It might not have a V8, but it doesn’t need one; the rear wheel drive Dodge Razor hits 60 mph in under six seconds, goes faster than 140 miles per hour, and has a six-speed manual. The 2.4 liter turbo engine, also used in the Neon SRT-4 – which is equally fast – motorvates this new concept car, but probably will not make it into the production version, if there is one. Instead, the similarly powered turbocharged 2.4 liter world engine would be used.

To keep the Dodge Razor affordable should it ever reach production, many ‘off-the-shelf’ corporate suspension and underbody components were used. Germany is of course supplying the six-speed manual, but the engine is Chrysler’s own, with an intercooled turbo and 250 horsepower (230 lb-ft of torque).

The targeted price was an amazing $14,500 when introduced in 2004. With inflation, that would most likely end up as $20,000 by 2008.

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.

dodge razor conceptLike the Road Runner – a moniker which we can only hope will be applied to the production version – the Razor 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 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.

The Razor was styled/designed by Akino Tsuchiya, Kevin R. Verduyn, and Thomas G. Tremont.

The Razor may well be related to the Dodge Scooter; a picture of a small, low-slung vehicle by that name was shown recently. The most likely current incarnation is the Dodge Demon.

Dodge Razor concept specifications

Engine: 2.4-liter I-4 turbocharged w/intercooler
Estimated Power: 250 bhp. (187 kW)
Estimated Torque: 230 lb.-ft. (312 Nm)
Transmission: Six-speed manual transmission
Drive: Rear-wheel drive
Structure: Lightweight steel unibody
Front suspension: Independent MacPherson setup
Rear suspension: Multi-link independent with coil-over-shock setup
razorFront wheels: 19″ x 7″
Rear wheels: 20″ x 7″
Length: 147.8 in. (3754 mm)
Width: 68.8 in. (1748 mm)
Height: 47.8 in. (1214 mm)
Wheelbase: 98 in. (2489 mm)
Track: Front: 58 in. (1473 mm)
Track: Rear: 60 in. (1524 mm)
Front Overhang: 27.3 in. (693 mm)
Rear Overhang: 22.4 in. (569 mm)
Est. Weight: 2500 lbs. (1134 kg)
0-60 mph. (0-96 km/h): estimated at 6 sec.
Estimated Top Speed: 140 mph. (225 km/h)