The Dodge M4S is an American prototype high-performance sports coupe originally engineered, designed, and built by Dodge in 1981 as a technology demonstrator vehicle. The designation M4S denotes "Mid-engine, 4-cylinder, Sport“. It was developed in collaboration with PPG Industries in the early 1980s and was used intermittently from 1984 to 1987, including as an CART pace car.
History The M4S was penned by then-chief designer of Dodge, Bob Ackerman. From its conception, the car was intended to be built as a fully engineered running prototype rather than as a display piece. Because it was intended to be used as a pace car, it was designed to reach a top speed of . Chrysler designed the body and conducted extensive wind tunnel testing to achieve a drag coefficient of .236.Mehta, 2023
Although the car was designed by Chrysler, actual construction of the vehicle was handled by subcontractors. The semi-monocoque race car chassis was ordered from Huffaker Motorsports of California. 3-D Industries of Madison Heights, Michigan modeled the body and created molds. Special Projects, Inc. of Plymouth, Michigan cast the body panels, assembled the body and interior, and gave the car its signature “root beer brown” paint color by painting layers of pearl over a black base coat. Specialized Vehicles, Inc. of Troy, Michigan handled fabrication, final assembly, and maintenance of the completed car.
The M4S had a tested and confirmed top speed of and could go from 0 to in 4.1 seconds, with more than under the hood coming from its relatively small turbocharged 4-cylinder engine."Joe Pappas Talks About the Dodge-PPG M4S Twin-Turbo Indy Pace Car", Allpar.com. Retrieved July 2, 2014
The car was made famous by its appearance in The Wraith, a 1986 supernatural film,Florea 2021; "The M4S was intended to be used as a pace car, but it made more waves years later, when it was featured in The Wraith, an action-fantasy film from 1986. [...] The Dodge M4S has gained somewhat of a cult following after the film's release, but it's nowhere near as iconic as other movie cars. Based on its looks and unique layout compared to other Dodge cars, the M4S definitely deserves more attention."Golden, 2015 which has since gained it an enthusiast cult following.
A 1982 Dodge M4S Concept was present at the Walter P. Chrysler Museum before its closure.
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