Viper A 2021 C8 Z06 Threat?

[John]

Is the 2021 Viper even coming, but if so, would it be a C8 threat in your opinion?

So many factors mitigating the chances of a 2021 Viper ever being made, but if so, do you think it would be a threat to the 2021 Z06 Corvette?



ILLUSTRATION BY RADOVAN VARICAK

2021 Dodge Viper: A Motown Legend Is Reborn! But with no V-10, will it move the faithful?

What It Is: The second rebirth of a Motown legend. Not many details have surfaced yet, but trust us: A new Viper is happening.

Why It Matters: Since the fifth-gen Viper’s production ended in 2017, Dodge has lacked a true halo car. Sure, it has its supercharged trick ponies—Hellcat and Demon—but the Mopar faithful need something to put up against Chevy’s and Ford’s mid-engined sports cars.

Platform: As before, the new Viper will use a spaceframe with independent suspensions front and rear. A long hood with an engine tucked behind the front axle, a Viper staple, will remain. Learning from its unfortunate fifth-gen product-planning mistake, Dodge will offer a convertible from the beginning; the coupe comes a few years after launch. Aluminum and carbon fiber will proliferate, keeping mass as low as possible because the Viper is likely to lose a little grunt, at least to start.

Powertrain: Sorry, 10-pack fans, the Viper is downsizing. Chrysler is (finally) developing an aluminum-block V-8 to replace the aging iron-block anchor it calls Hemi. We’re guessing that a naturally aspirated V-8 will be the new Viper’s first engine. Taking a page from the Corvette team, Dodge SRT will likely offer the Viper in multiple performance levels. Think 550 horsepower to start and a supercharged 700-plus-hp variant (essentially a second-gen Hellcat engine) coming a year or two later. And if we know anything about the engineers at SRT, you’d better believe there will be a hard-core road racer in the works designed to challenge Porsche’s GT cars and Chevy’s upper-register Corvettes on the racetrack. A manual transmission will make it stand out against the increasingly automatic-only competition.

Competition: Chevrolet Corvette, FCA’s bottom line.

What Might Go Wrong: With Conner Avenue Assembly closed for good, it’s likely that a supplier will be tapped to bolt Vipers together, and that could lengthen the development time (think Multimatic-built Ford GT). We know SRT can build an amazing track car; FCA just needs to make sure it’s a track car that people actually want to own.

Estimated Arrival and Price: The January 2019 Detroit auto show will be the 30th anniversary of the Viper concept’s debut. It would be a fitting tribute for the next Viper to go public then, though we don’t expect to see it on the road until late 2020 as a 2021 model. Borrowing an engine from elsewhere in the FCA lineup might have a massive impact on the base price. As opposed to starting in the low six figures, the new Viper could broaden its appeal slightly by starting under $90,000.

https://www.caranddriver.com/feature...gend-is-reborn

[xXColorShiftXx]

Chrysler can’t keep the viper going consistently, And not to mention they stopped production of the current car due to poor sales. so the Vette will reign over it once again. Especially if the ME will be as powerful as the rumors say.

[smoove7410]

I think it will if they fix two glaring issues with the initial launch of the last generation; lack of auto/dct option and price.

Also, just an FYI, that illustration depicts a mid-engined Viper while the article says it is retaining it's front-mid mounting.

[John]

I haved fixed a couple of things in the thread. Thank you smoove7410 for pointing them out!

[TOMDOM69]

It could be an option for the people who want "front"mid engine and stickshift. I am loving the fact that I will have an opportunity to get a midengine beast, for less then the price of my house, that will perform like a car the price of my house... and it's a vette

[John]

Very good points TOMDOM69 about its being an FE and having a manual —that is of course as well all know if it is ever brought into production, for the last few years, FCA has been cutting model after model, and cutting or even eliminating investing in upgrading almost everything other than their SUVs and PU’s.

[Shadow]

If it returns, because FCA does not have a plant that we know of with the capacity to make uniquely, nor probably not the skill set for it IMO among its other vehicles, it could again be a very expensive car — especially as its buying audience will again number in the very low thousands per year. Specifically, there was only one year in its 20 year history that is broke 2,000 sales units (2,103 sales in 2003).

It is not a thread to any version of the Corvette ME.

[JB]

No more vipers ..just not happening to cash strapped fca. They cant even afford to remake the charger or 300....

runors are strong that investors want fiat sold off to PSA. Alfa and maserati sold off. Dodge shut down and the company renamed jeep ram.

probably wont happen but bringing out a vioer after the last debacle has a slim to none chance.

jmo

[John]

I agree with you JB for the reasons you noted, especially with in preceding post, my learning how few Vipers were sold even in their best year.

[USVTRN]

Unless they can fit the engine in the back and twin turbo it, they will be behind the power curve for the upcoming C8... I am sure they know this.

[John]

Interestingly, all of the automedia articles that I have read about the 2021 Viper, say it would be a FE.

[Frenzy36]

It could get some attention over the Vette ME If GM doesn't offer the ME in that color. LOL Appears to be close to the Crystal Red Metallic from 2015. I absolutely love that color. I feel that the ME Vette will have the pricepoint advantage and better overall VALUE. Hopefully we will soon find out. If some of the other car manufacturers reveal sooner I feel GM will be missing the ship yet again. As there will be a large percentage who may stray because of the unknown outcome of the ME Vette. I have to admit that above Snake looks great. I will patiently wait to see if any OFFICIAL INFO will be released. If nothing by the Chicago Show, my cash will be displaced elsewhere. Just my personal feeling. I still cannot figure out why they would not release SOMETHING , that it is definitely coming to a dealership near you.

[capevettes]

Well, I already have my Viper so it won't affect my decision to buy a mid engine. My insider sources with the VOA (Viper Owner's Association) say no new Viper coming anytime soon. It just doesn't make financial sense for them. They just sold so few of them over the years. Their halo cars appear to be the Hellcat and Demon. We shall see. I hope they make another Viper. They stopped production before and started it back up. My Viper:

[Racer86]

It could get some attention over the Vette ME If GM doesn't offer the ME in that color. LOL Appears to be close to the Crystal Red Metallic from 2015. I absolutely love that color. I feel that the ME Vette will have the pricepoint advantage and better overall VALUE. Hopefully we will soon find out. If some of the other car manufacturers reveal sooner I feel GM will be missing the ship yet again. As there will be a large percentage who may stray because of the unknown outcome of the ME Vette. I have to admit that above Snake looks great. I will patiently wait to see if any OFFICIAL INFO will be released. If nothing by the Chicago Show, my cash will be displaced elsewhere. Just my personal feeling. I still cannot figure out why they would not release SOMETHING , that it is definitely coming to a dealership near you.

I started looking At Lamborghini. If Chevy doesn’t state that the ME is coming. They will lose me. Got better things to do than play games.

[Keagan-Z06]

How many times will a car die and resurrect?