Chrysler ME Four-Twelve
Encyclopedia
The ME Four-Twelve is a concept car
produced by Chrysler
under the Chrysler brand
in 2004. It was based on a Mercedes chassis. There were two ME Four-Twelve vehicles produced. The first, strictly an auto show property with very limited operational capabilities, was designed in great secrecy during 2003. It was to use performance expertise from Daimler, and was built by a very small team led by project manager, Lou Rhodes. The auto show vehicle, unveiled at the 2004 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, took less than one year for design and development. The design styling was done by Brian Nielander (exterior) and Mark Walters (interior). ChrOne of these vehicles is reported to have been purchased by American rapper Ludacris
.
The name is rooted in the Mid-Engine with Four turbocharger
s on a Twelve-cylinder
engine.
Chrysler announced to the world media at the 2004 NAIAS that the ME Four-Twelve was a full running prototype intended to lead to serial production. At the time of the announcement in January, 2004, key personnel within the Street & Racing Technology group at Chrysler directed by Dan Knott (also responsible for the Dodge Viper, SRT production adaptations such as Dodge Neon SRT-4 and Dodge Ram SRT-10, Dodge Motorsports, and Mopar performance parts) were alerted that another secret project was being considered; to design and build a fully engineered and functional prototype demonstration vehicle capable of achieving the published performance claims and being available for media track evaluation by the summer of 2004.
.
dual-clutch
semi-automatic
with the capability of shifting gears in 20 milleseconds.
.
. The low profile of the vehicle and low roof ensure that the car is aerodynamic, while multiple air-intakes keep the engine and all working parts cool.
style. No roadster
version was ever expected.
Concept car
A concept vehicle or show vehicle is a car made to showcase new styling and or new technology. They are often shown at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or may not have a chance of being produced....
produced by Chrysler
Chrysler
Chrysler Group LLC is a multinational automaker headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA. Chrysler was first organized as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925....
under the Chrysler brand
Brand
The American Marketing Association defines a brand as a "Name, term, design, symbol, or any other feature that identifies one seller's good or service as distinct from those of other sellers."...
in 2004. It was based on a Mercedes chassis. There were two ME Four-Twelve vehicles produced. The first, strictly an auto show property with very limited operational capabilities, was designed in great secrecy during 2003. It was to use performance expertise from Daimler, and was built by a very small team led by project manager, Lou Rhodes. The auto show vehicle, unveiled at the 2004 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, took less than one year for design and development. The design styling was done by Brian Nielander (exterior) and Mark Walters (interior). ChrOne of these vehicles is reported to have been purchased by American rapper Ludacris
Ludacris
Christopher Brian Bridges , better known by his stage name Ludacris, is an American rapper and actor. Along with his manager, Chaka Zulu, Ludacris is the co-founder of Disturbing tha Peace, an imprint distributed by Def Jam Recordings...
.
The name is rooted in the Mid-Engine with Four turbocharger
Turbocharger
A turbocharger, or turbo , from the Greek "τύρβη" is a centrifugal compressor powered by a turbine that is driven by an engine's exhaust gases. Its benefit lies with the compressor increasing the mass of air entering the engine , thereby resulting in greater performance...
s on a Twelve-cylinder
V12 engine
A V12 engine is a V engine with 12 cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of six cylinders, usually but not always at a 60° angle to each other, with all 12 pistons driving a common crankshaft....
engine.
Chrysler announced to the world media at the 2004 NAIAS that the ME Four-Twelve was a full running prototype intended to lead to serial production. At the time of the announcement in January, 2004, key personnel within the Street & Racing Technology group at Chrysler directed by Dan Knott (also responsible for the Dodge Viper, SRT production adaptations such as Dodge Neon SRT-4 and Dodge Ram SRT-10, Dodge Motorsports, and Mopar performance parts) were alerted that another secret project was being considered; to design and build a fully engineered and functional prototype demonstration vehicle capable of achieving the published performance claims and being available for media track evaluation by the summer of 2004.
Engine
The engine in the ME 412 is a super light, aluminum engine. This V12, coupled with the four turbochargers, is one of the lightest engines in any production car, as well as one of the most powerful, with 850 horsepower. All this power propels the car from 0-60 mph in 2.9 seconds, 0-100 mph in 6.2 seconds, and through a quarter mile in 10.6 seconds at a trap speed of 136 mi/h. These numbers result in an estimated top speed of 248 mi/h, in the league with the Bugatti VeyronBugatti Veyron
The Bugatti Veyron EB 16.4 is a mid-engined grand touring car. The Super Sport version is the fastest road-legal production car in the world, with a top speed of . The original version has a top speed of...
.
Transmission
The ME 412's transmission has a seven-speed sequentialSequential manual transmission
A sequential manual transmission is a type of manual transmission used on motorcycles and high-performance cars for auto racing, where gears are selected in order, and direct access to specific gears is not possible....
dual-clutch
Dual clutch transmission
A dual clutch transmission, commonly abbreviated to DCT , is a differing type of semi-automatic or automated manual automotive transmission. It utilises two separate clutches for odd and even gear sets...
semi-automatic
Semi-automatic transmission
A semi-automatic transmission is an automobile transmission that does not change gears automatically, but rather facilitates manual gear changes by dispensing with the need to press...
with the capability of shifting gears in 20 milleseconds.
Handling
With 265/35ZR19 tires in the front, and 335/30ZR20 tires in the rear, the car produces ample amounts of grip. The brakes on the ME 412 are 16” oiled brakes using six-piston-calipers, on 19” cast aluminum rims in the front, and 20” rims in the rear.Interior
The ME 412's interior features leather seats, a carbon fiber dashboard, and a chrome covered center console with a leather tilt steering wheel, and gunmetal gauges. The ME 412's cabin features dual-zone climate control, a premium audio system, keyless access, and a push button start system. The roof is made of glassSunroof
An automotive sunroof is a fixed or operable opening in an automobile roof which allows light and/or fresh air to enter the passenger compartment. Sunroofs may be manually operated or motor driven, and are available in many shapes, sizes and styles...
.
Body
The body of the ME 412 is ultra-lightweight due to the predominance of carbon fiberCarbon fiber
Carbon fiber, alternatively graphite fiber, carbon graphite or CF, is a material consisting of fibers about 5–10 μm in diameter and composed mostly of carbon atoms. The carbon atoms are bonded together in crystals that are more or less aligned parallel to the long axis of the fiber...
. The low profile of the vehicle and low roof ensure that the car is aerodynamic, while multiple air-intakes keep the engine and all working parts cool.
Chassis
The chassis tub of the ME 412 is carbon-fiber and aluminum honeycomb, with a 4130 steel rear subframe and aluminum castingsBody Styles
The ME 412 would only be featured in the two-door coupeCoupé
A coupé or coupe is a closed car body style , the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and over time...
style. No roadster
Roadster
A roadster is a two-seat open car with emphasis on sporty handling and without a fixed roof or side weather protection. Strictly speaking a roadster with wind-up windows is a convertible but as true roadsters are no longer made the distinction is now irrelevant...
version was ever expected.