(from Daimler Chrysler Press Release)
The Viper-powered Dodge Tomahawk concept vehicle shatters all the
barriers of conventional thinking about personal transportation. This
four-wheel, single-passenger vehicle is a sleek, rolling sculpture that
combines art-deco styling with extreme engineering.
The 500-horsepower Viper V-10 engine powering the dual rear wheels gives
this radical vehicle a potential top speed of nearly 400 miles per hour
- for anyone who wants to test it. The Tomahawk roared into public view
at the North American International Auto Show.
"The Dodge brand philosophy always challenges us to grab life by the
horns," said Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President - Design, Chrysler
Group. "In the case of Tomahawk, grabbing and holding onto anything for
dear life is a necessity. It's just that extreme and passionate; a
glimpse into the soul and commitment of true enthusiasts."
Initial reaction to the concept vehicle typically comes in two words:
"Wow" and "why."
The "wow" is easy to understand from Dodge, the brand that continues to
drive its foot to the floor - most recently with the all-new 2003 Viper,
Heavy Duty and Light Duty Rams and an SRT lineup dedicated to
engineering the most powerful production vehicles in their segments.
But "why" would a company, famous for its innovative car and truck
designs, go down this particular path?
"Tomahawk is an icon of the extreme thinking for a brand that is known
not only for the legendary Viper and Ram, but also for all new,
innovative vehicles such as the Magnum SRT-8 and Durango concepts," said
Creed.
That extreme thinking produced a machine in the true tradition of
power-junkie passion, powered by a 505 cu. in., 8300 cc aluminum Viper
V-10 engine.
"This is a bold faced slap against mediocrity," Creed said. "Tomahawk is
a scintillating example of what creative minds can do when given the
opportunity to run free. It is a pure mechanical sculpture and a joyous
celebration of the artistry and emotion of design."
The Dodge Tomahawk is a Chrysler Group design concept that is as much a
Viper-powered work of art as it is a whole new type of vehicle
invention. It is both a sculpture that can be ridden, as well as a bold
statement about the Chrysler Group's enthusiast culture and passion for
design.
"Tomahawk moves design concept introductions and the concept car game to
a whole new level - as only Dodge and the Chrysler Group can," said
Creed.
Dodge Tomahawk Preliminary Specifications
GENERAL INFORMATION
Body Style: Single-seat Viper-powered motorcycle concept vehicle
Alternator: 136-amp high-speed
Battery: Leak-resistant, maintenance-free 600 CCA
Lighting: Headlights consist of 12 five-watt LEDs, front, with
beam-modifying optics and masked lenses. Eight LEDs, rear. Headlamps
articulate with wheels.
TRANSMISSION: Manual, foot-shifted two-speed
Type: Aluminum-cased two-speed, sequential racing-style with dog ring,
straight-cut gears
Gear Ratios:
1st 18:38
2nd 23:25
Clutch: Double-disc, dry-plate with organic friction materials, hand
lever actuated with assist
FINAL DRIVE: Dual 110-link motorcycle-style chains
Front Sprockets: 14 teeth
Rear Sprockets: 35 teeth
BODY/CHASSIS:
Layout: Longitudinal, centrally mounted engine, rear-wheel drive
Chassis Construction: Monocoque, engine is central, stressed member
Body Construction: Billet aluminum
SUSPENSION:
Front: Outboard, single-sided parallel upper and lower control arms made
from polished billet aluminum. Mounted via ball joint to aluminum
steering uprights and hubs. Five degrees caster. Single, fully
adjustable centrally located coil-over damper (2.25-inch coil with
adjustable spring perch); pullrod and rocker-actuated mono linkage.
Center-lock racing-style hubs
Rear: Hand-fabricated box-section steel inboard swing arms,
incorporating "hydral-link" lockable recirculating hydraulic circuit
parking stand. Single fully adjustable centrally located Koni coil-over
damper (2.25-inch coil with adjustable spring perch); pushrod and
rocker-actuated mono linkage. Center-lock racing-style hubs
STEERING:
Type: Dual hub center type.
Steering Linkage: Rocker arm and push/pull rod with roller bearings.
Polished billet aluminum steering yoke with turned aluminum grips and
billet levers
Steering Lock: 20 degrees, left and right
Lean Angle: 45 degrees, left and right
TIRES (4):
Mfr. and Model: Dunlop custom-made symmetrical
Size, Front (2): P120/60R-20
Size, Rear (2): P150/50R-20
WHEELS (4):
Type and Material: Billet aluminum discs, asymmetrical
Size, Front (2): 20x4
Size, Rear (2): 20x5
BRAKES:
Front: 20-inch perimeter-mounted drilled machined stainless steel
rotors, one per wheel. Two four-piston fixed aluminum calipers per wheel
(16 pistons total), custom designed. Blue anodized caliper finish.
Hand-activated.
Rear: 20-inch perimeter-mounted drilled cast-iron rotors, one per wheel.
One four-piston fixed aluminum caliper per wheel (8 pistons total),
custom designed. Blue anodized caliper finish. Foot-activated.
PERFORMANCE:
0-60 mph: 2.5 seconds (est.)
Top Speed: 300+ mph (est.)
