An all-new Dodge Viper set to be launched in 2012 was shown at a private Chrysler dealer conference this week.
Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne presented next year’s model offerings from Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Fiat to dealers, before showcasing the new Viper as a ‘surprise’ at the end of the presentation.
Insiders at the event told The Wall Street Journal the next Viper’s design is “aggressive”, featuring all-new bodywork painted 25 times in candy-apple red. Insiders also said the car’s look had moved away from its race-car roots and evolved into a more traditional sports car.
Andrew Frankel blog: Farewell to the Dodge Viper
Dealers at the event were told the Viper’s product team had unanimously approved the design within just five minutes of seeing it.
It is expected to use an 8.4-litre V10 engine incorporating Fiat’s innovative Multiair technology; an entry-level V8 engine is also rumoured to be under consideration.
Dodge is said to be working alongside Ferrari to develop the next Viper.
Ralph Gilles, Dodge CEO, confirmed the launch of the new Viper for 2012 when revealing production of the current car would end this year.
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Re: New Dodge Viper set for 2012
Very good point, Jack.
Away from the racetrack (and the drivers that make their living on them), I suspect that very few "normal" drivers would seriously notice the difference in driving dynamics terms between a European high performance car and a U.S. one on a public highway.
Sure, the interior plastics of the U.S. supercars are a bit low rent (personally, I find this adds to the charm and character).
In real world terms though, the performance and handling of U.S. supercars is every bit the equal of Euro supercars; mechanical reliability of U.S. supercars is every bit the equal of Euro supercars; longevity, engineering robustness and long-term running costs in everyday usage is markedly superior to any Euro supercar I can think of, apart from Porsche (a decades-long honed to perfection design) and Bristol (like Porsche, another engineering-driven company whose cars utilise ultra-reliable Chrysler powerplants).
As you point out, for U.S. supercar manufacturers to achieve this for less bucks is no mean achievement, and one I'd sacrifice the dubious dual privilege of soft-touch plastics and a poncy badge any day of the week.
Re: New Dodge Viper set for 2012
Re: New Dodge Viper set for 2012
To add to jackjflash's comments. A Vette is a pretty sophisticated and able vehicle. I've owned two Vettes in the last 10 years and the quality and reliability has been a match for any European vehicle I've owned (including BMW). The materials can be a bit low-rent sometimes, but they work as daily-drivers and are cheap to run. People seem to see Vettes and Vipers as easy targets, but seem to ignore the almost legendary fragility and unreliability of Ferraris (for example).