When people talk about Chrysler’s long history of innovation, they often mention the Airflow, the 1957 300C, or the Turbine Car. But buried deep in the early 2000s, during one of the most daring eras of American car design, Chrysler built something completely different—a bona fide supercar called the ME Four-Twelve. And it wasn’t just for show. This thing was real, and it was fast.
Born in Secrecy, Built for Speed –
The Chrysler ME Four-Twelve made its surprise debut at the 2004 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. The name was a simple breakdown: “ME” for Mid-Engine, “Four” for quad turbochargers, and “Twelve” for the 12-cylinder engine at its heart; other people called it the ME-412. It was bold, brash, and designed with one goal in mind: to surpass anything else on the market.
The ME Four-Twelve packed an AMG-built, 6.0-liter V12, boosted by four turbochargers. That added up to a massive 850 horsepower and 850 lb-ft (1,152 Nm) of torque. We’re talking about a 2,880-pound (1,306 kg) carbon-fiber missile with a power-to-weight ratio of just 3.4 lbs per horsepower. Chrysler projected 0-60 mph in 2.9 seconds, 0-100 mph in 6.2 seconds, and a top speed of 248 mph (400 km/h). That would’ve made it the fastest car in the world at the time.
Advanced From the Ground Up –
Built in less than a year, the ME Four-Twelve wasn’t just about big numbers—it was packed with engineering. Its body and chassis used a carbon fiber and aluminum honeycomb monocoque, giving it strength and low weight. Suspension was full race-spec with double wishbones, adjustable coil-overs, and a carbon ceramic brake system with 15-inch rotors and six-piston calipers.
It rolled on Michelin high-performance tires, 265/35ZR19 up front and 335/30ZR20 in the rear, mounted to lightweight cast aluminum wheels. The transmission? A 7-speed Ricardo dual-clutch with lightning-quick 200-millisecond shifts—cutting-edge stuff for 2004.
Design That Dared to Dream –
At just 44.9 inches (1.14 m) tall, the ME Four-Twelve looked like it was carved from a wind tunnel. A full active aerodynamic system kept it planted at speed, including a rear spoiler that automatically adjusted to provide 925 lbs (420 kg) of downforce at 186 mph (300 km/h). The underbody had built-in diffusers and vents to manage airflow, just like a Le Mans prototype.
Inside, Chrysler didn’t forget its luxury roots. The ME featured leather-trimmed bucket seats, a carbon-fiber dashboard, and a glass roof panel stretching from windshield to the back of the cabin. It also had dual-zone climate control, a tilt steering wheel, and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters—blending race car performance with real-world comfort.
So What Happened?
Despite all the hype and its jaw-dropping performance, the ME Four-Twelve never made it to production. Chrysler built two units, one a show car and the other a fully functional prototype. The timing just didn’t line up—DaimlerChrysler was in cost-cutting mode, and the market for $500,000+ American supercars just wasn’t ready.
Still, the ME Four-Twelve remains a landmark in Chrysler history. It proved that an American company, often known for family sedans and minivans, could dream big and execute a world-class supercar. Even today, 21 years later, it stands tall as one of the boldest “what-ifs” in automotive history.
2004 Chrysler ME Four-Twelve Prototype Image Gallery:
