Survival test for Chrysler

By ALASTAIR SLOANE, Motoring Editor


American carmaker Chrysler startled industry observers at the Detroit motor show by unveiling "the world's fastest supercar" and confirming that its working-class Dodge nameplate would go global, with right-hand-drive models for Australia and New Zealand.

The ME Four-Twelve supercar and the plan for the Dodge range of vehicles comes as the struggling Chrysler Group faces a crucial survival test going into this year.

But executives at the show are betting that the company's luck will change with a line-up of major new Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge models to boost revenue and gain a larger share of the market.

"For the first time, we have a strong hand of cards to play," said Wolfgang Bernhard, chief operating officer of Chrysler.

Chrysler has stumbled in recent years. Chief executive officer Dieter Zetsche has been struggling to move Chrysler from a mainstream brand to one with a so-called premium reputation.

But a boost in the marketing budget and an emphasis on performance this year may drive a real renaissance for the old nameplate.

"There will be performance Chrysler vehicles in the future," Bernhard said.

Joe Eberhardt, executive vice-president of global sales and marketing, said the company had been soul-searching about how to best convey a more upscale image for Chrysler after several missteps.

"We want to put the premium in the product, not in the price," he said. The appearance in this part of the world of Dodge vehicles isn't expected until 2006, when the Chrysler Group will begin production of a new generation of purpose-built right-hand-drive cars and lifestyle four-wheel-drives.

The first Dodge available here is likely to be a small car based on the Mitsubishi Lancer platform (DaimlerChrysler owns more than 30 per cent of Mitsubishi).

Until then, most of the new export drive for Dodge will concentrate on markets in Europe.

The announcement didn't include Australia and New Zealand as specific export markets, but Eberhardt later confirmed to Chrysler Jeep Australia managing director Gerry Jenkins that Dodge was heading to Australia. To date, what Chrysler Australia gets, New Zealand gets.

The ME Four-Twelve is the brainchild of the carmaker's operating chief Bernhard. He wanted a spectacular follow-up to last year's Detroit show star, the V10-powered Dodge Tomahawk motorcycle.

Bernhard challenged the group's design boss, Trevor Creed, to come up with the ultimate supercar, something Chrysler had no experience of making.

The car was designed and built in under 12 months in such secrecy that only a handful of people within DaimlerChrysler knew of its existence.

But the ME Four-Twelve (ME is for mid-engine) is no fantasy concept. It is a fully operational prototype capable of being driven and will be road-ready by mid-year.

DaimlerChrysler executives are looking at producing a limited number for sale to wealthy enthusiasts.

"ME Four-Twelve adds a new aura of performance to the Chrysler brand," said Creed.

The exotic two-door is largely made of carbon-fibre and is powered by a quad-turbocharged 6-litre V12 engine developed by Mercedes-Benz performance house AMG. The all-alloy engine produces 633kW (850bhp) at 5750rpm and 1150Nm of torque between 2500-4500rpm and propels the car to an estimated top speed of 400km/h (247mph). Its estimated zero to 100km/h sprint time of 2.9s rivals Formula One cars.

The ME Four-Twelve weighs just 1310kg and has a specific power output at 142bhp a litre. To put the enormous power to the ground, it uses an exclusive 7-speed electronic Ricardo double clutch transmission with 200 millisecond shift times. The driver uses Formula One-style paddles on the steering wheel to change gear.

Each wheel has 381mm ventilated carbon/ceramic disc brakes with six-piston aluminium callipers. Inside the cockpit, carbon fibre surfaces complement the leather trim and a fully glassed roof to lighten the cabin.

"This car is everything we have learned about creating exciting, desirable automobiles," said Bernhard.

Chrysler also unveiled the Crossfire Roadster, the soft-top version of the V6 Coupe that is due to go on sale in New Zealand next month, and the convertible PT Cruiser.

The Jeep Rescue, a concept designed for extreme off-road conditions, hints at future design direction for the four-wheel-drive arm of Chrysler.

"The Jeep Rescue is Jeep capability taken to the extreme," said designer Creed. "It is uniquely equipped for unequalled search and rescue service."