Dodge Viper: Dead or Alive?
Chrysler announces production of the final edition Dodge Viper.
The Chrysler Group LLC has announced plans to build 50 “final edition” 2010 Dodge Viper SRT10 models before shutting down production for good on this iconic sportscar. Of course, when you dig a bit deeper you learn that these final edition models will be for the current generation Viper, suggesting that an all new Viper is waiting in the wings.
Or is it?
Talk of ending the Viper line has been going on for years with Chrysler even in discussions with other makers to purchase the Viper brand. In May 2009, The Auto Writer reported that Devon Motorworks offered Chrysler just $5.5 million to take the Viper off of their hands, well below the dirt cheap $10 million asking price. Chrysler turned down the offer and once the company cleared bankruptcy and was firmly under the Fiat Group’s control, the Viper was removed from the auction block.
Last Call
By early summer, Chrysler will begin production of the final 50 models, customized cars featuring a graphite clear coat body. Each Viper will feature a black center stripe traced in red and have special side sill badging. The windshields will also be blackened as will the interior, the latter offset by red accent stitching. Yes, numbered dash plaques (1-50) will also be included.
Dodge will break down the final 50 Vipers into three groups: 20 coupes, 18 roadster and 12 American Club Racer models.
Project Lutz
Bob Lutz, the former president of Chrysler was the man behind the creation of the Dodge Viper, believing that the Dodge brand desperately needed a halo model to set itself apart from Chrysler and Plymouth. That first Viper, released for the 1992 model year, was powered by an 8.0L V10 engine paired with a six-speed manual transmission.
The first Vipers achieved 400 horsepower and 465 lb.-ft of torque. Today’s model features an 8.3L V10 paired with a Tremec TR6060 six-speed transmission. Horsepower had been increased to 600 and torque is at 560 lb.-ft. Zero to sixty time is 3.5 seconds.
Up Next?
Will an all new Viper follow? Well, we won’t see one for the 2011 model year, but Chrysler is hinting that a 2012 Viper or something like it will be made available. Given that Fiat, owner of Ferrari and Maserati has the in-house tools to build such a vehicle, I expect we’ll see something sold that will advance the Viper mystique if not the name.
Let’s hope that it isn’t a warmed over Fiat!
Photo: Chrysler Group LLC
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