Chrysler’s 400 km/h Supercar
“The ultimate engineering and design statement” – that’s how Chrysler describes its latest concept car, the ME Four-Twelve. The quad-turbo, mid-engined supercar is one of the most closely-guarded secrets of the company and even within the organization, not many knew of its existence.
According to 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,” he said.
The ME Four-Twelve may also set a record for lightning quick development, having taken less than one year to complete from start to finish.
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At the heart of the ME Four-Twelve is its all-aluminium, quad-turbo, 6.0-litre V12 engine. With electronic sequential multipoint fuel injection and a 9:1 compression ratio, the AMG-developed engine delivers 625 kW/850 bhp at 5750 rpm, with an incredible 1150 Nm of torque between 2500 and 4500 rpm! The specific power output translates to 104.4 kW(142 bhp)/litre, and with a curb weight of just 1310 kgs, the ME Four-Twelve sets new performance records and new benchmarks in the supercar class.
And, befitting a machine that will play comfortably in the supercar league, the claimed performance is stunning. In projections and modeling, the ME Four-Twelve goes from 0-60 mph (96.6 km/h) in 2.9 seconds; 0-100 mph (160 km/h) in 6.2 seconds; and it will blister through the quarter mile in 10.6 seconds at 227 km/h. The estimated top speed of the ME Four-Twelve is 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. This exclusive transmission can deliver uninterrupted torque to the rear wheels with 200 millisecond shift times.
The ME Four-Twelve’s advanced, carbon fibre bodywork was designed to mate to a carbon fiber and aluminium honeycomb monocoque tub. Aluminium crush structures and chrome-moly subframes complete the rigid support structure.
Taking advantage of its impressive racecar-like structural rigidity, the ME Four-Twelve’s suspension, steering and brakes are engineered for supercar performance. Overall, the vehicle’s structure – using multiple materials – achieves an ultra-lightweight design with outstanding vehicle rigidity and complies with all US regulations related to impact testing.
The suspension comprises of double wishbones, aluminium 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 ME Four-Twelve braking system features massive 381 mm ventilated carbon ceramic composite disc brake rotors with six-piston aluminium mono block calipers for superior braking performance during all driving conditions. The composite discs are 65% lower in weight than comparable cast iron rotors. This results in significantly reducing unsprung mass and improving shock damping response.
At just 1140 mm tall, 1999 mm wide and 4541 mm long, the two-seat ME Four-Twelve has a striking presence… poised as if ready to pounce. Its “chiseled all from one piece” look is the result of hours of development in the Chrysler Group wind tunnel. The computer-controlled active rear spoiler articulates rearward 100 mm to increase downforce to a total of 421 kgs at 186 mph 300 km/h, while achieving a competitive Cd of 0.358.
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.
This vehicle breaks the mold of the supercar 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 aluminium 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.”
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