Would you pay $14,500 to get it?
Name: Dodge Razor
First Debut:2002 North American International Auto Show
Specifics: turbocharged, 2.4-liter engine producing 250 horsepower, rear-wheel drive. Six-speed manual gearbox. 2,500-pounds.Why It Matters Now:
It would have been a fun sports car, without spending a lot of money.
The Razor concept, which was developed during the defunct DaimlerChrysler era of Dodge, was a joint effort by Razor and Dodge to create a small two seater that would have been a huge boost for Dodge’s lineup. Unfortunately, the rear-wheel drive coupe in orange slice was never produced. According to a press release, it was priced at $14,500 and targeted young driving enthusiasts.
Dodge used many parts from other manufacturers to lower the price so that a road-going version would not have required huge R&D expenses. The engine was a turbocharged, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 250 horsepower (187 kilowatts), and 230 pound feet (312 Newton-meters). This torque was channeled to the rear axle via a six-speed manual transmission designed by Mercedes.
It was very lightweight and had a lot of power. Initial specs showed that the Razor weighed in at 2,500 pounds (1.134 kilograms) according to preliminary specifications. Combining high power and low weight, the Razor was able to sprint from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in just six seconds. It can also reach 140 mph (225 km/h).
The design was clearly designed by Dodge and Razor with the younger crowd in their minds. The design was inspired by European sports cars from the 1960s. They decided to use a minimalistic approach for the interior and exterior. The concept did not have power windows or mirrors and neither did it have radios or electrically adjustable power chairs. Dodge was able to keep its weight down by removing these features.
Did it happen by accident that the concept did not make it to the assembly line or was it an error? Probably.