To the Paris Salon of the 1992, Ferrari introduced a new 2 + 2 coupe called 456 GT. The name, derived from the unit displacement of the engine 12 cylinders in a V of 65 °alongside a car with smooth lines designed by Pininfarina. An elegant, round car that ‘detaches’ the Maranello brand from the very square cars of the previous decade. The interior upholstery was also remarkable, with comfort as the only goal apart from the obvious performance of a 442 horsepower engine, capable of reaching and exceeding 300 kilometers per hour. From 1996 the GTA version was added to this car, with 4-speed automatic gearbox + reverse.
The then president of Ferrari, Luca Cordero di MontezemoloShe said: “This is our 2000 car. We wanted to give our customers something unique, the maximum of sportiness in terms of power and comfort and roominess never seen before. The reception by customers has been excellent and therefore there will be expectations for this 456 too, because Ferrari production is what it is, and our philosophy is to always build ten cars fewer than those requested. Ferrari’s great heritage is to maintain ties with the past while looking to the future and this is the synthesis of the 456 GT. The car market is experiencing an international crisis, which can especially affect cars such as Ferrari and the great sports cars. But it is precisely in the crisis that we need to push the accelerator. We continue to invest heavily in development“.
In Paris a 456 GT in red was placed on the body builder’s stand, and a blue one in the Ferrari one. In short, a double presence to make it clear that it was not yet time to declare Ferrari in crisis. And in fact the car was a good success that also consolidated Montezemolo’s leadershipuntil the end of production in 1998.
In 1992 that longitudinal 12-cylinder front engine of almost 5 and a half liters it represented the highest displacement ever to appear on a production Ferrari. With a weight of 1690 kilos, and its excellent handling, the car would probably have made a good impression even in the racing configuration, but the honor of GT racing was officially taken on by the subsequent 550 Maranello.
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