Guide: Ferrari 456M
Background
In many respects, the 456 GT had proven the catalyst for a new Ferrari era upon its launch in late 1992.
A long overdue successor to the front-engined four-seat 365 GT4, 400 and 412 line that had first appeared back in 1972, the 456 garnered massive critical acclaim for its elegant styling, faultless driving dynamics and superlative build quality.
Those new Ferrari models that followed were generally applauded in much the same fashion; by the mid-to-late ‘90s Ferrari’s line-up had changed dramatically and was technically much-improved. The unloved 348 had been replaced by the gorgeous F355 while the unfavoured Mondial had been dropped and not replaced. The dated mid Flat 12-engined platform that had most recently spawned the ugly F512 M was superseded by a 456 GT-based two-seat Grand Tourer: the magnificent 550 Maranello.
Ferrari had also offered the limited production F50 between 1995 and ‘97.
By early 1998, the time had come to launch an updated version of the 456 itself.
The resultant 456M (for Modificato) was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1998. Like its predecessor, this latest iteration would be offered with a choice of two gearboxes: a traditional six-speed manual (the 456M GT) or a popular four-speed automatic (the 456M GTA).
Although at first glance the 456M appeared little changed, Ferrari carried out an array of cosmetic and mechanical updates. The result was an improved machine that stayed in production for another six years, after which an all-new successor was released.
Bodywork
The most obvious changes made to the 456M were to its bodywork.
A more pointed front bumper assembly featured a larger intake aperture inset with a spot light at each corner. The brake ducts fitted low down on the original car’s apron were deleted and the combined sidelight / indicator lenses reduced in size.
The hood was subtly re-profiled to give the front fenders extra definition. New pop-up headlights were fitted to match. The 456M was the last Ferrari to come equipped as such with all subsequent models having featured clear glass-covered units.
In addition to its re-contoured lines, the hood no longer featured hot air vents carved out from behind each headlight.
The more arrow-like front-end improved aerodynamics and added 33mm to the car’s overall length.
At the back of the 456M was a new rear bumper assembly with re-shaped licence plate housing and a redesigned apron with a fixed and fully integrated spoiler instead of the electronically-activated version previously housed in the apron’s cut away section. This worked in conjunction with a new underbody panel manufactured from fibreglass and polyurethane composite.
Elsewhere, the front wheel housings were now glass-reinforced polyester, the rear wheel housings and gravel guards were aluminium and the front gravel guards were polyethylene polypropylene composite.
Other bodywork changes included rectangular instead of circular indicator lenses behind each front wheel and ‘disegno Pininfarina’ badges ahead of each rear wheel instead of a ‘Pininfarina’ script and emblem.
As had been the case since 1996, bodywork was produced by Scaglietti as opposed to Pininfarina.
Body panels were a mix of carbonfibre composite (hood), plastic composite (bumpers), steel (doors, roof panel, rear plane and pillars) and aluminium (pretty much everything else).
Interior
Inside, Pininfarina gave the 456M a complete makeover with a new dash, instrument binnacle, centre console, seats and door panels.
Having switched to a four-spoke airbag steering wheel in 1996, the 456M re-introduced a new three-spoke design with perforated leather rim. Directly behind was a more gently curved instrument binnacle with four analogue gauges instead of two. Read outs for water temperature and oil pressure were added along with new warning lights.
Whereas the original 456 had featured five gauges on the centre console, this was reduced to just three on the 456M (oil temperature, fuel and a clock).
The upper section of the dash came with contoured circular fresh air vents instead of rectangular units. The knee roll was re-shaped with added curvature to give a more substantial feel.
The central control panel was also reconfigured and fitted with new switchgear and a new audio system. An updated air-conditioning unit now featured a dash-mounted solar sensor.
Pininfarina styled new front and rear seats (the latter with a folding instead of fixed armrest). The door panels and sidewalls were updated as well.
A revised rear parcel shelf now featured an integrated high level brake light.
Chassis
Although re-designated Tipo F116M, the 456M’s tubular steel spaceframe chassis was effectively unchanged. However, some updates were made to the ancillary equipment.
To reduce dive under heavy braking, the front suspension geometry came equipped with modified control arms. The layout itself was unchanged: independent double wishbones with co-axial coil springs over gas-filled telescopic dampers and anti-roll bars at either end. Driver-operated electronically-controlled dampers offered a choice of Normal and Sport settings. There was also a self-levelling rear axle.
As before, ventilated disc brakes were fitted all round. However, the 456M came with larger 330mm diameter discs up front (as per the 550 Maranello) while 310mm diameter items were retained at the back.
An uprated ABS system featured a previously unseen ASR traction control system and electronic rear brake corrector.
Servotronic power steering that electronically adjusted the level of assistance according to road speed and conditions was imported from the old 456.
The 456M’s 17-inch diameter wheels (8.5-inches wide at the front, 10-inches wide at the rear) were the same as before although now fitted with chrome centre caps (instead of black with a yellow background). Pirelli tyres were once again fitted.
A 110-litre fuel tank was located under the boot floor.
Engine / Gearbox
In the engine bay was a Tipo F116C version of the original 5.5-litre 65° V12 which featured a new firing order for the cylinders (made in the interests of improved smoothness). There was also a revised Ferrari 456M cam cover script.
Otherwise, the engine was the same as before.
Unlike the Colombo and Lampredi V12s that had powered most of Ferrari’s models until 1989, the brand new engine in the original 456 had used a 65° instead of 60° vee angle.
The block, heads, sump, crank and sundry castings were constructed entirely from light weight alloys. The alloy cylinder liners were treated with Nikasil. Dual overhead camshafts were employed along with four valves per cylinder and dry-sump lubrication.
Displacement was 5474cc thanks to a bore and stroke of 88mm and 75mm respectively.
A 10.6:1 compression ratio was retained along with the Bosch Motronic M5.2 engine management that had been used since 1996.
Peak output was 442bhp at 6250rpm and 406lb-ft at 4500rpm.
Customers could specify a six-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic gearbox (the latter a collaboration with Ricardo that used General Motors internals).
Gearboxes were mounted in unit with the differential and final drive assembly to form a transaxle arrangement.
Transmission was through a single-plate clutch and ZF limited-slip differential.
Options
As per its predecessor, the 456M options list was initially fairly limited (out of range leather and body colours, fitted luggage and seat piping). However, the number of options on offer would be increased towards the end of the model’s life.
Weight / Performance
Weight and performance figures were officially unchanged.
Ferrari quoted the 456M at 1690kg with a top speed of 186mph (185mph for the GTA) and 0-62mph time of 5.2 seconds (5.4 seconds for the GTA).
Production Changes
For the 2001 model year, the 456M benefited from an extended range of options thanks to Ferrari’s new Scaglietti personalisation programme. In addition to the original extras, buyers could now specify Daytona-style seat inserts, Scuderia Ferrari wing shields, painted brake calipers (red, gold or grey), leather-covered lower door sections (instead of carpeted) and a silver dedication plate.
At the Paris Motor Show in October 2002, Ferrari introduced a two-tone paint option that saw the roof along with the A and C pillars finished in a contrasting shade to the rest of the body.
End of Production
456M production ended in 2004, by which time 1338 examples had been completed.
This figure comprised 688 cars with the manual gearbox (31 of which were right-hand drive) and 650 with the automatic gearbox (136 of which were right-hand drive).
The 456M was replaced by the somewhat controversial-looking 612 Scaglietti.
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Ferrari - https://www.ferrari.com
