DETROIT Dodge, part of the Chrysler Group, has stayed with four wheels to create its radical concept machine for the North American International Auto Show
but a car it ain't.
Instead, the company famous for the Viper sports car and awesome Ram pick-up has sculpted an apocalyptic motorcycle for which Mad Max has probably already made a down-payment.
It's called the Tomahawk and, Dodge says, shatters all the limits of conventional thinking about personal transportation. Yeah, and them some
Apart from the obvious benefit of its rider not having to put a foot down at traffic lights (though it's unlikely he'd be able to hold it up anyway!) it has enough power to outrun most small aircraft.
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| The Tomahawk shatters the limits of conventional thinking about personal transport. |
"The Dodge brand philosophy always challenges us to grab life by the horns," said British-born Trevor Creed, senior design vice-president with the Chrysler Group, as the Tomahawk roared into view. Er, didn't he have the, er, balls to say balls?
"In the case of Tomahawk, grabbing and holding on to anything for dear life is a necessity. Its that extreme and passionate; a glimpse into the soul and commitment of true enthusiasts."
This four-wheeled, single-passenger (well, would YOU get on the pillion, if there were one?) vehicle is described by Creed as "a sleek, rolling sculpture that combines art-deco styling with extreme engineering".
Extreme is perhaps a wimpish word when you consider there's an all-aluminium, 350kW, 8.3-litre Viper V10 engine between your thighs to power the two rear wheels to a potential top speed of 670km/h for anyone who wants to test it.
Initial reaction to the Tomahawk at the show involved "Wow!" and then "Why?"
| 'A sleek, rolling sculpture that combines art-deco styling with extreme engineering.' |
The "wow" is answered by Dodge continuing to drive its foot to the floor most recently with the all-new 2003 Viper sports car from which the Tomahawk's motor is derived. The company says it is dedicated to engineering the most powerful production vehicles.
And the "Why?"
Creed has the answer: "The Tomahawk is an icon of extreme thinking for a brand known not only for the legendary Viper and the Ram truck but also for innovative vehicles such as the Magnum SRT-8 and Durango concepts."
"This is a bold slap against mediocrity," Creed added. "The 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 Tomahawk, it could be said, is the ultimate chopper.
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