Chrysler Once Built a Bugatti & Koenigsegg Competitor
With 12 cylinders, four turbos, and 850 horsepower, this Chrysler is a far cry from the PT Cruiser, but it’s from the same time frame.
The early 2000s were a wild time in the automotive world. Bugatti was on the hunt to take the record as the world’s fastest production car with the brand new hypercar called the Veyron. Koenigsegg already held the title for the fastest and most powerful production car, courtesy of the CCR, by 2005, and a scrappy company called Shelby Supercars from the Pacific Northwest was also among those with a need for top speed and big power. However, a lesser-known entrant into this world came from one of the biggest automotive manufacturers in history: Chrysler.
In 2004, Chrysler unveiled its hypercar, the ME Four-Twelve. It’s crazy to think that that catchy name doesn’t ring a bell for some, right? However, the name isn’t just a name. It’s telling you what’s inside the tin. This mid-engine monster sports a quad-turbocharged V12 engine and reportedly has a top speed of 248 miles per hour. To say it was ahead of its time is a damn near insulting understatement.
Pagani Powerplant, Four Turbos & A Dream
According to Car Throttle, the ME Four-Twelve utilizes the same 6.0-liter Mercedes V12 engine as the iconic Pagani Zonda. That adds up, considering that, at the time, Chrysler was partnered with Daimler. The big difference between the two is the fact that Chrysler opted to add four turbochargers. That brought total power output to an eye-watering 850 horsepower. In addition, that power was sent through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. While this all sounds fairly standard for supercar stuff at this point, it’s worth remembering that this was over 20 years ago, and we’re talking about Chrysler here.
Reportedly, the ME Four-Twelve could achieve a top speed of 248 miles per hour. In addition, it was said to be capable of a zero to 60 mph sprint in just 2.9 seconds and continue on to 100 mph in just 6.2 seconds. Even by today’s standards, that is extremely fast.
All of this sounds great on paper. So, you’re probably asking yourself: “Why aren’t I seeing these things all over? Surely, since it’s a Chrysler, it shouldn’t cost more than a used PT Cruiser at this point!”
Pricing Beyond Possibility
Despite Chrysler even giving journalists some seat time in the ME Four-Twelve at Laguna Seca, the company ultimately pulled the plug on production. Reportedly, the cars would have had to come with a price tag between $500,000 and $750,000 just to break even. Sure, those numbers don’t seem all that shocking to us in this day and age. However, in 2004, you might have well been asking for firstborn children. The pricing required put it beyond the scope of reality, and Chrysler never put the car into production.
It’s a bummer, but an understandable call. We got to see exactly what happens when you put a massive price tag on a car with a “normal” badge just a few years later, with the Lexus LFA. The LFA is a cherished piece of automotive history now. However, when Lexus first debuted the car, they were almost impossible for dealers to sell. It’s safe to assume that the almighty ME Four-Twelve would have met the same fate.
Photos: Braden Carlson
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