Gen 5 Dodge Viper

[Exorcet]

Dun Dun Duuuunnnnn

I've never been able to see it. I still can't. And it still looks better than the new one.

 

[braunracing88]

I've seen the new Viper and it almost looks like a Ferrari 599 from the front. Alfa Romeo had a hand in the design of the car, btw. It appeared on Top Gear UK Season 19 Episode 2 on a road trip through Nevada and California with Richard Hammond at the wheel. I hated the bashing it got from Jeremy and James so much, I wanted to give them both a hard pounding.

 

[psntomaz]

any Front engined, Long hood, short deck sports car will look like. just like any Mid engined light weight sports car will look like a Elise, Common Architecture design. Alfa Romeo had NO imput on the design of the Viper. its all Giles and his SRT design team...


That Top Gear Show erked me to death... Panle gap on a PRE-PRODUCTION Model... Giles told them that the car had imperfections before the show aired and they still bashed it. I see they didnt compare the interior of the other cars because that GTS Viper interior blows the other 2 out the water.

 

[psntomaz]

Meh, seems like the more I look at the new Viper, the more I dislike it (Same with the C7, but that's another thread). I dunno, I guess it would grow on me some day.
But compared to the 2006 model, a lot of the new Viper seems alien. The head and tail lights, the fog lights, the hood, the roof split, the grill, and the odd shape of the spoiler is bugging me.

2006:

2013:

The old viper looks like its TRYING to hard to look like what it is... A Viper. the new car looks just like a Viper..... especially the headlights and its curvaceous front end.

if anything the 2003-2006 Models were "Alien" because it lost its curvaceous snake look.

 

[McLaren]

That Top Gear Show erked me to death... Panle gap on a PRE-PRODUCTION Model... Giles told them that the car had imperfections before the show aired and they still bashed it. I see they didnt compare the interior of the other cars because that GTS Viper interior blows the other 2 out the water.

As nice as it is, the Viper interior is not going to be anywhere as good as the Lexus or Aston Martin. The materials used blow the Viper "out of the water" & rightly so; they're over twice as much.

 

[MustangManiac]

As nice as it is, the Viper interior is not going to be anywhere as good as the Lexus or Aston Martin. The materials used blow the Viper "out of the water" & rightly so; they're over twice as much.

I don't think most who buy a Viper do so for the luxury appointments such as they do the Lexus or Aston.

 

[Vince]

The old viper looks like its TRYING to hard to look like what it is... A Viper. the new car looks just like a Viper..... especially the headlights and its curvaceous front end.

if anything the 2003-2006 Models were "Alien" because it lost its curvaceous snake look.

Then what is your opinion on the '90s models, then?

 

[psntomaz]

Then what is your opinion on the '90s models, then?

umm the 90's models all looked the same, just went fromt Roadster to Coupe and a new hood. the new one IS a evolution of the 90's model.

 

[Ddrizle]

SRT Viper ACR coming in 2014, might be neutered for Ferrari's sake

Interestingly, Motor Trend is reporting that office politics could determine if the ACR gets a power boost. SRT CEO Ralph Gilles has previously suggested the Viper wasn't allowed to exceed the power-to-weight ratio of the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta so they matched it at 5.2 pounds per horsepower. Sources have hinted the Viper’s 8.4-liter V10 engine could produce more power than the F12's 6.2-liter (6262cc) V12 which develops 730 bhp (544 kW). Ferrari, as you can imagine, isn't too happy about this possibility so it seems like the ACR could be hamstrung by their Italian counterparts.

If this turns out to be true then.....

 

[Zenith]

And now people see the bad side of being owned by another car company. The product can suffer.

 

[Tornado]

umm the 90's models all looked the same, just went fromt Roadster to Coupe and a new hood. the new one IS a evolution of the 90's model.

I'm not seeing your point, since the GTS didn't look too terribly different from the SRT-10 Coupe.

 

[RACECAR]

And now people see the bad side of being owned by another car company. The product can suffer.

Doesn't seem to affect the Volkswagen Audi Group too much at the moment.

 

[Zenith]

Doesn't seem to affect the Volkswagen Audi Group too much at the moment.

Longtime fans of Lamborghini would disagree with you.

 

[RACECAR]

Longtime fans of Lamborghini would disagree with you.

Hmmm, well then how exactly? I can't exactly remember them being restricted from making something just because of say Audi being fussy. Hell, the fact that compete in the same GT3 series as Audi AND Porsche seems to tell me there's no sort of hierchy.

 

[sems4arsenal]

Surely Ferrari wouldn't do that to the ACR ,oh wait it is Ferrari.

 

[McLaren]

Hmmm, well then how exactly? I can't exactly remember them being restricted from making something just because of say Audi being fussy. Hell, the fact that compete in the same GT3 series as Audi AND Porsche seems to tell me there's no sort of hierchy.

I'm a bit curious to this myself because the only thing in Lamborghini's lineup Audi would feel any "threat" by is the Gallardo & that car is supposed to be a rank above the R8 anyway.

The Murcielago & Aventador are cars Audi, or VAG in general, really have nothing to compete against.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

VW/Audi has got it really lucky. They pretty much have the high end market covered. Porsche, Lamborghini, Bentley, Bugatti, the R8. All are a bit different, so they will rarely be cross-shopped. Fiat should realise that nobody will cross-shop a Viper ACR and a Ferrari F12.

 

[McLaren]

VW/Audi has got it really lucky. They pretty much have the high end market covered. Porsche, Lamborghini, Bentley, Bugatti, the R8. All are a bit different, so they will rarely be cross-shopped. Fiat should realise that nobody will cross-shop a Viper ACR and a Ferrari F12.

They won't cross shop, but Ferrari only cares about its cars being the "#1" performing cars in the world.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

Very true. They've become pretty spoiled and bureaucratic lately.

 

[RACECAR]

Very true. They've become pretty spoiled and bureaucratic lately.

As far as I can work out, when haven't they behaved like this? Supposedly (from what I heard), there was a Maserati car that was limited in its performance to keep Ferrari from being upset at a car being better then there's.

 

[AMCNUT]

I hope the Viper doesn't bump into a corporate glass ceiling - but I agree that Vipers and Ferraris cater to different demographics. It'd be poor form on Ferrari's part if something like that could be proven.

 

[Exorcet]

They won't cross shop, but Ferrari only cares about its cars being the "#1" performing cars in the world.

Then they need to stop being lazy at work at their goal. Ferrari makes quick cars, but they're not at the clear top of the mountain.

As far as the Viper goes, a power limit would not surprised me. I've already been wondering how the car ended up with Pirellis which do not belong anywhere near it.

The good news though is that power/weight isn't the most important feature for the ACR, and perhaps if all Ferrari wants is numbers to brag over, the Viper could end up getting speed from other areas where it has traditionally been lacking. This new Viper finally has a real sixth gear, but with a new aero package it might need to be shortened further.

Still, the limit on power will surely be felt, and even more if they can't play with weight. Downforce to weight ratio is what made the 2008 ACR so good. If Ferrari is getting in the way, it might be better to actually downgrade the ACR's horsepower to lower the weight. But having to do that is just silly.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

As far as I can work out, when haven't they behaved like this? Supposedly (from what I heard), there was a Maserati car that was limited in its performance to keep Ferrari from being upset at a car being better then there's.

Ah yes, the MC12. What a silly decision that was. Only a few MC12s were made, and only 400 of the related Enzos were sold. Sales wouldn't be hurt, and neither would the reputation of either brand if the Maserati was better.

 

[McLaren]

Ah yes, the MC12. What a silly decision that was. Only a few MC12s were made, and only 400 of the related Enzos were sold. Sales wouldn't be hurt, and neither would the reputation of either brand if the Maserati was better.

It didn't matter because in the end, the MC12 was the superior car in performance; it was much more at home on the track & easily a second plus quicker. And the MC12 has recently equalized or in certain cases, gone above the market price of Enzos & will continue to do so as they enter the market less & less. The only thing that really drives the Ferrari prices are colors that aren't Rosso Corsa & extremely low mileage models.

 

[VspecZR1GT2RS89]

They won't cross shop, but Ferrari only cares about its cars being the "#1" performing cars in the world.

I know right? Have you guys ever read an article about Chris Harris's rant about the silly and arrogant practices and feelings about competition against everyone Ferrari gained?

Having two cars for different magazine tests and reviews and having the cars with more power or better handling instead of going stock for stock like everyone else. After hearing about all these excuses from Ferrari, would make me think about buying something else instead, if I was in the market for one.

I like Ferraris, but I'll still buy a Viper regardless. But I know a Viper and a Ferrari have so many differences it's not even funny. The example with the R8 and the Gallardo is a perfect example and these cars as well: the Camaro or Firebird from GM and the 350/370Z or the G35/G37 from Nissan/Infiniti. Nothing stopped their markets because one car is faster or better than the other.

Even when Enzo was alive he didn't go this low to prove something, even though he insulted Ford, Lamborghini and McLaren (which was lowdown.) But Henry and Carroll, Mr. Lambo and Bruce proved him wrong about what he said about them and their cars defeated Ferraris like crazy. I wonder what he'll say when he hears this crap from his company.

Then they need to stop being lazy at work at their goal. Ferrari makes quick cars, but they're not at the clear top of the mountain.

As far as the Viper goes, a power limit would not surprised me. I've already been wondering how the car ended up with Pirellis which do not belong anywhere near it.

The good news though is that power/weight isn't the most important feature for the ACR, and perhaps if all Ferrari wants is numbers to brag over, the Viper could end up getting speed from other areas where it has traditionally been lacking. This new Viper finally has a real sixth gear, but with a new aero package it might need to be shortened further.

Still, the limit on power will surely be felt, and even more if they can't play with weight. Downforce to weight ratio is what made the 2008 ACR so good. If Ferrari is getting in the way, it might be better to actually downgrade the ACR's horsepower to lower the weight. But having to do that is just silly.

1000:tup:

I think Giles and Chrysler should ignore Ferrari's whining and increase the HP and improve the ACR's handling and it's aerodynamics. I been thinking about VX SRT ACR Viper with 690-710hp with race-inspired aero and performance from the GTS-Rs for the road.

 

[ND4SPD]

I have a feeling Ralph Gilles will ignore the Ferrari issue. I mean didn't Sergio Marchionne tell him not to make a new Viper and he did without Sergio knowing? I think I heard Ralph talk about that when the new viper was being introduced. Also, we all know that the next Z06 and ZR1 will significantly raise the bar. Everyone know's that is the new Viper's direct competition and I don't think Ralph is going to let Ferrari get in their way especially if they want to compete with the top dog C7's.

 

[Adamgp]

Found this retweet on Autoblog:

Ralph Gilles ‏@RalphGilles

“@strYker555: I've been hearing rumours that FIAT might cap SRT Viper performance to make Ferrari look good. Is this true?” Not at all!

and

@alexandervalys @insideferrari There is NO truth to this. Ferrari plays to a totally different market. Based on joke I made at the NY reveal

 

[McLaren]

So, as we already knew, the 2 cars aren't even in the same market, but in addition, Ferrari/Fiat never made the statement to begin with. Bring on the ACR, then.

 

[psntomaz]

I have a feeling Ralph Gilles will ignore the Ferrari issue. I mean didn't Sergio Marchionne tell him not to make a new Viper and he did without Sergio knowing? I think I heard Ralph talk about that when the new viper was being introduced. Also, we all know that the next Z06 and ZR1 will significantly raise the bar. Everyone know's that is the new Viper's direct competition and I don't think Ralph is going to let Ferrari get in their way especially if they want to compete with the top dog C7's.

SM never said he didnt want Giles to make the Viper. It was SM that said the Viper must live on, and Giles was the man who carried the project forward.

 

[SuperShouden]

By the way, SRT has put the Viper back on the top at Laguna Seca. They lost the title to the Corvette ZR1. And, in response, SRT built the SRT Viper TA. The TA stands for Time Attack, if you didn't guess.