THE CHRYSLER ME FOUR TWELVE(PART 3)

ME-412 TEAM EFFECTIVENESS (BY BOB SHEAVES)

There are a grand total of 11 people working on the ME from Chrysler (out of about 10,000 at CTC, FREC, and JTE), according to press preleases. There are a handful of suppliers-let's just say under 10 that have admitted in the public forums (at least in the trade magazines and press).
With regard to the transmission research and development, in my opinion the most important piece of R&D, Ricardo is handling the "bodies" (meaning the people or "warm bodies") doing the work, under Chrysler direction and supervision. Approximately 30 people (2 from DCX, maybe) would be involved with this work, including design, engineering, manufacturing feasibility, testing, and process.


For this team to even make one driveable vehicle (or several, as the article states the car is under development - which, by inference, means there is at least one and probably 5 transmission assemblies - at least one for manufacturing development, at least one in a mule car, and least one in the show car, and at least two in dyno testing) in under 18 months (this time point has not been reached yet) is nothing short of phenomenal - especially given the money spent so far, which is about average for a show car by GM, let alone a functioning vehicle.

THE CHRYSLER ME FOUR TWELVE(PART 2)

In 2004, prototypes were being tested; top speed appeared to be 240 mph with quarter mile times of 10.6 seconds at 136 mph. When AutoWeek test drove it in August 2004, they found numerous differences in the prototype. It used the double-clutch automatically-controlled manual transmission designed and patented by Chrysler, with manual overrides via steering wheel paddles.

One shortcoming of the ME-412 is that it easily beat the expensive Mercedes SLR, which was years in the making, costing Mercedes a large sum of development money, especially when compared to Chrysler's ME4-12. Dieter reportedly was screamed at for this, and it may even have been one of the reasons why Wolfgang Bernhard was "de-selected" from the Mercedes-head job.

In early 2005, we received reports that the ME-412 had been cancelled entirely. In August 2005, we learned that Eckhard Cordes was leaving, along with Juergen Schrempp, and that Dieter Zetsche is replacing them; newspapers reported that the ME-412 had once again gone “under active consideration.”

THE CHRYSLER ME FOUR TWELVE(PART 1)

0-100 in 6.2 seconds, 0-60 in 2.9, Quarter mile of 10.6 @ 136 mph... and all put together in record time

The ME 4-12 is not a concept CAR but a prototype of a car that was never made. According to Deutsche Press, around 300 Chrysler ME 4-12 cars were to be built each year, incorporating carbon and light-weight metals such as aluminum. Road testing was scheduled for late January 2004, with production to start within two years. The concept cars / prototypes were built in the United States by Metalcrafters, the lead engineer is from Chrysler and the lead suppliers from North America. Stuttgart, we are told, wanted to use European suppliers and engineers. Most off the shelf parts appear to be from Chrysler aside from the engine.

CHRYSLER FIREPOWER

Before you start your yammering... yeah, we know this car was supposed to be put into production, but we've heard rumors that those plans for production were canned. It's not the definate "go" that a concept like the Camaro is, so the Firepower earns a spot on this list.

Why we like it: The Firepower is more-or-less a re-skinned Viper, only the sheetmetal is nicer, the interior is nicer, and it comes powered by a HEMI V8. Even with the nicer amenities, the Firepower was supposed to be at least a whole Neon cheaper than a Viper. Could you imagine what an SRT-8 version of the Firepower would have been like? Too bad we'll never find out...

FORD SPORTTRAC ADRENALIN

Here's another concept that was slated for production and then mysteriously axed. We think the Adrenalin's demise has something to do with the "SVT-is-gone-no-it-isn't"-thing going on at Ford, but as no one will confirm the status of SVT, we won't comment on it.

Why we like it: The SportTrac Adrenalin is one of the best representations of a "tuner" vehicle we've ever seen - and it just so happens to be a truck. Who would have thought that a truck could be an ultimate "tuner" vehicle? The SportTrac Adrenalin promised to have a sport-tuned suspension, aggressive aero kit, black-out grille and headlights and a powerful 390 horsepower V8 that was slated to be mated to SVT's first-ever 6-speed automatic transmission. For some reason, this truck got the axe. Bummer...

JEEP HURRICANE

We're three cars in and we finally get to a vehicle that was never slated to hit production. The Hurricane is one of the wildest vehicles we've ever seen. How wild is it? Try this on for size: not only can all four wheels be used to steer the Jeep, these wheels can be positioned to give the Jeep a 0-foot turning radius. That's right, the Hurricane can rotate in place. Secondly: the Hurricane has two -- count 'em -- two engines. Third: this Jeep is made out of our favorite space-age material: carbon fiber, making the exterior of this Jeep totally rad.

Why we like it: Hello? Did you just read the last paragraph? 0-foot turning radius, 2 engines and a carbon fiber shell -- this Jeep is the ultimate off-road vehicle.

MASERATI BIRDCAGE

We almost never see concept cars from exotic/supercar manufacturers. In fact, the Maserati Birdcage is the only exotic concept we've ever seen.

Why we like it: The Birdcage is built on the MC12/Enzo chassis, so it's safe to say that this is one of the few concept cars whose performance can actually match its looks. Oh yeah, we also like the fact that the canopy opens and closes like a real jet-fighter cockpit. Take another glance at this car and realize that the Maserati Birdcage is the car you've been dreaming about since you were 6 brought to life. Why can't all cars be this sweet?