The Chrysler ME Four-Twelve was a mid-engined supercar concept shown at the 2004 North American International Auto Show. Its name spells out the layout — mid-engine, four turbochargers, twelve cylinders — and with 850 hp from a quad-turbo Mercedes-based V12 it was claimed to be the fastest road-going production car of its time, though it never reached production.
Chrysler ME Four-Twelve at a glance
| Type | high-performance concept car |
|---|---|
| Shown | 2004 North American International Auto Show |
| Cars built | two |
| Layout | mid-engine, rear-wheel drive |
| Engine | 6.0 L Mercedes-Benz M120 V12, four turbochargers |
| Power | 850 hp (634 kW) |
| Transmission | seven-speed dual-clutch, 200 ms shifts |
| 0–60 mph | 2.9 seconds |
| 0–100 mph | 6.2 seconds |
| Quarter mile | 10.6 seconds at 136 mph |
| Top speed (claimed) | 248 mph (399 km/h) |
| Chassis | carbon-fibre and aluminium honeycomb tub |
History of the Chrysler ME Four-Twelve
A secret project
Two ME Four-Twelve vehicles were produced. The first was an auto show car using performance expertise from DaimlerChrysler but with limited operational capabilities, designed behind the scenes during 2003 by a small team in less than a year; its exterior was designed by the American Brian Nielander, who had also worked on the Firepower. It was unveiled at the 2004 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
Making it real
At the same show Chrysler announced that the ME Four-Twelve was a full running prototype, and key people in the company’s Street & Racing Technology group, directed by Dan Knott and also responsible for the Dodge Viper and the SRT production cars, were asked to build a fully engineered and functional demonstration vehicle capable of achieving the published performance claims and available for media track testing by the summer of 2004.
Engineering
The chassis tub was carbon-fibre and aluminium honeycomb with a 4130 steel rear subframe and aluminium castings, and the body was lightweight carbon fibre. The low profile helped aerodynamics while multiple air intakes aided cooling. Tyres were 265/35ZR19 at the front and 335/30ZR20 at the rear on 19- and 20-inch cast aluminium wheels, and the brakes used six-piston calipers with 16-inch discs at both ends. The engine was a modified 6.0-litre aluminium Mercedes-Benz M120 V12 with a new cylinder head, special intake and exhaust manifolds and forged pistons and crankshaft to take four turbochargers, producing 850 hp. The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission could change gear in 200 milliseconds. Chrysler claimed 0–60 mph in 2.9 seconds, 0–100 mph in 6.2 seconds, a quarter mile in 10.6 seconds at 136 mph and a top speed of 248 mph. The interior had leather seats, a carbon-fibre dashboard, a chrome-covered centre console, gunmetal gauges, dual-zone climate control, a premium audio system, keyless access and push-button starting under a glass roof.
Design and features
- Quad-turbo V12: a modified Mercedes-Benz M120 producing 850 hp.
- Carbon-fibre construction: a honeycomb tub with a steel rear subframe and carbon body.
- Dual-clutch gearbox: seven speeds with 200-millisecond shifts.
- Supercar performance claims: 0–60 mph in 2.9 seconds and 248 mph.
- Full running prototype: Chrysler promised a car that could be tested on track, not a mock-up.
Chrysler ME Four-Twelve versions
- Auto show car (2004): the first of the two vehicles, with limited operational capability.
- Running prototype (2004): the fully engineered car built to match the published figures.
The ME Four-Twelve shared its designer with the Firepower concept and its mid-engined ambition with no other Chrysler; the company’s production performance car of the period was the Viper. More cars are in the Chrysler collection.
Video: Chrysler ME Four Twelve (ME412) at SRT Track Experience
Video by kenken830 on YouTube.
Sources
- Chrysler ME Four-Twelve, English Wikipedia: development, chassis, engine, performance
- Chrysler ME Four-Twelve, Wikimedia Commons: photographs
