Chrysler ME Four-Twelve Mid-Engine Super Car

from Automotive (1689 articles)

A-

A+

Page: 1 2 3

Chrysler used the media focus at the 2004 NAIAS in Detroit to announce a spectacular quad-turbo, V-12 powered, mid-engine super car which it has named the "ME Four-Twelve."The ultimate engineering and design statement, and a brilliant example of the Chrysler Group's capabilities, the ME Four-Twelve will establish a real-world performance record for a rear-wheel drive, mid-engine super car and may also set a record for lightening-quick vehicle development. Taking less than one year to complete from start to finish, the Chrysler Group partnered with some of the best in the business to assist in its development.

"The ME Four-Twelve has been one of the most closely guarded secrets, not only to the outside world but also within our organization," said Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President - Chrysler Group Design. "The idea for this machine was conceived as a spectacular follow-up to the Dodge Tomahawk shown last year.

The big difference is that Tomahawk was a design statement. ME Four-Twelve, however, is as much an engineering statement as it is a design statement.""ME Four-Twelve adds a new aura of performance to the Chrysler brand," Creed said. "It is aerodynamically honed, and it balances elegance and power.

It exudes strength, performance and prestige. The ME Four-Twelve is Chrysler's own creative interpretation of the classic mid-engine super car architecture." AMG Powertrain and Ricardo Clutch Transmission for Unmatched 0-60 PerformanceThe heart of the ME Four-Twelve is its all-aluminum, quad-turbo, 6.0-liter V-12 engine.

With electronic sequential multipoint fuel injection and a 9.0:1 compression ratio, the ME Four-Twelve's AMG-developed engine delivers 850 bhp @ 5750 rpm, with 850 lb-ft. (1150 N-m) of torque between 2500 and 4500 rpm on premium unleaded fuel.

The specific power output translates to 142 bhp/liter, and with a curb weight of just 2880 lbs. (1310 kg), the ME Four-Twelve has the weight-to-power ratio of 3.4 lbs/bhp - each of these sets new performance records and new benchmarks in the super car category. And, befitting a machine that will play comfortably in the super car league, the performance of the ME Four-Twelve is stunning. In our projections and modeling, the ME Four-Twelve goes from 0-60 mph in 2.9 seconds, 0-100 mph in 6.2 seconds and it will blister through the quarter mile in 10.6 seconds at 142.0 mph.

The estimated top speed of the ME Four-Twelve is 248 mph (400 km/h). The vehicle is designed and packaged to achieve outstanding thermal performance under extreme operating conditions. Its large capacity, high-efficiency engine-cooling system allows this engine to retain optimum thermal performance - a key advantage in the super car arena.The 7-speed Ricardo Double Clutch Transmission was developed specifically for this vehicle and features the latest double wet-clutch technology and electronic control strategy. The exclusive ME Four-Twelve transmission delivers uninterrupted torque to the rear wheels with 200 millisecond shift times.

Advanced Composite Structure, Cat-Quick Agility

The ME Four-Twelve's advanced, carbon fiber bodywork was designed to mate to a carbon fiber and aluminum honeycomb monocoque tub. Aluminum crush structures and chrome-moly sub-frames complete the ME Four-Twelve's rigid support structure. Taking advantage of its impressive racecar-like structural rigidity, the ME Four-Twelve's suspension, steering and brakes are engineered for super car performance. Overall, the vehicle's structure - consisting of multiple materials - achieves an ultra lightweight design with outstanding vehicle rigidity and complies with all US federal regulations related to impact testing.

...continued

Page: 1 2 3