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Chrysler ME Four Twelve

Chrysler ME Four Twelve

Chrysler ME Four Twelve was a concept car, which the world never got the chance to have. The automobile was unveiled and showcased at the 2004 edition of the American International Auto Show, in Detroit. The design and concept of the car was so outstanding that it left established carmakers astonished, but, unfortunately, the car would ever see the light of the day.

 Chrysler ME Four Twelve was an amazing prototype of a car, although it never got approved. The creative automobile was a project implemented by only a small team. When the car was showcased in America in 2004, it was evident that the makers would make sales. This is because the unique design immediately attracted luxury car lovers, and it was so obvious it would be in demand. The Chrysler ME Four Twelve price would have been attractive, considering that it cost less to make. Unfortunately, one thing led to another, and the car never actualized.

The auto was a two-door, two-seat, mid-engine super car. It had outstanding features such as four turbochargers, mid-engine, and 12 cylinders. In fact it is from these specifications that the name Chrysler ME Four Twelve was coined – Mid-Engine, 4 turbo chargers and 12 cylinders.

The concept car was so powerful that it had the capacity to accelerate from zero to 100 miles in around six seconds. Most notably, the great features incorporated in the concept car were developed in record time by a small team of engineers and veteran carmakers and designers.

According to the automakers, the plan was to produce some 300 Chrysler ME Four Twelve cars every year. Clearly, the company would have made good revenues with their unique auto, but it appeared something was not right. Many critics have argued that the only problem with the Chrysler ME Four Twelve, which could have contributed to its failure to be approved, was that it was much better than the Mercedes SLR, which had been under development for years at a much higher cost than the ME. Apparently, executives at the Mercedes feared that the Chrysler ME Four Twelve would embarrass the Mercedes. At this point, it is noteworthy that the ME -412 incorporated Mercedes features with Chrysler designs, making a unique product.

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It is not far-fetched to imagine that the launch of the car would have spelt doom for Mercedes, which leads one to believe the critics’ claims that the idea was written off to save the Mercedes. The Chrysler was as if it was debuting in a market where such cars are only expected to come from big names in England, Italy and Germany.

It is noteworthy that at the time the car was designed and showcased, Chrysler was a part of Daimler-Benz. The company was not doing so well, but Chrysler was posting profits in 2004 and 2005. The subsequent mergers did not help Daimler-Benz performance, although the automaker had invested billions of dollars in the brand. One can only wonder if the company’s revenues would have been helped had the ME-412 been launched in 2004 or later. After all, it would be part of business at home.

The story of Chrysler ME Four Twelve is one that reflects creativity and boldness. The concept car was designed at a record low budget, within a record time, by a record small team. It still remains an idea. It is possible that in the future, we will see Chrysler ME Four Twelve on the roads.