AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Jan. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 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."
SOURCE Chrysler Group
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