Dodge to cease Viper production in July; all-new model slated for 2012
11/04/2009, 12:54 PM
By Andrew Ganz
Prior to Fiat’s acquisition of Chrysler, there were concerns the Viper would be discontinued for good. But one of Fiat’s first announcements after taking the helm was the Viper would live on. Today, Dodge brand CEO Ralph Gilles announced that the automaker’s iconic high performance flagship will get a new lease on life for the 2012 model year when a fresh replacement bows.
To be designed with input from Chrysler’s new Italian owner, Fiat, which owns Ferrari and Maserati among other brands, the new Viper will be the best of the breed, according to Gilles. Few details are known, including whether the car will retain a V10 powertrain or go with something cribbed from an Italian stable.
The current Viper will go out of production in July 2010, but not before 500 special edition models are introduced. Gilles didn’t clarify what will set these new variants apart, but he did hint that they’d be unique in more than just styling.
The news comes after months of speculation – and various, conflicting announcements – over the future of the Viper. At one point, Chrysler announced that it intended to sell the Viper line, as well as its Conner Avenue plant in Detroit, but the automaker later rescinded the sale after little interest from bidders.



11/04, 1:02 PM
posted by:
sctdiverdown
Well – get it while you can ……..before it turns into a “Ferr-iper”
11/04, 1:05 PM
posted by:
aesir
The only other engine, I would want to see in this besides a V10 is a V12.
11/04, 1:11 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
Viperrari will be sweet though. I don’t think anyone should be sad to see this go if Ferrari has anything to do with a new one. Imagine… A Ferrari for $80k… Nice!
11/04, 1:14 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
I’m just not seeing the evidence here kids. You know… that Chrysler’s destiny is to end up on the wrong end of a pointy Italian boot. They keep feeding us stuff like this… now why would they do that if their only goal was to pave the way for Fiat to return to America. Hmmm, maybe it is just a ploy and I’m not seeing it. Or maybe Marchionne is just the first real leader they’ve had since some guy named Lee… what was his last name now? It’ll come to me.
11/04, 1:15 PM
posted by:
reedfast
well, the price will go up unimaginably, but this should be one sick viper.
11/04, 1:20 PM
posted by:
85ZingoGTR
Seriously. For the price of the Viper and the fact that it’ll use a Ferrari engine, I’ll take a Maserati over this thing.
11/04, 1:29 PM
posted by:
NRG
Good news, but like most of the masses, I will bever be able to afford one, no matter who makes it. It’s always nice to dream though.
11/04, 1:31 PM
posted by:
spg900
As much as I am not a fan of 8 litre engines, I hope this does not just become a cheap Ferrari. Variety is good, even when there is no technology involved.
11/04, 1:49 PM
posted by:
andy
it will be a cheap Ferrari, like the R8 is a cheap Lambo… im guessing that’s what Tony is playing at
11/04, 1:51 PM
posted by:
kingknet
Can anything say Alfa Romero’s 8C is coming state side? Very nice. Anything they come up with, will be a big upgrade compared to what the Viper is or was.
11/04, 1:53 PM
posted by:
Z06ified
The new one will be powered by a 1.2L Fiat 4-cylinder.
11/04, 2:17 PM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM
No loss. Everyone would rather drive a Corvette anyways. Americans value quality as much as performance so Chryco losses.
Chryco won’t even be around in 2012 so the second line is false.
Victims of the American Revolution.
Be American. Buy American. buy GM. It is your patriotic obligation
11/04, 2:20 PM
posted by:
A4
Needs a massive displacement V10 and none of that electronic bull like the Manettino or whatever the hell its called in Ferrari’s. Keep it true to the Viper name.
11/04, 2:21 PM
posted by:
gehrhardt
I wonder if the special edition ones would have a supercharged Hemi in them instead of the V10… That would be nice.
11/04, 2:22 PM
posted by:
Sector_15504
They are going to rename the Fiat 500 Abarth to Dodge Viper.
11/04, 3:02 PM
posted by:
worst 3
well i’m said to see it go but if it comes backs and it not right its ok. as long as it still keep it electronic free a real manual and has a large disparagement v10 or v12 that i will be happy that cant take some serious supercharging or turbocharging.
if it has some stupid Ferrari engine it will destroy the viper. i hope they make it a mid mounted front engine like some supper cars and keep it similar and have it produced 650+hp. I hope they keep the engineering in America.
11/04, 3:11 PM
posted by:
928dreamer
They need to remember the purpose of this car was to have a raw testosterone fueled hardcore sports/muscle car. Any attempt to refine this too much or make it more luxurious will lessen it.
It needs to keep the large displacement and keep luxury items to a minimum. Otherwise, it probably wouldn’t be a bad thing to inject some Ferrari know how into the Viper. They do know a thing or two about building fast and beautiful cars.
This would be their chance to build a raw unappplogetic sports car.
11/04, 3:16 PM
posted by:
928dreamer
85ZingoGTR
No one will be cross shopping Maseratti and a Viper. They are about as different in charactor as you can get.
Its like saying. I’d take a Bentley over that lotus Elise.
11/04, 3:29 PM
posted by:
F50
Keep it simple, don’t add all the Ferrari gadgets, otherwise it would overlap too much.
I’d love to see a V10 or V12 Hemi. A V12 Hemi would be great in a LWB 300C Imperial.
11/04, 4:12 PM
posted by:
save saab
As much as I’m sad to see the current Viper go away I can’t wait for the new one. However, I don’t want any Ferrari Magneto F1 electroicy make you drive like Micheal Schumacher crap or a dual-clutch gearbox or else it’s a cheap Ferrari. What I want is a Supercharged Hemi V8 (V10s’ and V12s’ com’on people this is an American Muscle car but maybe a v10 cause that’s what the Viper currently has) with around 600-650 hp and it should have no electronics, no trick suspension and a true manual gearbox.
11/04, 4:18 PM
posted by:
shaver
Make it the fastest $100K car available.
11/04, 4:47 PM
posted by:
85ZingoGTR
@ Kingknet – Where have you been my friend? The Alfa Romeo 8C has been sold in the states. Its their first model since their return.
@ NMOFGM – You’re right. Americans do value quality over performance. Which is why Toyota and Honda sells plenty and GM doesn’t. As Willy Wonka would say. “You lose!! Good day sir!!”
@ 928dreamer – Sure people will cross shop the two. Maserati Gran Turismo and a Viper is about the same price range. Of course each car has its difference. (ex. one is 2+2 coupe and the other only carries 2, one person may want an american sports car and the other an italian one) But its not the first time I see someone simply looking for anything general sports coupe within the price range.
11/04, 5:12 PM
posted by:
928dreamer
@85ZingoGTR-I disagree, the only thing a Maserati has in common with the Viper is price, and now also the parent company. Someone looking to buy a Viper may cross shop other sports cars (Porsche GT3, Corvette, Panoz, ect.), but not likely luxury GT cruisers, A Maser, is not a sports car. It is a decision between completely different types of car.
11/04, 5:31 PM
posted by:
leftwingagenda
i don’t really see vipers being cross shopped frequently with maseratis…if you’re seriously considering buying a new viper you’re basically admitting you’re loony tunes…and by that i mean 1) crazy and 2) fine with cartoon-character looks to your ride…the guy that’s ok with #2 probably isn’t in for the sleek look of a maserati…in my naive opinion part of the allure of a viper is that they say “holy ****, look at me”, and most people wouldn’t recognize a maserati even if one ran them over in the street…
11/04, 6:14 PM
posted by:
sal500
If you want a Viper, you get one it’s that simple. You don’t shop all over the place! If price was the consideration, then there are 50 cars you could look at for 100K that are all great and fast but different in character and statement.
11/04, 7:01 PM
posted by:
teahead
I see a turbo-charged 6.4 all aluminum Hemi being the 2012 powerplant.
650hp should suffice.
Get rid of the roadster. Just need a coupe.
11/04, 8:07 PM
posted by:
Blakkarr
So will the new VIPER be more Race car than Muscle Car?
11/04, 8:26 PM
posted by:
85ZingoGTR
@ 928dreamer – It depends on the person and what qualities he’s looking for in a car. I see where you’re getting at though.
11/04, 8:34 PM
posted by:
CiNO
King of the ring is going. I wonder if Fiat can make a better Viper.
11/04, 11:08 PM
posted by:
g93
why would they put a hemi in a viper?…its called a viper for a reason
11/04, 11:24 PM
posted by:
teahead
Same reason they put the same LS block in the ZR1…more economic.
11/05, 12:22 AM
posted by:
QR25SpecV
Please don’t change it. Not at all. It must have a huge V10, no new electronic gizmos, and still look beastly.
11/05, 1:41 AM
posted by:
A4
I really don’t see them going with a forced induction V8 in the Viper. It makes no sense. If they have the money to make the car, they probably have the money to make it right, and we will see a V10 again, as it should be.
11/05, 1:46 AM
posted by:
atoms
I’m guessing a large displacement V10 (but nothing bigger then the 8L it has now) that has direct injection and spins to such an astronomical level the space shuttle will officially have a replacement
11/05, 1:48 AM
posted by:
atoms
something like 10,000rpm and anything over 9k it spits blood and flames and makes women’s clothes fall off…..I’m sure ferrari has some technical insight on this
11/05, 1:49 AM
posted by:
atoms
or maybe NASA…..
11/05, 3:08 PM
posted by:
BIG-KC
Viper is screwed. Let’s take a engine capable of being reliable at 1500hp and throw in a 500hp Ferrari engine that will blow up in 50k miles. And because it is a Ferrari engine it will cost $130,000 for the base viper that is slower and gets worse fuel mileage. And if they do stick a V12 in it (Enzo engine) it will cost $180,000 for a base, get worse mileage and last 60,000 miles.
11/05, 6:12 PM
posted by:
1c3d0g
Let’s hope the Viper retains its awesomeness and doesn’t turn into yet another Ferrari-clone.
11/06, 11:38 PM
posted by:
ktulu
dat gereen 1 is hot!
like Fergie