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In a world of bland trucks, Dodge Rams are known for redefining the full-size pickup market with ground breaking designs. Today, Dodge unveils a ground shaking design with the boldest, baddest and fastest full-size pickup, the new Viper-powered Dodge Ram SRT-10 show truck. A production version of this show truck will appear at a later date.
Just as the all-new 2002 Dodge Ram-and the previous generation Ram introduced in 1994-added a much needed dose of style to the full-size pickup truck market, the Ram SRT-10 brings a massive dose of Viper power with a class-demolishing 500 horsepower and 500 lb.-ft. of torque.
Filling the engine-bay of the Ram SRT-10 is the largest engine in a factory pickup truck - the 8.3-liter V-10 that powers America's ultimate sports car, the all-new 2003 Dodge Viper. The V-10's horsepower rating easily surpasses any other pickup - not to mention virtually every production sports car on the road.
"In the sport truck segment, we might be accused of stacking the deck against the competition," said Wolfgang Bernhard, Chief Operating Officer, Chrysler Group. "But why not when you have ten aces up your sleeve? We set out to create the boldest, baddest and fastest pickup truck ever, and that is exactly what we have done."
A sprint to 60 miles per hour in less than six seconds, top speed greater than 140 miles per hour, a six-speed manual transmission, rear-wheel drive and an engine displacement of 2.4 liters. These specifications can only mean one thing -- less weight, more fun. Unveiled at the 2002 Auto Show in Detroit, the Dodge Razor™ concept car embodies the purest of sports coupe design: aspirational, emotional and inspirational. Through efficient design, Dodge Razor cuts right to what is vital for enhanced driving pleasure.
"Dodge Razor has a simple shape with every line offering an abundance of emotion and purpose," said Akino Tsuchiya, who developed the exterior with Kevin Verduyn. "Razor's dramatic proportions scream 'I'm bold, I'm powerful, I'm Dodge'. The in-your-face 'Orange Slice' body color reflects the same attitude." Adds Verduyn: "Working off an all-new platform, we could create extreme proportions. The long hood, high sills, wide body, narrow greenhouse and low center of gravity all indicate secure, protective performance."
To keep the Dodge Razor affordable should it ever reach production, many 'off-the-shelf' corporate suspension and underbody components were used. While the six-speed manual transmission was developed in Stuttgart, Germany, the engine is an upgraded version of Chrysler Group's 2.4-liter inline DOHC four-cylinder, now with a turbocharger and intercooler. The engine develops 250 bhp. (187 kW) and 230 lb.-ft. (312 Nm). Aimed at young driving enthusiasts, the Razor concept was designed with a targeted sticker price of US $ 14,500.
True to minimalist form, Dodge Razor's only ornamentations are the chrome bumpers, the racing-style billet-aluminum gas cap, the classic door handles and mirrors and the jewel-like lamp design. "This project really is about the power of purpose and purity," said Verduyn.
The same holds true for the interior. It offers the necessities for driving, nothing more. No power windows or mirrors, no radio or leather power seats, no frills whatsoever. Dodge Razor offers its two occupants lightweight, competition-style seats, four-point racing harnesses, storage behind their seats and the pure joy of driving. "Razor's interior is like a clean canvas. Our vision is that you would be able to get additional features through MOPAR to paint your ideal driving setting," said interior designer Chris Schuttera.
The Dodge Razor's instrument cluster has an integrated tachometer/speedometer with analog reading of the revs and a digital read-out of the speed. This compact unit is flanked by easy-to-read gauges for temperature/oil pressure and fuel/battery. The interior is finished in body color and extruded aluminum. "We feel passionate about keeping it simple and honest," said interior designer John Sodano. "Razor has a focused driver's interior, enhancing the experience of raw power as only a sports car can."
Packaged with the most necessary performance tools and functions, including two orange Razor scooters, and providing customers the opportunity to make its interior entirely their own, Dodge Razor offers driving excitement to go.
The world gets to see the future of compact pickup trucks at the 2002 Auto Show as the bold, versatile and affordable Dodge M80 concept takes the stage in Detroit. With its 'just-right' size, 'surf-to-snow' capability and authentic 'job-rated' Dodge Truck power, the M80 will exceed the needs of tomorrow's compact pick-up truck customer.
The Dodge M80 is a small, affordable truck with a design loaded with character and intrinsic value. Minimalist, new, neat design details are abundant as stand-out design elements include the satin-stainless steel-look signature Dodge-crosshair grille and headlamp surrounds, classic round lamps and the metallic slate-gray, molded-in-color PET-plastic fenders and bumpers with integrated tow-hooks.
In profile, M80 offers simple, chiseled lines enhanced by the fender vent vanes, push-button door handles, integrated PET-plastic side-storage lockers, dual spin-off fuel-filler caps in satin-stainless steel-look and stamped-steel 20" wheels and 265/50R20 Goodyear tires. The useful five-foot bed is protected by a durable PET-plastic liner and bulkhead and incorporates myriad tie-down cleats compatible with MOPAR bike-, ski- and surfboard racks. The tailgate features 'stamped-through' lettering for the Dodge and 4x4 emblems. Oversized, performance-tuned dual exhaust pipes and jewel-like round tail lamps complete the exterior highlights.
The back of the cab features a full-width flipper-glass. Adds Opfer: "It not only has a clean, modern design, but it is truly functional. You can easily get to your gear in the back, and if the bed is not long enough, you can open the flipper-glass and add the cabin to your load-length."
Dodge M80's interior was designed by Jeff Gale, who expanded upon John Opfer's mission of finding practical solutions for difficult design dilemmas. "This concept asked for a no-frills, rugged and durable interior," said Gale. "And, it should offer unexpected and youthful features."
Gale said that is why there is an abundance of Detonator Yellow body-color sheet-metal panels on the inside of M80, enhanced by satin-silver hard-plastic covers and water-repelling Neoprene-look seat-trim. The center console doubles as a portable cooler while the lightweight seats can be removed and used outdoors. Behind the fold-flat seats is a vehicle-wide bin for wet-goods such as shoes, umbrella or a snowboard. The instrument panel features a large storage drawer.
The driver is kept informed by simple, easily understood, back-lit satellite gauges, offering just basic information. The speedometer and tachometer are co-axial, using one set of numbers for speed and revs (x100). Large rotary knobs operate the audio and heating systems, while classic 'ball-and-socket'-style vents direct the airflow in the interior. M80's performance image is accentuated by billet-aluminum foot pedals.
Los Angeles - What was sweet from the street is now even sweeter on it, as the Chrysler Group announces today it will build a production version of its 2000 Neon SRT concept car.
Based on the concept vehicle first introduced two years ago at the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show, the 2003 Dodge SRT-4 combines performance with sweet features inspired by the street racing scene. The result is a vehicle that accelerates from 0-60 mph in 5.9-seconds straight out of the factory, making it the quickest car in the Dodge lineup, second only to the Dodge Viper SRT-10.
As the quickest production car available in the United States priced under $20,000, SRT-4 revolutionizes the compact car market filled with young speed racers looking to trick out their vehicles with performance and looks.
"You have to give customers the chance to really go for the extreme," explained Larry Lyons, Vice President-Small Vehicle Product Team Engineering. "Dodge SRT-4 grants them that opportunity. It gives them the ability to earn respect and be accepted on the streets with a car that stands on its own merit."