They said it was dead, but the Dodge Viper has risen from its grave as the most hotly anticipated car of the moment. The next generation model will come straight off the Fiat-Chrysler marriage, reaching showrooms in 2013, or as early as the fourth quarter of next year.
Poised to sit at the head of the table as Chrysler’s halo model, the Viper is benchmarked directly with a Chevrolet Corvette, a model Pentastar’s engineers have on hand to test against.
Although this prototype is still a lat generation mule wearing a new but disguised face, Chrysler is already preparing both a tin-top and convertible chassis.
It’s too early to speculate on technical specification, but we wouldn’t call you stupid for suggesting the V10 is on its way out. A 600bhp truck engine has no place in a modern supercar, and along with the totally revamped and improved interior, Dodge is expected to work its new-found magic under the bonnet too. A Hemi V8 would make most sense, but don’t be surprised if Fiat jumps in to make a few additions of its own. Ferrari tech in a Dodge? Things are about to get very interesting, indeed.
