Numerous new cars will be unveiled at this year’s New York Auto Show, but we can already reveal the venue’s main attraction: the all-new Dodge Viper. Except it won’t be a Dodge at all.

When it debuts, the Viper will be the flagship model for the new SRT (Street and Racing Technology) brand, which has evolved from being an in-house tuning division to its own entity, headed by Chrysler design boss Ralph Gilles. Other models in the brand include SRT performance versions of the Challenger, Charger, Chrysler 300 and Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Demand for the new American sports car will be significant and so as to reward loyalty Chrysler has decided to limit the few thousand first year units to only Viper owners and members of the Viper owner’s club.

[Source: MSNBC]

Now that it’s confirmed that Dodge is producing the 2013 Viper at its Conner Avenue plant, Chrysler corp decided to shake things up by announcing the new Viper will be known as the “2013 SRT Viper” and not as the “2013 Dodge Viper”.

That’s right, after a brief hiatus of production, Dodge decided to drop its own namesake from the American muscle car. And this isn’t really the first time they’ve attempted such, as Chrysler has made previous efforts to spin off the Viper to its own standalone car brand.

It all makes sense given the notoriety behind the Viper, and Dodge’s focus on looking more economical and fuel efficient for Chrysler to leave the V10 super car of its portfolio. Either way, we don’t think anyone really cares what it’s called so long as it’s still a Viper – the more interesting thing is whether or not Dodge has more SRT models in the work.

The Chrysler Group announced today that they’ll be reopening their Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in Detroit for production on the next-generation Dodge Viper.

The Conner Avenue Assembly Plant has been sitting idle since production on Dodge’s Viper ended back in July of 2010. But with the next generation Viper on the horizon as a 2013 model, Chrysler not only reopens a plant giving much-needed jobs, but America’s ultimate sports car will live on being produced exclusively in Motor City.

Current Chrysler hourly employees who previous worked at Conner will have the first opportunity to return, while the balance of the positions will be filled by hourly employees volunteering to transfer to the Conner plant. Chrysler Group will also begin transforming the Conner plant by integrating World Class Manufacturing (WCM), a system focused on reducing waste and continually making improvements towards quality and productivity.

This coming Sunday, October 9th, a very special event will air on Versus at 3 pm Eastern Time. It’s the Duel in the Desert, a special edition of the Viper Cup race series, where a talented collection of drivers and motorsports heros, from all different forms of the genre, race against each other at Miller Motorsports Park, in Toole, Utah.

The race, actually run back in April, features such legends as Roger Penske, Jeff Gordon, Robbie Gordon, Sam Hubinette, Kurt Busch, Kuno Wittmer, Allen Johnson and Ralph Gilles to name a few.

Each of the 24 drivers competed in identically prepped Dodge Viper ACR-X coupes, and were split into two person teams, with single qualifying lap times from each averaged together in order to determine starting positions on the grid for the race.

Timed for just 50 minutes, the actual event required each team to make a pit stop and change drivers halfway through, making for some very exciting racing.

Besides competing, the celebrity drivers were also racing for a cause, with money donated by the top three finishing teams, to several charities, including the Haiti Rescue Effort, National Breast Cancer Coalition, Shriners Hospital, Tarrant Area Food Bank (Ft. Worth, Texas), Children’s Rare Disease Network and the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

“I can’t say enough about the generosity and mutual respect shown by each and every participant in the ‘Dodge Viper Celebrity Challenge,’ Ralph Gilles, president and CEO of Chrysler’s SRT Group and Dodge Motorsports. “I’m proud to share the same common thread of being racers at heart that can take the time out to not only come together and compete on the same stage, but also raise money for worthy charity causes.”

While some automakers appear intent on taking fun out of the equation, Chrysler group seems is doing the opposite. With a raft of performance vehicles on offer through its Street and Racing Technology (SRT) brand, the company caters to those that still like a good ol’ fashioned dose of American pavement melting horsepower.

With the recent launch of the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, it was perhaps a logical step for sister ship, the Dodge Durango to gain an extra shot of oats. Although there’s been no official confirmation from Chrysler, sources inside the company believe the project is very much a work in progress, slated for a possible 2013 model year release.

Like the Grand Cherokee SRT8, if and when a hot rod version of the Durango does surface, expect it follow in the same vein, being all-wheel drive only and powered by a 392 ci (6.4-liter) Hemi V8, generating around 470 horsepower, along with an adjustable suspension and monster Brembo brakes.

However, some questions remain. The Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 has been criticized for its relatively high sticker price ($54,470); especially considering it debuted amid one of the worst economic slumps in years. If a Durango version was to be offered it would likely be priced at a similar level if not more, which could severely limit the vehicle’s appeal, making it a stillborn proposition. Adding further fuel to the fire is that the R/T model (shown), currently the hottest in the Durango lineup, has so far accounted for just 7 percent of total sales since its introduction back in March.

Ralph Gilles, president of SRT, has gone on the record stating that the brand plans to ‘de-couple’ some of the features on the Grand Cherokee SRT8 in order to make it more price competitive, so if a ‘super’ Durango does indeed make the cut it will likely follow the Jeep’s lead. Stay tuned for further developments.

GALLERY: Dodge Durango RT

[Source: Inside Line]

September is almost upon us, which means, for motorsports fans, that it’s time for the annual Targa Newfoundland. This year, Chrysler has announced that it will be fielding a three-car team for the event, comprising of a single Dodge Viper SRT-10 and two Challenger SRT-8s.

The Viper will be driven by Chrysler’s SRT brand chief and Head of Product Design Ralph Gilles (who is running the event for the fourth time); partnering him will be Jen Horsey, another Targa veteran. One of the Challengers, in fact the very same one that Gilles drove at the event in 2008, will be piloted by dentist, experienced road racer and long time Targa competitor Dr. Robert Pacione. His long-standing co-driver Brian Maxwell, will join him in the passenger seat.

The third car, another Challenger  will be driven by Los Angeles based journalist George ‘Motoman’ Notaras, with co-driver Nick Chambers riding shotgun.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of this 1200 mile plus road rally, considered to be one of the most grueling motorsports events in North America and the Dodge/SRT triumvirate, is the largest single manufacturer sanctioned entry.

The primary object for the team this year, besides competing, is to raise money for individuals and families affected by Autism, with proceeds to be donated to the Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador.

“My adrenaline is pumping about this year’s Targa rally,” said Gilles in a recent statement. “I can’t wait for our team to take these three SRT products to the streets and drive them the way they were intended to be driven. Not only do our SRT products look great, but they are reliable and proven both on the pavement and on the track.”

The 10th annual Targa Newfoundland runs from September 10th to September 17th, starting and ending in the provincial capital, St. John’s.

Chrysler head of design, CEO of motorsports and rad dude Ralph Gilles recently talked about the future of SRT and the next Dodge Viper, as well as confirming this: there will be no new Dodge Magnum.

Appearing on Fox Car Report, Gilles noted the popularity of the fast wagon and mentioned that he misses it; despite that, there’s no plan to revive it. Those looking to haul on both ends can get a Caravan “Man Van,” which was designed with heavy input from Chrysler’s European division.

As for the hairy-chested Viper, it will feature cruise control as well as some real Big Gulp holders—surely, to the ire of the car enthusiast “purists.” “Cruise control and cupholders have been the longest argument for about 17 years on the Viper,” said Gilles, but according to customers, including the two in the next Viper “might not be a bad idea.” With throttle-by-wire, adding cruise control would be an easy task.

The Viper is one of the most profitable arms of the Chrysler juggernaut, and SRT has been raking in dough by commanding a higher premium towards enthusiasts. SRT is looking to get into sports car and road course racing, especially with the Challenger and the Viper. And if they do, the purists can bet those two won’t have cruise control or cup holders.

[Source: Fox Car Report]

With the recent launch of several big and powerful SRT models, including the Chrysler 300 and Jeep Grand Cherokee, high-performance boss Ralph Gilles is now looking down-market.

In an interview with Automobile Magazine the new head of the SRT division and an avid car-nut, Gilles admitted that while he loved the Dodge Neon SRT4, when it came to the Caliber version, perhaps the brand “over reached.”

However, “I’m a big believer in high-horsepower, small displacement cars,” he admits, “so I’d love to do another.”

Interest alone won’t get a car built though, but having the right tools at your disposal will. “We have some great [small car] platforms finally,” said Gilles, referring to the upcoming Caliber replacement which is expected to debut at the Detroit Auto Show next January.

When pushed further Gilles commented that a high-performance compact car is being investigated. “I definitely think we need an entry-level performance vehicle at some point,” he said.

With the Caliber’s replacement not due until early 2012, look for an SRT version to bow, at the earliest, a year after that.

[Source Automobile]

It looks as though Chrysler may resurrect the Dodge Magnum. The station wagon was one of several vehicles that got axed during the dark days of Chrysler’s bankruptcy and reorganization in 2008 and 2009.

“That vehicle was single-handedly killed by one executive who is no longer with the company. He’s retired. A lot of people in the company still like that vehicle — a lot,” said Ralph Gilles, the Chrysler design chief who helped style the Magnum. “A lot of things that weren’t possible back then, now are.”

Mr. Gilles also sees the potential for the new Dodge Viper as a likely choice for an SRT version. “Also, we know we need an entry-level vehicle of some kind.”

“With the Magnum, we owned the station wagon segment,” Mr. Gilles said. “It was always a pleasure to go to car shows and trade fairs and see the number of Magnums that owners had personalized with such obvious loving care.” When asked if a sketch for a next-generation Magnum might be found in one of his sketch pad, Mr. Gilles just smile. “Stay tuned,” he said. “Great things are coming. That’s all I can say.”

[Source: Wheels]