The Dodge Viper had four long generations spanning from 1992-2010. There were actually no 2010 models, only extended 2009 models, and 2011 saw zero production Vipers at all. Dodge is planning on picking up the Viper once again in 2012 with a fresh look and feel.
The Viper came in two different trims: the SRT10 and the ACR. The 8.4L V10 powered Viper delivered 600 HP and 560 lb-ft of torque, and was mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The 0-60mph sprint was done in fewer than four seconds, while the quarter mile came in at 11 seconds. Careful with this one though, it doesn’t come with electronic stability control.
A few days ago, Chrysler created an official Facebook page for their upcoming SRT Viper and promised that if the page received 10,000 likes by February 1st, they would reveal a teaser image of the next Viper. As expected, the page had received 10,000 likes in just a few hours and now Chrysler has kept their promise. This first teaser image isn’t much, but at least it allows us an idea of how cool the new Viper will be.
As many already know, the future supercar will drop the "Dodge" name and will instead be simply called the SRT Viper. It has been rumored that the next generation Viper will keep its V10 engine, but unlike the previous generation, will use an 8.7 liter displacement instead. Output is believed to be in the 700 HP area.
The new SRT Viper will be making its world debut at the 2012 New York Auto Show in April. Stay tuned for more details!
The last model for the current generation Dodge Viper has already rolled off the assembly line, but instead of crying about it, we can take comfort in knowing that the next generation has already been confirmed for production. News of this came when the future sports car was shown at a private Chrysler dealer conference and then confirmed by Dodge CEO Ralph Gilles.
Insiders at the event said that the next Viper will come with a more aggressive design, featuring all-new bodywork painted 25 times in candy-apple red. They also said the car’s look had moved away from its race-car roots and evolved into a more traditional sports car.
More information was provided for the new Viper at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show when Ralph Gilles, head of Chrysler’s design, took the mic. When discussing the new Viper, he said that Dodge wants to "make it a renaissance of that vehicle," in order to attract buyers younger than 45. He also denied that the new sports car will use engines from Fiat’s Ferrari brand. That’s nice, but he failed to mention where the Viper’s power will come from.
Guess we’ll just have to be patient. We should be seeing the next Dodge Viper in 2012, pegged as a 2013 model, just in time for the next "Super Car Olympics." We can’t wait!
UPDATE 11/18/2011: During an interview at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show, Dodge boss Reid Bigland said that the next generation Viper will attract a wider range of buyers. "It was a little crude in the past, and to a certain extent that was its appeal because you really needed to have your wits about you when you got behind the wheel to keep that thing on the road. And that thrill of driving a Viper was kind of unlike any other," Bigland says. "I think it still will be a thrilling ride with respect to the new one but offer a few more creature comforts that people come to expect in a high-performance vehicle today." The car is expected to be revealed in 2012, but not at the Detroit Auto Show. (Automotive News)
UPDATE 12/01/2011: SRT President and CEO, Ralph Gilles, has announced that the 2013 Dodge Viper will be revealed at the New York Auto Show in April 2012, skipping right over the Detroit Auto Show. (Viper Club of America).
UPDATE 01/12/2012: According to MSNBC, the new generation Viper will be offered exclusively to customers who have previously owned a Viper and the first units will only be offered to members of the Viper Club of America. However, being a member of this club doesn’t automatically make you a potential owner of the new Viper. Dodge will be selecting the lucky few through random criteria.
Hit the jump for more information on the 2013 Dodge Viper.
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Dodge has announced that the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in Detroit has been reopened in preparation for the production of the new generation Viper. In addition to that tidbit of news, the company has also announced that the new generation Viper will drop its usual Dodge name and will be simply called SRT Viper.
"The next generation Viper will make its return to the product lineup in late 2012 as a 2013 model," said Ralph Gilles, President and Chief Executive Officer - SRT Brand and Motorsports, Chrysler Group LLC."We’re extremely excited that our ultimate American sports car will continue to live on and be produced exclusively here in the Motor City."
Conner Avenue will begin building the new Viper in late 2012, but employees began reporting for training and orientation this fall. The plants have the capacity of building about 12 Vipers per day. The 2013 SRT Viper will be revealed at the New York Auto Show in April 2012.
All you anxious and restless fans of the Dodge Viper can now rest easy. After a one-year "sabbatical," the 2013 Viper is coiled up and ready to strike at the 2012 New York Auto Show on April 6, 2012.
According to Viper Club of America, no less than SRT President and CEO Ralph Giles confirmed the date for the Viper’s return, complete with a new halo look that is bound to make fans welcome the sports car back with open arms.
Patience has truly been a virtue for Vipermaniacs who have waited long and hard for the Viper to come back from the ashes. Understandably, Dodge execs have been very tight-lipped about the car, opting to keep us sweating at what lies in store for us when the 2013 Viper returns.
There have been many rumors surrounding the new Viper, most of which surround the type of engine that will be found under the hood. The first rumors suggested it would get a new direct-injection 8.4-liter V10 engine that would deliver around 700HP. However, European magazines are talking about a V8 engine with an output of 500 HP for an entry level version. A Viper mule was recently caught testing with the new Viper front end attached to the old body style. Something was cooking under that hood and whatever engine that may be, it will need plenty of fresh air to keep it cool. There was a big air intake in the front bumper and what looked to be three air intakes in the hood. This engine will be a beast and Dodge is doing whatever it can to keep it at bay. Rumors suggest this new engine will not come from Ferrari, but could be a variation of Chrysler’s new 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 with some form of forced induction.
Whatever engine is finally chosen, at the very least, we now have an official date to circle on our calendars. With all the secrecy surrounding this car, that alone is already a battle won.
Usually, when an automotive conversion is taking place, it’s a road car getting tuned up for the track. But every once in a while, there’s a racer that’s so badass, tuning firms have to make it street legal. This is the case with the Dodge Zakspeed-Viper GTS-R by Heurich Classics. Dodge may be working on their new generation Viper, but for many, the second generation is the true calling for the sports car and the 1998 Viper GTS-R was just too good to be left alone.
The 1998 Viper originally belonged to Zakspeed Racing, but was purchased in 2010 by someone who wanted to recreate the Viper in the original design present during the vehicle’s win at the 1999 legendary 24 h at the Nürburgring, and make it street legal. For this, they turned to Heurich Classics, a Germany tuning firm that specializes in maintaining and repairing vintage classics.
Many changes had to take place in order for this classic racer to be turned into a street legal mad machine. The Viper had to get its spoiler cut, its rear diffuser removed, and its side channels rebuilt, as well as its brake system changed. New tires and wheels were special ordered and a new hand brake system with CNC-machined caliper carriers was installed. For the interior, the seats, harness, and glazing were renewed, and new passenger seats were installed. All of the electrical work was also redone. The finishing touch was provided with the traditional colors and livery of the original Hasseroder Viper GTS-R.
After completing the work on the exterior and interior, the tuner turned its focus on the engine. The steering angle had to be increased, the cooling system changed, additional fans installed, engine peripherals modified, and the exhaust system adapted to get the Viper up to code. As a result, the 6.2-liter V8 engine now delivers a total of 600 HP, combined with a Tremec six-speed manual gearbox.
