Daimler-Chrysler is wasting resources to associate his image with very special projects.
According to Trevor Creed, vice president of Chrysler Group Design, the ME Four Twelve was a well-kept secret for a long time, not just doors outside but inside the organization. The idea of building this machine was conceived as a continuation of what had been done with the Dodge Tomahawk exhibited in 2003.
The big difference is that the Tomahawk was a design statement. The ME Four-Twelve, on the other hand, is both an engineering and a design statement. Development time was exceptionally short for such a challenge, realized from scratch in less than a year.
The V12 that drives this vehicle, fully constructed of aluminum, was developed by AMG. It has sequential multipoint fuel electronic injection system. The result is a ratio of 142 HP per litre of cylinder capacity and 1.54 kg per HP.
Its capacity, high efficiency of the engine cooling system allows it to achieve very good thermal performance in extreme demanding conditions, an important advantage for this class of cars. The brake system uses 15 inch ventilated discs, manufactured in a composite of carbon and ceramic, the jaws are aluminum mono block with six pistons.
The rear spoiler is automatically controlled by a computer that can lift it 100 mm so that at 300 km/h it generates a downforce load of 420 kg.
The interior features the F1 style steering wheel controls, the audio system, automatic air conditioning control and lightweight leather upholstered carbon fiber seats, with position adjustments to accommodate individuals of different heights.
Rear wheel drive
0 to 100 km/h in 2.9 sec
© Adrián Blanco 2004 — Prohibited the total or partial reproduction of text and/or images without explicit written consent of the author. —