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Can
there be any road vehicle quite as magical
as a Ferrari? The name is synonymous with
speed and sleek automotive shapes, with
exclusivity and legendary race
victories.
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To anyone who has
a pinch of gasoline running through their veins, a
chance to drive a Ferrari is a chance to fulfill a
fantasy.
The 456M GT is
something of a Ferrari for the person with a
family. It has four seats instead of the
traditional two, and comes equipped with the same
conveniences -- air, power steering, power brakes,
power windows, power door locks, power seats -- as
a Lincoln. Standard is a five-speed manual
transmission, but a four-speed automatic is
optional.
The 456M GT has a
436-horsepower 5.5-liter V-12 engine that can
propel the 3,800-pound coupe to 186 mph, according
to the factory. On the streets of Coral Gables I
didn't achieve half that, honest,
officer.
The engine is
mounted in front, like Ferraris were when the late
Enzo Ferrari built his first sports car 50 years
ago. Other modern Ferraris, like the 355 and the
F-50, mount their engines behind the driver, where
engineering data says it provides the best weight
distribution.
The M in the
model designation stands for "Modificata," with
designates this Ferrari as an update on the
original car, which debuted in 1993. The
modifications that come with the M designation are
many, including a lighter, carbon fiber hood and
changes to the engine electronic management system
that makes the V-12 run smoother at low
speeds.
 Get
into the 456M GT and the first thing you notice is
the beating of your heart. If it's not racing, get
out and go to the Suzuki dealer down the street; a
Ferrari is not for you.
Pop it into gear
and the Ferrari moves away smoothly. Keep a light
pressure on the pedal, and it's as easy as driving
a Honda. Stab the gas pedal and it's a little like
the Millennium Falcon going to light
speed.
The 456M GT has
an electronically controlled suspension that can be
put in normal or sport modes, with as many as 17
different shock settings for the computer to choose
from. I've driven cars with similar systems, but
the Ferrari is the only car where changing from
normal to sport made me aware of nearly every
pebble in the road, the type of instant
communication a driver wants in a performance
car.
This car has a
list price of about $225,000. The cheapest Ferrari,
the V-8 355, lists for about $128,000. The 550
Maranello costs $204,000, and limited edition
Ferraris, like the race-bred F50, can cost upward
of $350,000.
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