Dodge Viper Will Return in 2012 Says Dodge Brand CEO
Dodge brand CEO Ralf Gilles has confirmed that the Viper will return in 2012 as a 2013 model year car.
Dodge recently ceased production of its halo sports car, while continuing on with certain development aspects, eventually showing a concept car to dealers at a recent national dealer meeting.
Gilles commented that the new Viper, “is not based on anything else,” and that, “There won’t be a part of the car that’s untouched.” That being said, the new Viper may do away with the previous model’s 6.4-liter V10 engine.
Gilles didn’t rule out the use of an engine from it’s new parent company Fiat, which owns Ferrari, but said the next Viper won’t just borrow a powerplant. He did say that the long hood with the cabin near the rear of the car would change.
Previous reports had suggested the car would just be a version of the Alfa Romeo 8C (itself based on the same chassis as the Ferrari California and Maserati GranTurismo), and while there will be some similarities, the proportions will be different.
The goal, says Gilles, will be to make the Dodge brand’s new halo model more accessible. That being said, it will be easier to drive and more forgiving – including having, for the first time, stability control.
[Source: The Detroit News]
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
I owned a lot of cars during my life and, even my heart was always beating for classical US "Big Block" cars, I bought always european cars, like Ferrari, Audi, AMG, e.g. since... yeah since I bought my first Viper SRT 10 RSI twin turbo! To make it short... there is nothing available on the road, giving me the same emotional feeling like this car. - other, more economic cars? for sure!!! - faster cars (one round on a racetrack)? yes, maybe!!! - cheaper cars? for sure!!! - more exclusive cars? yes!!! - "better" cars? yes, depends on what you`re looking!!! But no other car giving you such an emotional feeling like the VIPER! No other car gave me this feeling of "endless" power and I know what I`m talking about, because I`m allowed to drive it without any speedlimit here in Germany. And believe me... I enjoy every mile on the road!!! Vipers are not for everyone to drive (like Harleys are not for everyone to ride!)!!! You simply LOVE IT, or you don`t!!! Personally I can say it`s awful, insentient and mad... but I will never ever sell it because I simply love the raw simplicity, power and masculine beauty of this car!!!
I have owned a Ferrari 308 GTSI since '84, a four speed 69 Roadrunner since '95, a '71 Cuda since '99, a black 68 Charger with custom 6 pack hood, and last year, I bought a black 2008 ACR Viper. All the cars in my stable are different and unique, and all are in your face getting massive attention. The ACR, after headers and exhaust upgrades and a racing ECM is the most powerful of my cars. I am active in the local Lamborghini and Ferrari clubs and participate in many Arizona runs. The ACR, although less expensive than most, not only keeps up, but kicks ass dominating the front of the pack every run. Down deep, all the guys in the Eura-car clubs respect an all-out American car built by UAW workers that reminds them of the muscle car glory days and their roots. Detroit is not dead...it took one last swing and hit it out of the park!