2012 Viper

[Harry P.]

Has anyone seen any renderings, spy shots or anything visual on the newly designed 2012 Viper? I read that it was shown to a bunch of Chrysler muckety-mucks and they whooped and hollered when they saw it.

[charlie8575]

I wonder if they're borrowing queues from Ferrari or Maseratti now, given the Fiat connection?

I've seen nothing, but I'll keep an eye open, now you have me interested.

Charlie Larkin

[Harry P.]

From Edmunds:

At a meeting here of Chrysler's U.S. dealers, CEO Sergio Marchionne, who also heads Italian automaker Fiat, said Chrysler will introduce 17 new or redesigned models over the next two years, including a replacement for the Dodge Viper, which was phased out of production this summer.

The next-generation Viper is due in 2012, dealers were told. Until the dealer meeting this week, Chrysler had dropped numerous hints about a possible Viper successor but hedged on dates and details.

According to The Wall Street Journal, dealers "gasped and applauded" when Marchionne unveiled a "sleek redesign" of the Viper.

[Harry P.]

From Autoblog:

Chrysler has already confirmed that the next Viper is on its way in two years' time, but showing it off this early is a clear indication that work is well underway. There's still some debate about what powertrain will be fitted to the thoroughly updated Viper, but early reports indicate that the same 8.4-liter V10 could carry on, possibly with the inclusion of Fiat's MultiAir technology to reduce emissions and boost output over 700 horsepower. An entry-level V8 option is a possibility, and there's little doubt that Dodge is tapping Ferrari's engineers to advise on everything from handling to steering and stability control systems.

[B_rad88]

this is the only pic i have found of a future "2012" viper

http://www.roadandtrack.com/var/ezflow_site/storage_RT_NEW/storage/images/media/images/fc_the-future-of-viper_span/2115363-1-eng-US/fc_the-future-of-viper_span.jpg

i know this is a photoshop on the 1st gen viper, but this one is interesting:

[Harry P.]

I don't think the one in your link is accurate... it's too similar to the current car, and from what I've read the new Viper is a total redesign.

[highway]

Here you go, Harry. I don't know how correct this is, but I found these two sites both saying the 2012 Viper may be based on an Afla Romeo supercar.

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2010/09/2012-dodge-viper-looks-like-the-alfa-romeo-8c.html

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2012-dodge-viper-ideal-versus-reality/

[David G.]

this is the only pic i have found of a future "2012" viper

http://www.roadandtrack.com/var/ezflow_site/storage_RT_NEW/storage/images/media/images/fc_the-future-of-viper_span/2115363-1-eng-US/fc_the-future-of-viper_span.jpg

i know this is a photoshop on the 1st gen viper, but this one is interesting:

Whoah! Talk about "Cab Foreward!" It looks like the illegitimate offspring of a Viper and a Neon.

[sjordan2]

carbuzz.com says this is it. They're not thrilled.

However, a French site says this is it, which would confirm rumors that it resembles the Alfa Competizione. But I think this is a Photoshop job based on the rumors (hence, what appears to be a signature in front of the rear wheel).

Or it could be based on this concept, shown at the L.A. auto show last December.

Edited October 13, 2010 by sjordan2

[sjordan2]

Somehow I doubt they'd dust off the old Chrysler Firepower concept from 2005 and call that the new Viper. That car was considered for production to keep the Conner Ave. Viper plant busy. The concept was built using the Viper chassis, a Hemi V-8, and more luxurious/less hardcore interior and suspension tuning to appeal to the buyers in the Cadillac XLR market.

A market which, as it turns out, didn't exist. XLR tanked and Firepower was left to wilt on the vine. Probably for the best from a financial and PR perspective but everyone I know involved in the program raved about the potential that vehicle had. The main thing was that the hardcore Viper didn't have a lot of technology (stability control to name just one, etc) that would have been demanded in a more Grand Touring type car and would have pushed development costs up past the point of reason for the car to be profitable at a price the market would bear.

Yeah, doesn't make sense. Everything is just rumor now (PS - I added a couple of shots since you posted this).

[Foxer]

this is the only pic i have found of a future "2012" viper

http://www.roadandtrack.com/var/ezflow_site/storage_RT_NEW/storage/images/media/images/fc_the-future-of-viper_span/2115363-1-eng-US/fc_the-future-of-viper_span.jpg

i know this is a photoshop on the 1st gen viper, but this one is interesting:

This is taking Chrysler's old Cab Forward design to NEW lengths!!!

[Darin Bastedo]

I have a close friend at Chrysler who has been on team viper from the very beginning, and is working on the current car. He has told me more than this, and even showed me a photo of the initial concept, but what I'm sharing here he said is ok to let people know...

1. The earlier cancelation of the Viper was due to the fact that the old replacement was deveoped jointly with AMG/Mercedes as a sister to the AMG SLS mercedes. Having lost access to that platform Team viper had no replacement in the works. The 2012 SLS Roadster will be realesed instead.

2. The new 2012 Viper will not be based on the Alfa 8C Competizione chassis, though it will borrow hard ware from it, and other cars in the family. The viper will have it's own unique platform. This is what caused the on again off again involving the budget. There is a strong likely hood this car will at best break even, but in terms of customer image and the halo effect, the project will pay for itself.

3. No body will complain that the 2012 viper will look "like a corvette" anymore. where the ist gen car was rough and rugged, and the gen 2 was not aggressive enough, the gen 3 viper is bringing back the voluptiousness of the gen 1 car in a tighter lighter package, and much more flowing lines. The comparison to the Alfa 8C Competizione is spot on in general as far as the basic shape and balance of proportion, but is very different in size and detail. no-one will ever confuse one for the other.

4 The powerplant will likely remain a V-10 but may be smaller in displacement, but make up for it with variable valve timing and direct ingection. They also haven't ruled out a future Diesel variant down the road.

5. There will still be both coupe and roadster variants but ecpect the roaster to look more like a Cobra than it ever has before due to the rear fender shapes.

6. expect pricing to remain very close to the current car.

7. There with be a Hyper-powereful model also that is aiming to make the Corvette ZRI look slow. expect that in 2014.

Well that is all folks.

[sjordan2]

Good to have some knowledgeable info. Thanks, Darin.

[davyou5]

carbuzz.com says this is it. They're not thrilled.

However, a French site says this is it, which would confirm rumors that it resembles the Alfa Competizione. But I think this is a Photoshop job based on the rumors (hence, what appears to be a signature in front of the rear wheel).

Or it could be based on this concept, shown at the L.A. auto show last December.

No this cannot be!! That is the new Viper? You have got to be kidding me? What is the world coming too..... :) .

[Deckerz]

Has anyone seen any renderings, spy shots or anything visual on the newly designed 2012 Viper? I read that it was shown to a bunch of Chrysler muckety-mucks and they whooped and hollered when they saw it.

the dodge viper is being discontinued apparently, theres going to be a replacement car but it wont be a viper.

[Harry P.]

the dodge viper is being discontinued apparently, theres going to be a replacement car but it wont be a viper.

The current generation Viper is being discontinued, the new Viper will come out as a 2012 model.

[moparmagiclives]

I dont beleive there are any pictures out of the new viper, because there is no new viper yet. the one that was "driven" out at the dealer meeting in Florida was actualy a clay model that was "motored" out on to the stage. Should be interesting if things alow it to go into production. Allpar.com has some artists concepts that are close but again, there is no car yet.

Edited October 20, 2010 by moparmagiclives