Facelifting
for the Ferrari 456 GT
Geneva, March 2nd 1998
The only four-seater in Ferrari's
current sales programme, the 456 GT, has been
facelifted. It is now called "456 M"
("M" = "Modificato"
("modified")) and was presented to the
public for the first time during the recent
Geneva Motor Show. The mighty 5.5 litres
V12-engine remains unchanged, as does the
optional automatic transmission.
This was the first modifaction on
the 456 GT after its debut in 1992, and it is
actually a very decent one which is not
surprising since the 456 GT's styling is simply
sensational. The major optical modification was
done on the Ferrari's grille, which has become a
little larger. Furthermore, it does now feature
integrated fog-lights and slightly changed
spoilers, lips and bumpers. It is somewhat
surprising that the pop-up lights, which are a
little old-fashioned, remained with the car while
all other models feature perspex-covered driving
lights (except the F355, but for its successor
which will be presented next year it is more than
likely to have plexiglass-covered lights, too).
While the styling remained basically
unchanged, the interieur has been re-designed.
Dash and instruments are new, as is the
air-condition which is claimed to have become
more effective. The 456 M now comes with a
three-spoke steering wheel, and the position of
the gear-lever on the central console has become
more comfortable for the driver. The front seats
are now equipped with memory functions.
The car's suspension and the ABS
have been optimized as well, as have the shock
absorbers: they are now adjustable, allowing the
driver to choose between a "normal" and
a "sportive" pogramme.
It is not yet known when the first
456 Ms will arrive at the dealers.
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