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Street illegal
THE Dodge Tomahawk motorcycle is a four-wheel, single-passenger sleek, rolling sculpture that combines art-deco styling with extreme engineering.
THE world’s fastest motorbike cannot be driven on public roads because the monster has not been granted permission for public use. Still, there are nine of these in private hands. The proud owners paid $ 555,000 each to be able to drive this beast on public roads.
| This bike is the Dodge Tomahawk, a prototype with an unusual design featuring the 500 hp (373 kW) 8.3 L V10 engine from the Dodge Viper. Unusually shaped, the motorcycle has two front wheels and two rear wheels to aid in turning and stability at highest rate of speed.Officially designated a ‘rolling sculpture’ by its maker Chrysler the Dodge Tomahawk can reach 96.5 km an hour in about 2.5 seconds, and has a theoretical top speed of nearly 650 kmph. Dodge has expressed interest in one day taking it to the Bonneville Salt Flats (where the fastest vehicles race to set speed records) for a speed test, but as of yet has not. |
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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 initial reaction to the vehicle typically comes in one word: “Wow!”
“The Dodge brand philosophy always challenges us to grab life by the horns,” said Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President of Design at the Chrysler Group when the concept vehicle was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in 2003.
“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,” he added.
The weirdest thing about the bike is the fact that it has four wheels, two in the front and two in the back, closely packed, which make it look like it rolled out the set of a sci-fi movie. Each pair of wheels is separated by a few inches and each wheel has an independent suspension.
The four wheels were necessary to handle the power from the huge engine that gives out 500 bhp at 5600 rpm and a huge 525 lb.-ft of torque. The V10 has a 505 cubic inches (8277 cc) displacement and is liquid-cooled, with a maximum speed of 6000 rpm.
“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.”
Indeed, the Dodge Tomahawk is a Chrysler Group design concept that is as much a work of art as it is a completely 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,” said Creed.
The Dodge Tomahawk is a true monster, deeper and more rumbling than most motorcycles, that can only drink 93 octane unleaded premium gasoline. Although most mortals will never experience driving such a monster, it is most definitely the ultimate pumped-out ride.
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TOMAHAWK FACT FILE
| Body Style Single-seat Viper-powered motorcycle concept vehicle Overall Length: 102 inches Overall Width: 27.7 inches Overall Height: 36.9 inches Wheelbase: 76 inches Ground Clearance: 3 inches Fuel Tank Capacity: 3.25 gallons |
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Engine
8.3-Litre, OHV, 20-Valve SMPI V-10
Type and Description: 10-cylinder 90-degree
V-type, liquid-cooled
Displacement: 505 cubic inches (8277 cc)
Construction: 356-T6 aluminium alloy block with
cast-iron liners, aluminium alloy cylinder heads
Compression Ratio: 9.6:1
Power (SAE net): 500 bhp (372 kW)
@ 5600 rpm (60.4 bhp/litre)
Torque (SAE net): 525 lb.-ft. (712 Nom)
@ 4200 rpm
Max Engine Speed: 6000 rpm
Fuel Requirement: Unleaded premium,
93 octane (R+M/2)
Cooling System: Twin aluminium radiators
mounted atop engine intake manifolds,
force-fed from front-mounted, belt-driven
turbine fan
Coolant Capacity: 10.5 l
Exhaust System: Equal-length tubular stainless
steel headers with dual collectors and central
rear outlets
Electrical System
Alternator: 136-amp high-speed
Battery: Leak-resistant, maintenance-free
600 CCA
Transmission
Manual, foot-shifted two-speed
Type: Aluminium-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 aluminium
Suspension
Front: Outboard, single-sided parallel upper
and lower control arms made from polished
billet aluminium. Mounted via ball joint to
aluminium steering uprights and hubs
Steering
Type: Dual hub centre type.
Steering Linkage: Rocker arm and push/pull
rod with roller bearings. Polished billet
aluminium steering yoke with turned aluminium
grips and billet levers
Tyres (4)
Mfr. and Model: Dunlop custom-made
symmetrical
Size, Front (2): P120/60R-20
Size, Rear (2): P150/50R-20
Brakes
Front: 20-inch perimeter-mounted drilled
machined stainless steel rotors, one per wheel
Blue anodised calliper finish. Hand-activated
Rear: 20-inch perimeter-mounted drilled
cast-iron rotors, one per wheel. Foot-activated
Performance
0-96.5 kmph: 2.5 seconds (est.)
Top Speed: 500+ mph (est.) (No one has
ridden the Tomahawk at high speed).
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Courtesy - BTW Magazine
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