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Recently, I was able to have an up-close and personal encounter with a supercar I didn't expect to see at the Omaha Auto Show. I had heard rumors about this DaimlerChrysler supercar, but never expected to see the ME Four-Twelve out on tour, let alone on tour through the Midwest. It didn't seem to attract all that much attention during the press hours when I was there, but I'm sure as more and more people read the detail placard fastened to the rope fencing, the true enthusiasts were able to appreciate this car like fine wine.

Whew...where to start. OK, how about the mid-mounted, all-aluminum, quad-turbo, 6.0-liter V-12 powerplant resting beneath the skin of this spectacularly sculpted car? If that doesn't grab one's attention, I don't know what would. This AMG-developed powerplant has an output of 850bhp @ 5750rpm and 850 lb-ft of torque between 2500 and 4500 rpm when running on premium fuel--plenty of power to get the mere 2880 pound vehicle gliding down the run...roadway.

The ample supply of power the ME Four-Twelve is just the first part of the performance puzzle. Projected performance statistics show that the car will achieve a 0-60mph time of just 2.9 seconds, a 0-100mph time of 6.2 seconds, and a quarter-mile time of 10.6 seconds @ 142mph. Not fast enough? How about a 248mph top-end speed? Thought so.

A 7-speed Ricardo double-clutch transmission was designed and developed specifically for this vehicle and features the latest and greatest double wet-clutch technology and electronic control strategy. This breakthrough design allows the ME Four-Twelve to deliver uninterrupted torque to the rear wheels with 200 millisecond shift times.

Rounding out the package are 19x10 inch front and 20x12.5 inch cast aluminum wheels, seated atop some Michelin high-performance radials. The ME Four-Twelve rides at just 44.9 inches tall, takes up 78.7 inches of the roadway and when garaged or trailered, requires about 180 inches of covered length.

The interior follows suit with many of Chrysler's finer automobiles. Carbon fiber seating (weighing in at just 13.5 pounds a piece), 37 inches of headroom, and 42 inches of legroom, and a "glassback" roof panel are able to make even the sizeable supercar suitor salivate.

Keep an eye out for this car at local shows or if it gets hot enough, maybe we'll see a small batch of them scatter off the production lines. Time will tell, and so will RPM Planets if we happen to catch any more news on this fantastic work of automotive artwork. |