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2005 Chrysler ME Four-Twelve: Race Against Time
Motown is no longer singing slow jams. Actually, one
American Idol is thinking more like Sean Paul – which one is
going to catch my flow? That would be Chrysler trying to totally annihilate
the opposition with its most advanced vehicle ever -- the Dodge Tomahawk
inspired, 850-horsepower ME-Four Twelve -- bringing another street-sweeper
into the supercar arena.
Never before has Chrysler had a supercar heritage or
a halo vehicle in the lineup. So why now? Well, don’t cry wolf
because you just encountered the gritty genius behind the formation
of the ME 4-12. Enter Wolfgang Bernhardt, Chief Operating Officer
for Chrysler Group -- the same engineer who ran the AMG performance
leg of Mercedes. And yes, the ME’s powerplant is manufactured
by AMG! “In terms of advanced materials, aerodynamic efficiency
and vehicle dynamic performance, the ME Four-Twelve represents the
ultimate engineering and design statement from Chrysler,” said
Wolfgang Bernhard. The alphanumeric label of the ME 4-12 represents
mid-engine, four-turbo V12. That’s insane!
Although the performance data for the ME is computer
generated, Chrysler wholeheartedly believes they will break the 3-second
0-60 barrier. It’s quite possible, but at what price is the
question? With four turbochargers sucking in air like a Dirt Devil,
you can only imagine the heat produced from the all-aluminum 6-liter
engine. Nevertheless, with peak torque coming in between 2500 and
4500 rpm, the 2880-lb carbon-fiber body may just be able to sling
shot its way towards those performance numbers. A 7-speed Ricardo
double clutch transmission, purpose built for the ME, performs the
gear changes. Actual driving and wind tunnel testing will take place
close to the end of summer says Chrysler.
  
Because it’s so, so fresh, one glance at the
manicured sculpture of the ME and you instantaneously become a part
of its euphoria. Supreme visual sense and feeling for design and creative
thought runs on classic lines from the essence of American-German
blood. A short hood, angular panels, and bubble greenhouse give it
a futuristic look. Laterally, visualize a cricket with its legs cocked
back ready to spring itself forward. The ME’s large fender flares
surround cast-aluminum 20s in the rear and 19s riding front, and at
just 44.9 inches high the ME sits fairly low.
Have you ever been hypnotized by strange delight? The lightweight
seats are carbon fiber, a metal roof is replaced by a glass panel,
the tubular steering wheel secures paddle shifters and three knobby
temperature controls dominate the center stack.
In moving forward with the prototype project, let’s
just hope Chrysler learned a key lesson from the Veyron experience,
in which the chief engineer was dismissed when the President of Bugatti
took it for a spin and couldn’t control the 1,000 horses under
the hood. But some probably wouldn’t even care as Chrysler has
already received a few calls from eager buyers asking where to send
the check. They all must still be running with March madness.
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