2004 Dodge Sling Shot Concept

The Dodge Sling Shot Concept from 2004 was designed for maximum fun and function. A light and speedy two-seat sports car, the Sling Shot combined a removable top with a three-cylinder engine that could squeeze 45 mpg highway.

Engineered from the ground up as a driver’s car, the Sling Shot employed a five-speed manual gearbox, four-wheel independent suspension, quick-ratio rack-and-pinion steering, and four-wheel disc brakes. The rear-mounted transverse engine developed 100 horsepower, shooting the Sling Shot from 0 to 50 mph in less than 10 seconds.

Inside, the cabin used machine-look metallic finishes and controls styled like engine parts to create a purposeful look and feel, evoking the powerful Dodge muscle cars of the ‘60s. For open-air motoring, the roof panel and side rails could be removed and stored in one of two available storage compartments.

“Sling Shot is a dynamic, creative look at the never-ending quest to offer visually exciting design, structural integrity, operating efficiency and the all–important fun-to-drive quotient in an affordable, entry level sports car,” said Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President, Chrysler Group Design, as he unveiled the concept vehicle at the 2004 North American International Auto Show.

The Sling Shot never went into production. But what do you think Dodge fans?  With its sporty handling, removable top and impressive fuel economy, would you like to see an updated 2013 version of the Sling Shot today?

 Article and image courtesy of Dodge Redline.