Performance Review: Ferrari 456 GT 5.5 V12 - [1992]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ferrari 456 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ferrari 456 GT 5.5 V12 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1992. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1993 Jaguar XJ 220 S 3.5 V6 Turbo and the 1992 Bugatti EB110 SuperSport.This particular Ferrari 456 has a 5474cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 12 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V12's includes the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12

The 456 shares its Petrol V12 engine configuration with the likes of the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12 and the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 456's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1690 kgs (3725 lbs) this makes the Ferrari 456 GT 5.5 V12 in the same weight category as the 2023 Aston-Martin Valour 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Ferrari 456 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Chevrolet Camaro SS 6.2 V8 Auto (455 bhp)

In terms of power the 5474cc 48V V12 engine produces 436 bhp (325 kW) @ 6250 rpm similar to the 2022 Chevrolet Camaro SS 6.2 V8 Auto (455 bhp) or the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 (454 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V12 throws out 406 lb-ft (550.4 Nm) @ 4500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (418 lb-ft) or the 2022 KTM X-Bow GT-XR 2.5 Turbo (429 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ferrari 456 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2015 Lotus Evora 400 3.5 V6 Supercharged (282.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ferrari 456.

The Ferrari 456 has a Power to weight ratio of 257.9 bhp per ton and 240.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1992 456 competing with the 2015 Lotus Evora 400 3.5 V6 Supercharged (282.6 bhp per ton) or the 1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello (282.6 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Ferrari 456 generating around 240.2 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2019 BMW 8 Series M8 Cabriolet 4.4 V8 Turbo F91 (265.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 2014 BMW 5 Series M5 30 Jahre (265.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.3 secs, this made the Ferrari 456 GT 5.5 V12 as fast as the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Ti 2.0 Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Q4 2.0L Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 5.7 V8 370 (5.10 secs) the or the 2017 Audi A6 3.0T Competition (5.10 secs). This Ferrari 456 GT 5.5 V12 is also faster than the 2021 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 16V Limited Edition (5.20 secs) the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (5.20 secs) the 2018 BMW X7 xDrive 50i 4.4 V8 Turbo (5.20 secs) the and the 2018 Tesla Model 3 Mid Range (5.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 456 and the 1993 Mercedes E Class 60 AMG 6.0 V8 W124

When talking about the performance of the Ferrari 456 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.81 secs @ 106.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1993 Mercedes E Class 60 AMG 6.0 V8 W124 (12.80 secs), the 2019 Toyota Supra GR RZ 3.0 Turbo (12.81 secs), and the 2017 BMW X6 xDrive50i 4.4 V8 F16 (12.81 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1992 version of the Ferrari 456 GT 5.5 V12 has a maximum speed of 186mph.

Top Speed of the 1992 456 equals the 2013 Nissan Skyline GT-R Pure Edition R35 (197 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1992 Ferrari 456 GT 5.5 V12 then how about the 2013 Nissan Skyline GT-R Pure Edition R35 (197 mph), the 2012 Nissan Skyline GTR R35 (197 mph), or the 2012 Audi R8 Plus S-Tronic 5.2 V10 (197 mph).

Related Links:

1992 456 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ferrari

Car Comparison