The Dodge M4S: A Twin Turbo Mid Engine Supercar you didn't know about

Join this channel to get access to perks:
   / @chrisvscars  

When thinking of cars, there are legendary names that stir the hearts of enthusiasts. Dodge, a brand known for its muscle cars, gave us the Charger, Challenger, and the modern-day Viper. But there's another Dodge that's often overshadowed by its high-performance siblings, a car that was truly ahead of its time – the Dodge M4S, also known as the Turbo Interceptor PPG.
The story of the M4S began in 1981 when Dodge introduced this remarkable vehicle. However, it wasn't just another production car; it was conceived as a technology demonstrator. This mid-engined marvel was a radical departure from Dodge's traditional offerings. It featured a sleek and aerodynamic body, with a drag coefficient of just 0.23, a result of extensive wind tunnel testing. And The M4S wasn't built within Chrysler's own facilities; instead, it was assembled by a combination of companies, including 3-D Industries for the outer shell molds, Special Projects Inc. for the body and interior, and Specialized Vehicles Inc. for the final assembly of four prototypes.
What made the M4S truly unique was not just its futuristic appearance but also what resided beneath its aerodynamic shell. While many supercar manufacturers of that era opted for V8 and V12 engines, Dodge decided to go a different route. The M4S was equipped with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and not just any four banger a 2.2-liter Cosworth-tweaked powerhouse producing a remarkable 440 horsepower. This turbocharged engine, combined with the M4S's lightweight and aerodynamic design, catapulted the car from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds, and on a long straight she could reach a top speed of 195 mph. This meant that In the early 1980s, it was the fastest car powered by a four-cylinder engine, solidifying its place in automotive history.
Now the car was build Originally to be used as a pace car for the PPG IndyCar World Series, but the M4S gained wider recognition when it was featured in the 1986 action-fantasy film, "The Wraith." In this film, a resurrected teen, portrayed by a young Charlie Sheen, returns from the dead as a supernatural street racer driving an indestructible supercar. The car is black, ominous, and capable of avenging its driver’s murder. It exacts retribution by causing dramatic fiery crashes and then miraculously regenerating itself – a plot that epitomizes the extravagance of 1980s cinema. Sounds a bit like modern FNF movies.
Anyways The M4S became an instant hit among teenagers, leaving an indelible mark on the era's pop culture. It may not be as iconic as other movie cars, but the M4S's unique design and mid-engine layout set it apart from the typical Dodge vehicles of its time.
Interestingly, the M4S almost ended up being more infamous than famous due to a near-fatal accident during stunt driving. Now The original M4S made for indycar is now housed at the Walter P. Chrysler Museum. However, what's even more fascinating is what happened to the two drive-worthy movie prop cars featured in the movie"The Wraith."
One of these cars mysteriously disappeared, its whereabouts unknown to this day. The second car, created by Gene Winfield, the man behind its design, eventually made its way to Bob Butts at the Fantasy Car Ranch. Butts later sold it to John Watson, a kit car maker, who used it as the basis for a kit car known as the Wraith II.
Now a total of 5 bodys seem to have been made, 1 with the Cosworth engine, 2 with VW engines, that where used for filming, and to bodies with no engines. And While the dream of putting the M4S into production never materialized, it had already made a significant impact. In 2015, one of the M4S models which had no engine, got fitted with a supercharged Pontiac V6, and was listed for sale on Craigslist for $150,000. the car has no VIN, and it isn't road-legal. So that’s a lot of money as you aren’t even aloud to drive it, but that said the car remains a rare gem, so maybe its worth it.
I mean The Dodge M4S remains a testament to Dodge's ambition to push the boundaries of technology and design. While it never became a production reality, the M4S paved the way for future automotive advancements. Its compact yet powerful four-cylinder engine foreshadowed the trend of downsized, turbocharged powerplants that we see in modern high-performance cars like the Mercedes-AMG A45.
While the M4S may not be actively seen on the road, its spirit lives on in the hearts of enthusiasts who admire its unique blend of innovation, design, and speed. Its futuristic look, combined with cutting-edge technology, continues to fascinate, making it a memorable piece of automotive history.

#Dodge #thewraith #Turbointerceptor