(from DaimlerChrysler Press Release)
The spectacular quad-turbo, V-12 powered, mid-engine Chrysler ME
Four-Twelve super car has roared onto the scene to shine as the most
advanced Chrysler ever built.
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 Performance
The 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.
The suspension is comprised of double wishbones, aluminum control arms,
horizontally-opposed coil-over dampers with electronically controlled
compression and rebound tuning, stainless-steel push rods and a blade
configured anti-roll bar.
The power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering has an overall ratio of 16:1
with 2.4 turns lock-to-lock and a turning circle of 36.0 feet.
The ME Four-Twelve braking system features massive 15.0-inch (381 mm)
ventilated carbon ceramic composite disc brake rotors with six-piston
aluminum mono block calipers for superior braking performance during all
driving conditions. The composite discs are sixty-five percent lower in
weight than comparable cast iron rotors. This results in significantly
reducing unsprung mass and improving shock damping response.
ME Four-Twelve wheels are cast aluminum: 19x10-inch front and
20x12.5-inch rear. Michelin high-performance radials are 265/35ZR19 in
the front and 335/30ZR20 in the rear.
Ultimate Chrysler
Engineering and Design Statement – to the Last Aerodynamic Detail
At just 44.9 inches tall, 78.7 inches
wide and 178.8-inches long, the two-seat, mid-engine ME Four-Twelve has
a striking presence – poised as if ready to pounce. The ME Four-Twelve
carbon fiber body work has that “chiseled all from one piece” look,
honed from hours of development in the Chrysler Group wind tunnel in
Auburn Hills, Mich.
The computer controlled active rear spoiler articulates rearward 100 mm
to increase down-force to a total of 925 lbs. (421 kg) at 186 mph (300
km/h), while achieving a competitive coefficient of drag (Cd) of 0.358.
This results in unwavering stability at the ultra-high speeds of which
ME Four-Twelve is capable. All body openings have been optimized to
achieve maximum thermal performance. In addition, large vented front and
rear wheel houses reduce lift as well as active and passive aerodynamic
devices that have been implemented to provide stable vehicle performance
at all speeds. Those devices include:
A front fascia splitter for increased frontal down-force
A fully developed underbody with integral rear diffuser to reduce lift
and provide additional rear down-force
Formations in the belly pan forward of each wheel to aid in reducing
lift
The decklid rear “ski-slope” formation improves rear down-force
Large rear grille integrated into the fascia helps ventilate air through
the engine compartment
Cubic section at the leading edge of the front fascia helps air attach
to the underbody and reduces lift
A Tasteful and
Purposeful Interior Environment
Chrysler brand beauty and elegance has
been blended with the function and form that are essential in the
ultimate super car. For example, ME Four-Twelve’s interior shows the
carbon fiber structure of the body tub throughout, used for its
light-weight attributes but refined in texture to fulfill the Chrysler
brand promise. In addition, leather-covered sport seats, a tilt steering
wheel, automatic climate control and a premium audio system are housed
in a vehicle that is just as at home on the highway as it is on the race
track. Unique features and elements include:
Carbon fiber seat structure with a total seat weight of just 27 lbs.
(12.3 kg)
Competitive-in-class interior roominess with 37.2 in (942 mm) of
headroom, and 42.7 in (1085 mm) of legroom
A large glass roof panel extends from the windshield to the rear header
Passenger-side adjustable foot support helps keep the “co-pilot” in
position during extreme cornering maneuvers
This vehicle breaks the mold of the super car genre because its
packaging can easily accommodate drivers in a wide range of heights.
Ease of access to driving controls was a primary focus. For example,
there are steering wheel mounted controls, including a column mounted
F-1 racing style paddle shifter with aluminum shift paddles and
centrally mounted driver controls.
“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,
Chief Operating Officer - Chrysler Group. “It’s everything we’ve learned
about creating exciting, desirable automobiles. And, as such, it’s not
really a concept car but is, in fact, a prototype that will be
road-ready by summer.”
