• HOME
• 
• AUTO LISTINGS
• 
• FINANCE
• 
• NEWS
• 
• DIRECTORY
• 
• REVIEWS
• 
• FORUM
• 
• BLOG
• 

Chrysler to put ME Four-Twelve Supercar into Production

Chryslers Return to Financial Health seen behind Decision to Consider Production ME

According to an article in a recent issue of the Detroit News, Chrysler will "more likely than not" produce its stunning ME Four-Twelve, an outlandish 12-cylinder, mid-engined supercar that it stunned the automotive press with during Januarys Detroit Motor Show.

Dieter Zetsche, CEO of Chrysler Group told the newspaper that, "We are in talks with partners who are interested in building it." The company is currently considering the economic implications. The biggest problems on the table right now concern the number of vehicles to produce, and a pricing strategy. The Chrysler CEO hopes to have these details completely sorted by the end of this year.

Names such as Roush, Pagani and Metalcrafters are among the companies on the list to build the auto giants supercar,

Chryslers stunning 12-cylinder mid-engined ME Four-Twelve supercar will "more likely than not" be built. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler)

each bringing their own reputation for building high-quality, low volume vehicles to the equation.

Before Chrysler is a decision whether to opt for sophisticated high-tech/low manual labor production methods or a more hands-on manufacturing approach.

Regardless of the assembly method, the optimal price tag appears to be one of two cases; either seven per year with a purchase price of one million dollars per unit, or a production run of 1,000 cars per year with a more reasonable cost. So far, Chrysler is leaning towards the latter; following in

Chrysler is currently shopping around for a notable company to build the ME, with production numbers being a major consideration. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler)

the tracks of Fords new GT40 "replicar," the GT.

Although the idea of a Chrysler branded supercar sounds odd, it makes a great deal of sense from an economic standpoint. Although Mercedes-Benz, sister company to Chrysler already offers the McLaren engineered and designed SLR, the ME is a completely different type of vehicle. Still, building the ME would make use of DaimlerChryslers AMG division, which recently worked hand-in-hand with Chrysler to develop the 330 horsepower supercharged Crossfire SRT 6.

Not only would the V12-powered ME shed a bright halo over the Chrysler brand, which is steadily moving its image upmarket to compete

With DaimlerChryslers AMG division on hand to help power it, the ME would shed a bright halo over the Chrysler brand. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler)

more closely with GMs Cadillac, Ford Motors Lincoln and various import brands with its new 300C, Crossfire coupe and roadster, and Pacifica crossover SUV, but if priced closer to Fords GT, at around $150,000, the new mid-engined, turbocharged supercar would stretch the options available to luxury buyers, allowing a choice between it and the front-engined supercharged V8-powered SLR. Another attributing factor is the interest for American badged supercars which recently surfaced after the introduction of the retro-shaped Ford GT and revised Saleen S7.

Not surprisingly, like Dodge did with its all-powerful RAM SRT-10 pickup truck, Chrysler is aiming to tear down the competition and set quite a few records with the ME. Its AMG-sourced 6.0-liter quad-turbo V12 packs a powerful punch, enough to

An 850-hp 6.0-liter quad-turbo V12 American-badged supercar for around $150,000? (Photo: DaimlerChrysler)

deliver 850 rocketing horsepower and 850 lb-ft of torque - only overshadowed by the on again off again 987 horsepower Bugatti Veyron. While the quad-turbo motor is slightly shy on grunt, it pulls ahead of the French machine in many other categories including the all-important power to weight ratio which stands at a towering 648 horsepower per ton as compared to the Veyrons 506 horsepower per ton, and a devastating 142 horsepower per liter rating compared to the Veyrons milder 125.1 horses per liter. The lightweight design of the Four-Twelve is also expected to trump the Bugattis handling and braking stats.

Page:  1  2

AUTOMOBILE REVIEWS BY MAKE

Acura  Audi   Bentley   BMW   Buick   Cadillac   Chevrolet   Chrysler   Daewoo   Dodge   Eagle   Ferrari   Ford   Geo   GMC   Honda   Hummer   Hyundai   Infiniti   Isuzu   Jaguar   Jeep   Kia   Lamborghini   Lexus   Lincoln   Lotus   Maserati   Mazda   Mercedes-Benz   Mercury   MINI   Mitsubishi   Nissan   Oldsmobile   Plymouth   Pontiac   Porsche   Saab   Saturn   Scion   Subaru   Suzuki   Toyota   Volkswagen   Volvo