What If? 2022 Chrysler ME-8

[Hagerty]

Welcome to What If, a new feature from imaginative illustrator Abimelec Arellano and Hagerty. We'll be taking you back in time-and possibly forward into the future-to meet alternative-universe automobiles. Even better, our time machine is working well enough to bring "short take" reviews along with the photographs and advertisements.
https://www.hagerty.com/media/what-if/what-if-2022-chrysler-me-8/

[anatolyarutunof]

are you at all familiar with the dozen or so bristol fighters? chrysler v10 up front and dimensions very slightly smaller than a 911 of a dozen years ago. they haven't built the twin-turbo yet; waiting for someone to place the order. they contacted me way back when about wanting to be the fastest streetlegal car at bonneville (before the veyron showed up) and i told them to check with land speed louise. bristol wanted to run a true streetcar: no cage, racing fuel cell, etc. so that idea went away, along with the financing, a couple owners ago. my long although distant friendship with the late chairman/owner tony crook, ordering a 410 in '68 and tracking down the only 407 zagato in the world, sort of made me their american contact. lovely memories. i'd comment on 'getting started in racing' but it'd just take too long...be well!

[Jack_Hagerty]

I'd do just about anything to drive a Bristol Fighter...

Comment on the other article and send me a bill!

[hyperv6]

The shame of this is Chrysler did not waste money on this but still squandered the money that could have saved them. 

Sergio basically robbed them of the money they were making with Ram and Jeep and did not put it back into Chrysler. 

He pumped it into Maserati and Alfa with weak results that still sent them to be sold to the French. 

[9lbhammer]

I like to think of a 2022 duster as a miata competitor with less dorky vibes. (read as cal naughton jr from talledega nights)

[andy_w]

UK reader here.

Love these articles.

The Colby Douche reference is great, and makes me wonder how many other subtle jokes I miss every week!

[Jack_Hagerty]

I wish they'd continued with the series... my brother hasn't run out of ways to make fun of me after 44 years, so the fact that SP did after like two years made me sad!

[JeffWeimer]

I drive a Lutzmobile - '12 Cruze. A very good car for what it desires to be. He really should have been the CEO of *any* car company based on what he was able to do as a VP everywhere he worked.

[GLHNSLHT2]

The hemi is great but in a car like this it's heavy. How about take two of the new i6 turbos and graft them together for an all Mopar v12 with over 1000hp and go. 6liter v12 quad turbo. Done.

[FloridaMarty]

What is the point of this article? You know what, Never mind. Too much time wasted already.

[Jack_Hagerty]

"Welcome to What If, a new feature from imaginative illustrator Abimelec Arellano and Hagerty. We’ll be taking you back in time—and possibly forward into the future—to meet alternative-universe automobiles. Even better, our time machine is working well enough to bring “short take” reviews along with the photographs and advertisements. Buckle up and enjoy the ride!"

That's the point.

[RallyeRalph]

Fabulous alternate universe tale! Sadly in this universe we got a Fiat 500.  A minicar designed in Italy and assembled in Mexico by Chrysler ( the master of great designs ruined by beancounters). What could ever go wrong there?

[RallyeRalph]

My personal Bob Lutz experience: Years ago I was pulling onto I-75 in Northern Kentucky (after a luxurious lunch stop at the drive-thru at White Castle) and as I accelerated into the right lane, next to me I saw a Lamborghini LM002 (the mammoth 4x4 4-door with a back porch that could seat 4 at 100 mph) and as I gawked I recognized Mr. Lutz and Lady Lutz. It was when he was at Chrysler and Chrysler owned Lambo. He glanced at me, smiled and stomped it. The lasr I saw was a apidly diminishing Michigan manfacturing plate.

[RallyeRalph]

"rapidly diminishing Michigan manufacturer plate"

[ChevyDave]

I'm a mid-engine guy and the number of Detroit teases over the years have been ridiculous: all the Corvette prototypes starting back in the 60's, the GT-90, the Cien, the ME Four-Twelve this story is based on...ugh, just ugh. At least Ford deserves some kudos for putting the GT into production.....twice!

[Gary_Bechtold]

The Chrysler ME Four-Twelve would have been a very interesting car had it been produced. That car with either Viper or hellcat power would have been really interesting.