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News

Must-Know Facts About the Dodge Tomahawk

Concept vehicles don’t come much crazier than the Dodge Tomahawk, a four-wheeled ‘motorcycle’ powered by an 8.3-liter V-10 engine from a Dodge Viper. The Dodge Tomahawk’s top speed was rated at 420 mph, but no one ever was foolish enough to try it out. Had someone tried it, it could’ve been the fastest motorcycle in the world. Only one was built by Dodge, but nine others were constructed by Neiman Marcus and sold for $550,000 each!

The Dodge Tomahawk was unveiled in 2003 as a one-off concept vehicle. It was designed by Chrysler Group employees Bob Schroeder and Dave Chyz. While it gained massive publicity for the Chrysler Group, it was never intended for production. However, nine replicas were built by Neiman Marcus and sold to enthusiasts. Here are 15 must-know facts about the Dodge Tomahawk:

Is The Dodge Tomahawk A Car Or A Motorcycle?

The Dodge Tomahawk has a car engine and four wheels, but it has the design and styling of a motorcycle. It is considered a motorcycle because it has one seat, two-foot pedals, handlebars, and handbrakes, which are all defining characteristics of a motorcycle.

Dodge Tomahawk Had A Truly Unique Suspension System

The Dodge Tomahawk featured a unique suspension system to accommodate its four wheels. It used independent suspension on both the front and rear, allowing a 45-degree lean in either direction without lifting any tires off the ground. This ensured that all four tires remained in contact with the surface during cornering.

Due to its status as a concept vehicle, the Dodge Tomahawk was not road legal and did not undergo street-use testing or conform to regulations. Even the replicas sold by Neiman Marcus were not street legal. The bikes were marketed as “rolling sculptures,” but buyers would have to make modifications to make them road legal.

Dodge Claimed the Top Speed Of The Tomahawk Was 420 MPH

The Dodge Tomahawk was claimed to have a top speed of 420 mph, based on the horsepower of the Dodge Viper engine. However, the motorcycle was never officially tested on the track to verify this top speed.

Tomahawk Had A Racing Transmission To Handle The Excessive Torque

To handle the torque and power of the V-10 engine, the Dodge Tomahawk featured a foot-shifted, two-speed aluminum-cased sequential racing-style transmission. The clutch was activated by a hand lever, and the rear tires were driven by a chain.

Tomahawk Had Upgraded Brakes To Stop The Excessive Power

The Dodge Tomahawk was equipped with 20-inch stainless steel disc brake rotors, one per wheel. The front and rear brakes had two four-piston calipers each, for a total of 16 pistons. The braking system was designed to effectively stop the powerful motorcycle.

The Dodge Tomahawk Was Only Produced For Four Years

While Dodge only built one concept vehicle, Neiman Marcus produced nine replicas of the Dodge Tomahawk between 2003 and 2006. These replicas were sold for $550,000 each and were built due to demand and positive response after the concept vehicle’s unveiling in 2003.

No One Ever Published A Road Test

As the Dodge Tomahawk was not road legal, no publication or media outlet was able to conduct a road test. Therefore, the top speed and practicality of the vehicle remain unknown, as it was never officially tested on the track.

Dodge Built The Tomahawk To Make A Point

The Dodge Tomahawk was built as a concept vehicle to showcase the engineering and technical capabilities of the Chrysler Group. It was designed to create interest and demonstrate the company’s ambition and innovation in the automotive industry. The Tomahawk represented Dodge’s willingness to take risks and think outside the box.

The Dodge V-10 Engine Was Unveiled In 1992

The Dodge V-10 engine, powering the Tomahawk, was first unveiled in 1992. It initially featured a displacement of 7,990cc and produced 400 horsepower. The engine was later upgraded to produce over 500 horsepower in its third generation.

The Engineering For The Dodge Tomahawk Was Pretty Wild

The engineering behind the Dodge Tomahawk was impressive and unique. To keep the bike low, the engine was changed to dry sump lubrication, and the cooling radiators were placed in the “V” of the engine. The bike featured innovative swing arms, hub-center steering, and rim-mounted disc brake rotors. The rear suspension could be locked, allowing the Tomahawk to stand independently without a side stand.

The Tomahawk Chassis Components Were Milled From Billet Aluminum

The main chassis components of the Tomahawk were milled from billet aluminum. Starting from massive 750-pound billets, they were machined down to just 25 pounds each, resulting in lightweight yet strong components to support the V-10 engine.

The Dodge Tomahawk Is Enormous

The Dodge Tomahawk weighs approximately 1,500 pounds, making it significantly heavier than traditional motorcycles. The weight is necessary to provide stability and keep the powerful V-10 engine grounded.

The Press Reaction Was Critical

The initial press reaction to the Dodge Tomahawk was critical, with some considering it a wild and outrageous concept. The Tomahawk received mixed reviews, with critics questioning its design and purpose. However, the public’s reaction was more positive, expressing awe and interest in the unique motorcycle concept.

The “Wow” And The “Why” Of The Tomahawk

The Dodge Tomahawk garnered both “Wow” and “Why” reactions from the public. While many were amazed by its design and performance capabilities, others questioned the practicality and necessity of such a vehicle. Ultimately, Dodge created the Tomahawk as an expression of their engineering prowess and a showcase of their innovative spirit.

Motorsport

Aston Martin Plans to Release Four Electric Vehicles That Will Not Replace Existing Internal Combustion Engine Models

Aston Martin’s previous attempts at electric vehicles, the Rapide E and Lagonda Vision Concept, were cancelled. However, the company is now more determined than ever to sell zero-emission cars and has improved financially due to significant investments. To prepare for their electric future, Aston Martin has partnered with Lucid.

In an announcement earlier this week, it was revealed that future electric vehicles will utilize electric motors and battery modules from Lucid. Aston Martin’s chairman, Lawrence Stroll, stated that the company has plans to introduce four electric vehicles in the next few years. The first one is expected to be released in 2025 and is likely to be a coupe-styled SUV, although details are scarce.

It is important to note that these upcoming electric vehicles will be in addition to Aston Martin’s current lineup and will not replace existing internal combustion engine models.

Motorsport

Hyundai Ioniq 7 Shows Vertical Lights In New Spy Shots

The Hyundai Concept Seven, showcased at the 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show, is an electric sport utility vehicle that is part of the Ioniq brand. Originally a showcar, it has now moved on to the prototype stage. Recently, a heavily camouflaged test vehicle was spotted in Germany, indicating that Hyundai is progressing with the development of this three-row SUV. It will be related to the Kia EV9 and the upcoming Genesis GV90.

The concept vehicle had an impressive wheelbase of 3.2 meters (126 inches), suggesting that the production model may be slightly larger than the EV9. To put it in perspective, the Kia EV9 has a wheelbase of 3.1 meters (122 inches) and an overall length of 5.01 meters (197.2 inches). The size of the rear doors suggests that the Ioniq 7 will offer a spacious interior with generous legroom, especially considering it is built on a dedicated electric car platform with a flat floor.


Motorsport

Telo MT1: A Compact Electric Truck with Big Capabilities

California-based electric vehicle start-up Telo is taking on the conventional pickup truck with its compact and highly efficient electric truck, the Telo MT1. The Mini Cooper SE-sized electric truck comes with the same practicality of a mid-size truck like the Toyota Tacoma but with a smaller footprint. Priced at around $50,000, the Telo MT1 is claimed to be the world’s most efficient electric truck on the market.

Telo was founded by CEO Jason Marks, an expert in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) who holds LiDAR patents, and CTO Forrest North, who was part of the early team that developed the Tesla Roadster and holds 15 patents in electric vehicle batteries and charging. To create the Telo MT1, the company sought the expertise of designer Yves Behar, who has worked with top brands such as Samsung, L’Oreal, Prada, and Puma, to oversee the design.

The Telo MT1’s key feature is its compact size. It is only 152 inches long, the same as a Mini Cooper SE, 73 inches wide, and 66 inches tall, comparable to the Audi Q4 e-tron. The electric truck utilizes a skateboard chassis design to maximize practicality and eliminates excess spaces. Most of the body and some of the chassis components are made from carbon-fiber-reinforced-plastic (CFRP), making them cheaper to acquire.

The Telo MT1’s electric-powered drivetrain eliminates the need for a long hood, which is an essential design element in traditional pickup trucks. Instead, it comes with a flat front that has a skidplate and a raked windshield. Overall, the Telo MT1 is a game-changing electric truck that provides impressive performance in a compact and efficient package.


Featured

First Spy Shots Of The Mahindra BE.05 Have Surfaced

The camouflaged test mule of the Mahindra BE.05 retains a lot of design elements from its concept version

  • Mahindra debuted the Mahindra BE.05 Concept in August 2022.

  • Smallest offering showcased from Mahindra’s new Born Electric line of models.

  • It will be based on the new INGLO modular platform that can support SUVs of various sizes.

  • It is expected to have a 60kWh battery pack which may offer a WLTP claimed range of over 300km.

  • Mahindra BE.05 could go on sale by the end of 2025.

It seems like the Mahindra BE.05 has already entered its development stage and the first spy shots of the test mule of the same have surfaced on the internet. The BE.05 will be based on Mahindra’s all new INGLO modular platform that can support multiple battery sizes and powertrains. Let’s have a look at the details we saw in these spy shots.

Design Similarities

Though the spied model is under heavy camouflage, it’s evident that it shares a lot of design elements from its concept version. Main highlights are the C-shaped LED DRLs which are a signature detail of the Mahindra Born Electric concepts showcased last year, including the sharp cuts on the hood.

From the side, it appears to be a pre-production version of the BE.05 with different alloy wheels to the concept housed in squared off wheel arches. Unlike the concept that featured camera-style ORVMs, this test mule wears traditional outside rearview mirrors mounted to the A-pillar.

Also Check Out: Mahindra Bolero Neo Plus Engine Output And Variants Info Out

Expected Features

Based on the concept, the Mahindra BE.05 is expected to offer a driver-centric cabin with  premium upholstery. It featured a panoramic integrated screen setup (one for the infotainment and one for the driver), airplane-style handbrake and a squared off steering wheel with the BE logo in the middle. 

Expected Range And Powertrain

The new era of Mahindra BE EVs will share components like battery packs and motors with Volkswagen’s MEB platform. The BE.05 may use a 60kWh battery pack offering a WLTP claimed range of over 300km, which could be around 450km as per Indian testing standards. As per Mahindra, it should support 175kW DC fast charging which can charge the battery from 0-80 percent in 30 minutes.

The INGLO platform is capable of accommodating both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) systems, with outputs of up to 285PS and 394PS respectively. But since the BE.05  is a compact offering, it may get a lower state of tune at around 200PS.

Expected Launch And Rivals

Mahindra BE.05 is expected to be market-ready by the end of 2025, and likely to have a starting price of Rs 24 lakh (ex-showroom) onwards. It will lock horns with the MG ZS EV, and the upcoming Tata Harrier EV and Hyundai Creta EV.

The BE.05 is one of five future EVs Mahindra has showcased so far and won’t be the first of them to launch. It is expected to come out after the all-electric version of the Mahindra XUV700 known as the XUV e8.

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Motorsport

Toyota GR H2 Racing Concept Debuts To Preview Hydrogen Le Mans Race Car

Toyota has been very active lately, revealing a number of interesting concept cars previewing future models and technologies (see the related links below). That activeness comes to its culmination with the GR H2 Racing Concept unveiled today at the Circuit de la Sarthe in western France ahead of this weekend’s 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans. The hydrogen-powered endurance race car concept was revealed by Akio Toyoda, Toyota’s chairman.

The automaker doesn’t release technical specifications for the hydrogen engine prototype, only saying it is 5,100 mm long and 2,050 mm wide. This makes it slightly longer and wider than Toyota’s LMP1-H Le Mans Prototype, which is 4,650 mm long and 1,900 mm wide. The Japanese firm also confirms powering the race car concept is a mix between a hydrogen engine and a hybrid system, but this is literally everything we know about what’s happening under the skin.