The Pininfarina designed Ferrari 456M GT, launched at the 1998 Geneva Motor Show, is an evolution of a particularly well received model to clients who in a real Ferrari appreciate roominess combined with flexibility of use: the 456 in its GT and GTA versions.
A further step in the company’s tradition of 2+2 cars, the Ferrari 456M GT provides a high-performance 5,474 cu. in. V12 engine but at the same time guarantees the comfort and roominess typical of a GT car. The most rational way to roominess and maximum-performance in terms of safety and easy driving conditions is a layout with a front engine and a rear gearbox.
The aerodynamics being a top priority, the front part was designed in a clear-cut way and a spoiler was integrated in the rear bumper. The particular shape of the front spoiler and bonnet and the development of the rear extractor guarantee an improvement in the Ferrari 456M GT forecarriage lift and penetrative capacity rate.
Bodywork
The car is built around a tubular steel chassis on which the aluminium bodywork is weld by a particular procedure. The two parts are united with the interposition of a special material named Feran. This process makes aluminium’s lightness come together with steel’s rigidity. To make the car lighter, the front bonnet is in carbon fibre.
Interior
Four-seater cockpit upholstered in Connolly leather. Electrically assisted seats with position memories. Analogue instrumentation with check-panel. Air-conditioning with solar climate sensor. Hi-Fi system.
Chassis
The stress-bearing chassis, in tubular alloy steel, is connected to the independent suspensions with anti-roll bars and anti-dive geometry unequal-length, non-parallel wishbones. The gas dampers are electronically controlled and adjust into two positions. Servotronic rack-and-pinion steering. Self-ventilated disc brakes with pneumatic servobrake, ABS system and electronic rear braking corrector. The car is equipped with a modern ASR drive control system connected to the antiskid circuit: a substantial enhancement of safety even with the most difficult conditions.
Power train
65 degrees V12, 334.0 cu. in., 436 HP front engine. Four valves per cylinder and twin overhead cams. Bosch M 5.2 engine management system. Single-plate dry clutch and dry sump lubrication system. The car comes in two versions: GT with mechanical 6-speed plus reverse gearbox and GTA with automatic 4-speed plus reserve gearbox.
