Flash.

Tomahawk talk

One of the hits of the Detroit auto show, the Viper-powered Dodge Tomahawk motorcycle, may have more of a life than just as an auto show concept, according to DaimlerChrysler chief operating officer Wolfgang Bernhard. At the recent Automotive News World Congress, Bernhard hinted that while no decision has been made whether to produce Tomahawk, at least one more working model could be built. ``It would be great to drive one down Woodward Avenue,'' Bernhard said, referring to the annual Woodward Dream Cruise, Detroit's August celebration of classic cars and horsepower.

The concept was a working model fitted with everything-brakes, radiators, fuel tanks and four-wheel independent suspension-needed to make the 500-hp, 8.3-liter V10 rocket doable.

Solstice rising?

Pontiac has yet to get the go-ahead to build the Solstice roadster that won AutoWeek's Best in Show award at the 2002 Detroit auto show, but it's not for lack of trying. Pontiac officials have been busy seeking to build a solid business case for the car, and they say at this point ``things look good,'' but nothing is final.

GM group vice president John Smith reportedly said the corporation ``has every intention of bringing [Solstice] to market, and bringing it to market to make a buck.''

It remains unclear whether that plan includes building the production car on the same Delta platform as the 240-hp, supercharged 2.2-liter four-cylinder concept.