Looking back in the not-so-distant rearview mirror, there have been quite a few attempts to create 'almighty' supercars by domestic manufacturers. Cadillac showed its Cien last year, a low-slung sexy beast which could have, if the GM brand had the balls to build it, easily tackled the Porsche Carrera GT of today. Ford recreated the legendary Le Mans winning 1960s GT40 now going into production as the GT (someone else owns the rights to the GT40 name). Years prior it created the one-off ceramic-paneled GT90 concept.
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| With DaimlerChrysler clearly capable of bringing the ME Four Twelve to market, it's no wonder the boys in Detroit are serious about it. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada) |
Even Chevrolet and Oldsmobile tinkered with 200+ mph concepts in the early '90s, but this is relatively new ground for Chrysler. Or is it? While some might shrink at the though of buying a supercar from a company that wears the same badge as the midsize Sebring sedan or Town & Country minivan, but these come from the same family as the Dodge Viper. Something else to consider, it's not as if Chrysler needs to create all the technology from scratch. The Daimler half of its surname creates some of the most powerful supercars in the world, and the German company appears focused on bringing high levels of respect to its U.S. counterpart. With DaimlerChrysler clearly capable of bringing the ME Four Twelve to market, it's no wonder the boys in Detroit are serious about it.
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| Over the rear wheels lies a 5.9 liter V12 making 850 horsepower and 850 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada) |
With German technology in mind, the ME Four Twelve is mostly about its engine. Over the rear wheels lies a 5.9 liter V12 making 850 horsepower and 850 lb-ft of torque. Yes that's right, 850 on both counts. It'll out muscle anything from the supercar brand of supercars Ferrari, ultra-exotic Lamborghini or Porsche. Fact is, it packs more punch than any other manufacturer I can think of other than Bugatti. But its 1001 horsepower Veyron is another story altogether.