Dodge Tomahawk

The Dodge Tomahawk is a Viper V-10 based motorcycle, a 500 horsepower engine with four wheels beneath it.

Chrysler sold the original Tomahawk concept and nine replicas for up to $555,000 (R3,441,000) each. The motorcycles cannot be licensed (says who?), so they cannot be legally driven on public roads (maybe they can in South Africa). A Chrysler spokesman told Redline they were meant as rolling sculptures (works of art).

Rumors had the Tomahawk selling for under $200,000 (R1,240,000), most likely at a loss or breakeven price, for publicity purposes - but still fully drivable. Wolfgang Bernhard, Chrysler's not particularly respected first mate, was said to be enthusiastic about that project, so much so that hundreds were projected to be built at under $200,000 each. They reportedly cost Chrysler over $100,000 (R620,000) to build (admittedly the work is outsourced). This (and the skill required to test drive one) makes a review of the Tomahawk difficult (put me on one and I'll show them how it's done - Kenn).

The Dodge Tomahawk can reach 100 kph in about 2.5 seconds, and has a theoretical top speed of nearly 640 kph. Each pair of wheels is separated by a few inches and each wheel has an independent suspension. Bernhard said four wheels were necessary to handle the power from the engine.

The Tomahawk remains on display at auto shows - though well out of reach of the general public, elevated on a special display.

ENGINE:

500 bhp (372 kW) @ 5600 rpm (60.4 bhp/liter) Torque: 712 Nm @ 4200 rpm

8277 cc, 90-degree V10 , liquid-cooled

356-T6 aluminum alloy block with cast-iron liners, aluminum alloy cylinder heads

Bore x Stroke: 102.4 x 100.6 mm

Two pushrod-actuated overhead valves per cylinder with roller-type hydraulic lifters

Sequential, multi-port electronic fuel injection with individual runners

Compression Ratio: 9.6:1

Max Engine Speed: 6000 rpm

Fuel Requirement: Unleaded premium, 93 octane

Oil System: Dry Sump; takes 8 quarts Mobil1 10W30 Synthetic

Cooling System: Twin aluminum radiators mounted atop engine intake manifolds, force-fed from front-mounted, belt-driven turbine fan. Takes 11 quarts of antifreeze.

Exhaust System: Equal-length tubular stainless steel headers with dual collectors and central rear outlets

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

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:

0-100 kph: 2.5 seconds (est.)
Top Speed: 300+ mph (est.) (over 485 kph)

DIMENSIONS:

Length: 102 inches (2590 mm)
Width: 27.7 inches (704 mm)
Height: 36.9 inches (938 mm)
Wheelbase: 76 inches (1930 mm)
Seat Height: 29 inches (737 mm)
Weight: 1,500 lbs. (682 kg)
Track, Front: 8.75 in
Track, Rear: 10 in
Weight Dist: 49F/51R
Ground Clearance: 3 in (75 mm)
Fuel: 3.25 gallons (15 liters)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:

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

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:

Longitudinal, centrally mounted engine, rear-wheel drive layout; monocoque construction, engine is central, stressed member. Body of billet aluminum.

STEERING:

Dual hub center type steering.
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

TYRES and WHEELS (4):

Type and Material: Billet aluminum discs, asymmetrical
Size, Front (2): 20x4
Size, Rear (2): 20x5

Tyres Manufacturer and Model: Dunlop custom-made symmetrical
Size, Front (2): P120/60R-20
Size, Rear (2): P150/50R-20