 456M's system, especially at high speeds. The ultra-lightweight system includes four ventilated discs with aluminum calipers and 4-channel ABS, integrated with ASR and EBD (rear electronic braking corrector).

To improve performance and control even in extreme situations, the 456M has an ASR system fitted for dynamic stability control. The system optimizes the traction of the drive wheels, detecting possible skidding, through the combined action of the ABS and the engine control system. The driver can choose three levels of ASR through a dashboard switch - Normal, Sport (integrated with suspension control) and Off - ensuring almost complete control of the car's lateral and longitudinal dynamic and offering excellent safety.

The 456M's rack and pinion steering, is equipped with a Servotronic, condition-aware, speed-sensitive power-steering device and retuned software, for more precise driving. The same steering force is required whether in a parking lot, on the highway, or on the track.

Interior

The 456M has a redesigned interior offering greater space efficiency. With attention to the sometimes antagonistic twins - functionality and performance, and comfort and elegance - the interior space was redefined and rationalized.

A primary problem in 4-seat coupes is access to the rear seats. The automatic forward travel of the 456M's self-repositioning front seats has been increased, providing rear-seat passengers with all necessary space. The front seats are partly constructed from a special new foam rubber and have nine-way electronic adjustments with position memory. The capacity and comfort of the rear seats have been improved through a clever redesign.

Improving usability, the instrument panel has been fully redesigned to better define each display. The classically styled instruments reside behind the steering-wheel, and offer the most important information: engine speed, road speed, and distance traveled. Smaller analog displays for water temperature and oil pressure flank the central multi-function display for operational and emergency information. Ancillary instruments are fully visible above the console.

Central to the driver are the new, lighter three-spoke steering wheel and the gearbox lever, which is now more ergonomic with a larger operating clearance between it and the gate. Document pockets behind the front seats, the new transmission tunnel, and the new rear parcel shelf offer greater interior storage, and special care has been paid to inner sound-deadening for comfort. The climate control system has an integrated sun radiation sensor and new software for temperature control.

by Ferrari

The 456 2+2 GT was debuted at the Paris Motorshow in 1992. The engine was mounted in the front and driving the rear-wheels. It was a 65-degree V-12 with four camshafts and capable of producing 436 bhp. The aluminum body panels were welded onto the tubular steel frame. By mounting the six-speed manual gearbox in the rear transaxle, a fifty-fifty weight distribution was achieved. A small wing located in the rear bumper would slide out at speeds of 75 mph or greater. The purpose of the flap was to maintain stability.

In 1996 the production version of 456 GTA was introduced . This version had a four-speed automatic gearbox. In 1998, the 456M arrived on the scene in both the GT and GTA flavors. The 456M was an aesthetically updated version both interior and exterior.

by Dan Vaughan