2012 Dodge Viper Looks Like the Alfa Romeo 8C
The biggest news out of Chrysler this week wasn’t Sergio Marchionne’s plan for an IPO in 2011, but the secret showing of a next generation Dodge Viper. Unveiled at the first Chrysler dealer meeting in three years, Chrysler made sure the press didn’t get a look at its new supercar. But according to one observer, the vehicle shown bears a resemblance to the stunningly beautiful Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione – a rare Alfa that shares its platform with the Maserati Gran Turismo and Ferrari California. With swoopy Italian lines, the car does, however, retain the aggressive Viper front fascia.
According to AutoWeek, Marchionne is motivated to bring back the Viper through pure enthusiasm for the car, with little thought to the financial situation. According to their source, he told dealers that, “There are times when you are given the opportunity to give life to something which is so beautiful and unique, so just and equitable, that you pay a lot less attention to the numbers, to the financial reality that surrounds it. They happen only rarely. In my case, three times in more than 15 years as chief executive.”
Marchionne went on to comment that he repeatedly spoke with Dodge CEO Ralf Gilles but could never make a financial case for the Viper. Then, one day, he was shown the prototype and it look “less than five minutes” for those in charge of making the product planning decisions to give it the green light.
Set to hit dealers in 2012, we should see a new Viper as early as next year. There’s still no official word on the powerplant, but it’s expected a direct-injection version of the 8.4-liter V10 will be offered with close to 700-hp, while a V8 is rumored to be under consideration.
[Source: AutoWeek]
With AutoGuide from its launch, Colum previously acted as Editor-in-Chief of Modified Luxury & Exotics magazine where he became a certifiable car snob driving supercars like the Koenigsegg CCX and racing down the autobahn in anything over 500 hp. He has won numerous automotive journalism awards including the Best Video Journalism Award in 2014 and 2015 from the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). Colum founded Geared Content Studios, VerticalScope's in-house branded content division and works to find ways to integrate brands organically into content.
More by Colum Wood
Comments
Join the conversation
This is the best news I could dream of. The Alfa Romeo 8c is gorgeous. It's just a little underpowered for my taste. Blend in the traditional Viper front styling scheme and I am sold. Assuming it has the handling prowess and low end grunt and power of the gen4 Viperand is under $120K I will order one. At least 650hp will be required for my satisfaction. American/Italian ingenuity melded together to produce the future Viper. It does't get any better than this.
If there is a god, He wouldn't let the Viper die. Lets see if the Italians know anything about torque?