Future Charger Information from Dodge
What Is It?
Dodge Sling Shot Concept
What's Special About It?
In an era where 300 horsepower is not big deal, Dodge builds a concept that shows you don't need crushing power to have fun. The styling of the Sling Shot is decidedly mechanical, with even the instrument pods resembling the gears and belts of a motorcycle engine. A center-mounted exhaust outlet with three holes hints at the power source, a diminutive three-cylinder engine that makes but 100 ponies. Dodge claims that the lightweight Sling Shot still manages to run to 60 mph in around 10 seconds. Sports carlike handling would also be part of the deal, says Dodge, thanks to the coupe's four-wheel independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes.
Equally enticing is the prospect of top-down thrills in this budget coupe: The main roof panel and passenger compartment side rails can be stowed in the trunk, while a secondary canvas roof panel slides out of the way like the cover of a rolltop desk. So done, the hypothetical owner will find himself at the wheel of a quasiconvertible (not unlike Honda's mid-1990s Civic del Sol). If produced, the Sling Shot would be aimed at young hipsters, with an affordable price and fuel economy that could take them up to 45 miles to the gallon.
What's Edmunds' Take?
Chrysler and Dodge have a history of taking concepts to market without diluting their character, and the Sling Shot's mechanicals are pulled entirely from the existing DaimlerChrysler parts bin — making it all the more feasible for production. If this happens, the Sling Shot should make for a fun, stylish and penny-pinching commuter car. — John DiPietro and Erin Riches
