It is rated at 325 kW; 436 hp (442 PS), with 4 valves per cylinder and Bosch Motronic M2.7 engine management.

Ferrari claims it could push the 1,690 kg (3,726 lb) car to a top speed of 309 km/h (192 mph), making it, at the time, the world's second fastest production four-seater automobile behind the Porsche 959.

[citation needed] A further developed version of this engine was used in the front-engine 550 Maranello grand tourer introduced in 1996, which became the most powerful naturally aspirated Ferrari production car aside from the 456.

The chassis is a tubular steel space-frame construction with a one-piece composite bonnet and body panels made from aluminium.

Many changes were made to improve aerodynamics and cooling and the interior – still featuring Connolly Leather – was refreshed with new seats and other conveniences (three gauges on the dash instead of five, a new Becker stereo fitted in front of the shifter rather than behind as in the very shallow and special Sony head unit in the 456 GT and a revised real parcel shelf now featuring an integrated high level brake light).

The intake ducts present on the bonnet on the original 456 were removed for a cleaner appearance and the size of the combined side markers/indicator lights was reduced.

The brake ducts present on the apron of the original 456 were removed in favour of a larger intake located at the front of the car.

The show car present at the stand was commissioned by then Ferrari F1 racing driver Michael Schumacher.

The car also featured a custom grey leather interior with red stitching featuring a plaque containing Schumacher's signature and Formula 1 racing championship years, power adjustable seats with position memory settings, dual zone climate control, reworked gauges with a 354 km/h (220 mph) speedometer, an uprated handling pack, and cross-drilled Brembo brakes.