Ferrari 456 which version to buy
Every version is named 5.5 MT or 5.5 AT. Same names appear in both generations, so they must be kept exact and split by generation.
Every version is named 5.5 MT or 5.5 AT. Same names appear in both generations, so they must be kept exact and split by generation.
| Generation | Years | Body | Version | hp | Nm | cm³ | Fuel | Cylinders | Layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 generation | 1998–2003 | Coupe | 5.5 MT | 442 | 550 | 5474 | 95 | 12 | V-shaped | No | Manual 6 | RWD |
| 2 generation | 1998–2003 | Coupe | 5.5 AT | 442 | 550 | 5474 | 98 | 12 | V-shaped | No | Automatic 4 | RWD |
| 1 generation | 1992–1997 | Coupe | 5.5 MT | 442 | 550 | 5474 | 98 | 12 | V-shaped | No | Manual 6 | RWD |
| 1 generation | 1992–1997 | Coupe | 5.5 AT | 442 | 550 | 5474 | 98 | 12 | V-shaped | No | Automatic 4 | RWD |
Power per litre is the same on all four: 442 hp ÷ 5.474 L = 80.7 hp/L. Compression is 10.6 and bore × stroke is 88 × 75 on all four. Multi-point distributed injection and 4 valves per cylinder are also shared. Engine layout is measured only on 2 generation 5.5 MT: Front, longitudinal. On 2 generation 5.5 AT, 1 generation 5.5 MT, and 1 generation 5.5 AT engine position is not measured.
Ferrari 456 weight and kg per horsepower
Kerb weight is the largest measured gap.
- 2 generation 5.5 MT: 1690 kg kerb, 2200 kg gross → 3.82 kg/hp (1690 ÷ 442)
- 1 generation 5.5 AT: 1770 kg kerb, 2250 kg gross → 4.00 kg/hp
- 1 generation 5.5 MT: 1790 kg kerb, 2200 kg gross → 4.05 kg/hp
- 2 generation 5.5 AT: 1890 kg kerb, 2250 kg gross → 4.28 kg/hp
2 generation 5.5 MT is 200 kg lighter than 2 generation 5.5 AT (1890 − 1690) and 100 kg lighter than 1 generation 5.5 MT (1790 − 1690). 1 generation 5.5 AT is 20 kg lighter than 1 generation 5.5 MT (1790 − 1770) and 120 kg lighter than 2 generation 5.5 AT (1890 − 1770).
Gross mass: both 5.5 MT versions sit at 2200 kg; both 5.5 AT versions sit at 2250 kg — +50 kg on the automatic side in each generation.
Weight distribution is not measured on any version.
Ferrari 456 GT specs vs GTA: gearbox is the real split
5.5 MT is Manual, 6 gears, RWD in both generations. 5.5 AT is Automatic, 4 gears, RWD in both generations. Horsepower does not change with the gearbox. What changes is mass and, in 1 generation, the stopwatch.
1 generation 5.5 MT: 0–100 km/h in 5.2 s, top speed 302 km/h. 1 generation 5.5 AT, 2 generation 5.5 MT, and 2 generation 5.5 AT: 0–100 km/h in 5.5 s, top speed 298 km/h.
The only version that is both quicker and faster is 1 generation 5.5 MT. Versus the other three it is 0.3 s quicker to 100 km/h and 4 km/h higher on top speed. 2 generation 5.5 MT has the lowest kerb weight (1690 kg) but the same 5.5 s / 298 km/h as both automatics.
Fuel grade is not identical. 2 generation 5.5 MT is specified for 95. The other three versions are specified for 98.
Ferrari 456 mpg, consumption, tank
Tank volume is 110 L on all four versions.
Consumption is measured on one version only: 1 generation 5.5 MT — city 29.8, highway 11.6, mixed 18. On 2 generation 5.5 MT, 2 generation 5.5 AT, and 1 generation 5.5 AT, city, highway, and mixed consumption are not measured. CO2 is not measured on all four.
Eco class is measured only on 1 generation 5.5 AT: Euro 2. On 2 generation 5.5 MT, 2 generation 5.5 AT, and 1 generation 5.5 MT, eco class is not measured.
Ferrari 456 dimensions: clearance, wheels, brakes
Ground clearance is 130 mm on 2 generation 5.5 AT, 1 generation 5.5 MT, and 1 generation 5.5 AT. On 2 generation 5.5 MT ground clearance is not measured.
Wheels:
- 2 generation 5.5 MT: 225/45 R17 and 285/40 R17
- 2 generation 5.5 AT: 225/45 R18 and 285/40 R17
- 1 generation 5.5 MT: 255/45 R17 and 285/40 R17
- 1 generation 5.5 AT: 225/45 R18 and 285/40 R17
Rear tyre is 285/40 R17 on every version. Front tyre is the variable: 255/45 R17 only on 1 generation 5.5 MT; 225/45 R17 only on 2 generation 5.5 MT; 225/45 R18 on both 5.5 AT versions.
Suspension is Independent, spring front and rear on all four.
Brakes: front is Ventilated disc on all four. Rear is Ventilated disc (label Disc ventilated as in the data) on 2 generation 5.5 AT, 1 generation 5.5 MT, and 1 generation 5.5 AT. 2 generation 5.5 MT is the outlier: rear Disc (not ventilated in the catalogue).
2 generation vs 1 generation: what changed
Body stays Coupe. Engine output stays 442 hp / 550 Nm / 5474 cm³. Drive stays RWD. Tank stays 110 L.
What the second generation (1998–2003) actually changes in the numbers:
1. 5.5 MT kerb weight drops from 1790 kg to 1690 kg (−100 kg), kg/hp from 4.05 to 3.82. 0–100 km/h goes from 5.2 s to 5.5 s; top speed from 302 to 298 km/h. Fuel goes from 98 to 95. Front tyre from 255/45 R17 to 225/45 R17. Rear brakes lose ventilation in the catalogue. Clearance and consumption, measured in 1 generation 5.5 MT, become not measured. 2. 5.5 AT kerb weight rises from 1770 kg to 1890 kg (+120 kg), kg/hp from 4.00 to 4.28. 0–100 km/h stays 5.5 s; top speed stays 298 km/h. Fuel stays 98. Wheels stay 225/45 R18 and 285/40 R17. Clearance stays 130 mm. Euro 2, present on 1 generation 5.5 AT, is not measured on 2 generation 5.5 AT.
Inside 2 generation, the automatic is 200 kg heavier than the manual and uses 98 instead of 95, with a 4-speed Automatic instead of a 6-speed Manual. Performance figures are identical (5.5 s, 298 km/h). Inside 1 generation, the automatic is 20 kg lighter than the manual, slower by 0.3 s and 4 km/h, and is the only version with a measured eco class (Euro 2).
Which Ferrari 456 version to choose
If the numbers that matter are acceleration and top speed: 1 generation 5.5 MT is the only version at 5.2 s and 302 km/h. It is also the only version with measured consumption (29.8 / 11.6 / 18) and the only one on 255/45 R17 front tyres. Trade-off: 1790 kg kerb, 4.05 kg/hp, 98 fuel, 6-speed Manual.
If the number that matters is kerb weight: 2 generation 5.5 MT at 1690 kg and 3.82 kg/hp is the lightest by 80 kg versus the next lightest (1 generation 5.5 AT at 1770 kg) and by 200 kg versus 2 generation 5.5 AT. Same 442 hp, 6-speed Manual, RWD. Trade-off: 5.5 s / 298 km/h (not the fastest), 95 fuel, rear disc not listed as ventilated, clearance and consumption not measured.
If the gearbox must be Automatic: both 5.5 AT versions are 4-speed Automatic, 442 hp, 5.5 s, 298 km/h, 98 fuel, 225/45 R18 + 285/40 R17, 130 mm clearance, 2250 kg gross. Choose 1 generation 5.5 AT if you want the lower kerb (1770 vs 1890 kg, −120 kg) and the only Euro 2 listing. Choose 2 generation 5.5 AT only if you specifically want the later generation; it is the heaviest car in the table (1890 kg, 4.28 kg/hp) with consumption not measured.
If you want measured economy and a measured eco class in one car: that combination does not exist. Consumption is measured only on 1 generation 5.5 MT; eco class only on 1 generation 5.5 AT.
Price, production numbers, investment value, and “for sale” listings are not measured in this dataset and are not used here. The arithmetic that is measured: same 80.7 hp/L everywhere; 3.82–4.28 kg/hp depending on version; 100 kg saved on 2 generation 5.5 MT versus 1 generation 5.5 MT; 200 kg extra on 2 generation 5.5 AT versus 2 generation 5.5 MT; 0.3 s and 4 km/h only on 1 generation 5.5 MT.