Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Supercars, Dodge
2008 Dodge Viper with 600HP revealed on cover of Road and Track
UPDATE: Thanks to Ray over at Jalopnik we have a little bit higher res shot of the Viper in question.It's like the buff books aren't even trying to keep embargoed information a secret anymore. The cover of Road and Track's February issue has recently been loaded onto the dead-tree journo's website as a small thumbnail. Though super tiny and pixelated, a picture of what appears to be the 2008 Dodge Viper is located in the lower left-hand corner. From what we can make out, above the pic in bold white lettering it reads, "
If you look really, really close at the Viper, you'll also notice some dark pixels on the hood, which are likely the hood vents we've been seeing in recent spy shots of the 2008 Viper SRT-10. Hmm... Don't you think a 600-hp Viper pratically guarantees that a real Blue Devil Corvette is a done deal?
The embargo on information and photos relating to the 2008 Dodge Viper is technically in effect until 12AM EST on January 9th, the day the vehicle debuts at the 2007 NAIAS. Of course, with the way things have been going we should expect the February issue of Road and Track to be in our mailbox as we speak. Regardless, we'll have more concrete info about the car for you later, as well as verification that we've translated this pixelated cover correctly.
[Source: Road and Track]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Ross P. 4:30PM (12/27/2006)
Personally, I love Dodve Vehicles...
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XiozTzu 4:32PM (12/27/2006)
Dodve's are ok, but I much prefer a Fard or a Chery.
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oren 4:35PM (12/27/2006)
600hp Viper is not surprising, we all remember the first batch of Vipers in there short lifespan, the original motor was capable of 750hp with headers, exhaust system, and better intake, basically better breathing.
Sounds like a fun year, hopefully its at the Detroit show since i'm going up there this year.
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egon 4:58PM (12/27/2006)
I prefer Ferrabis and Lamborghibis over Dodve's.
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Sid 5:14PM (12/27/2006)
Muzdas for me!
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vallidsoner 5:16PM (12/27/2006)
It says 'supercharged', which would explain where the horses come from...
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American cars suck 5:19PM (12/27/2006)
i am sure it's great in a straight away, but how does it corner? Probably not too well. AGain, the USA just doesn't know how to build a proper sports car.
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Jerry 5:30PM (12/27/2006)
I'm also certain it says "Supercars" and not "Supercharged". Besides, these guys are right, the Viper engine with 8.3 liters could make 600 horsepower in its sleep. It doesn't need a supercharger to do it.
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mike 5:31PM (12/27/2006)
vallidsoner: This car is not supercharged, it is a new 600hp NA motor built by Mclaren, with room to go up to 750 NA after the blue devil comes. The 700+ will come with the ZC model, coming after a year and a half as an '09. The ZB, pictured, will be an extended run model year based on the existing platform, whereas the ZC is all new from the ground up (motor excluded)
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C 5:37PM (12/27/2006)
How fast do you have to be going before you can get enough traction to tell the difference between 600 HP and 700 HP?
I'd rather have a 190HP Elise.
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pd 5:45PM (12/27/2006)
Z06 guys are making 600 h.p. with headers and a cam, the boost must be really low on that Viper.
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kab 5:48PM (12/27/2006)
I'm wondering if, back in the day of late 60's muscle, if the price difference between an L6 'vette and a 'typical' affordable car was nearly as great as it is nowadays, taking inflation and currency into the equation.
Methinks I know the answer....
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Reilly Brennan 8:06PM (12/27/2006)
Here's a better view:
http://www.zinio.com/offer?issn=0035-7189&of=ZH1
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David Zatz 9:12PM (12/27/2006)
" i am sure it's great in a straight away, but how does it corner? Probably not too well. AGain, the USA just doesn't know how to build a proper sports car."
Well, someone apparently hasn't bothered to do any research. The Viper is one of the best-cornering cars ever made, period. That's one reason it wiped the floor with some very expensive specially made European sports cars back before the takeover, when Chrysler was still competing in European racing.
As for the German company comment, the engine was apparently worked over by McLaren but NOT the McLaren owned by Mercedes! ... the McLaren headquartered right here in the USA. You may be shocked to find out that General Motors is designing more cars overseas - like the Aveo, CTS, various Saturns, etc. I sure hope Mercedes DNA doesn't get into the Viper, because then it would have to cost twice as much, go slower, break down more often, and get uglified.
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ry 11:45PM (12/27/2006)
to 15: Dodge Viper just equalled Beemer's Z4M on a track, with the Beemer taking over everytime in a corner, only to be caught up by the viper on a straight. this does not spell "best cornering car ever made" to me, period.
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Andy 11:57PM (12/27/2006)
Please. A Forsche will still outclass it.
It's about time Dodge upgraded the SRT-10. The Viper is getting clobbered by the Z06, and the re-design isn't glamour for the eyes. Watch Dodge jack up the price by $10K.
The Fiper is hardly the great sports car it once was. It's time for it to go the way of the NSX.
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Wyce 1:07AM (12/28/2006)
The boys over at Edmunds.com's "Inside Line" have some shots.
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paul 2:20AM (12/28/2006)
The earlier vipers had a hard time keeping the brake pads from heat-disentegrating when the power was really "used". Sure hope anybody who likes to do hot laps has a local track with a big over-run area!
...and when you sit in one, the interior still screams "American car, committee designed!
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supercars 7:15AM (12/29/2006)
Porsche 911 Turbo Mission 400 Plus is the best!
http://www.auto-power-girl.com/cars-2007/porsche-specifications/1054_bhp_porsche_911_turbo_mission_400_plus_by_jurgen_alzen_motorsport-1332
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Craig N. Cote 10:27PM (1/01/2007)
Amazing what a German owned company can do. Will it only have 80% US/Canadian parts content as a Vette does? McLaren built engine? Why isn't Dodge building it themselves in Mexico where they build all their over rated Hemis? Will the alternator be made by Mitsubishi and will there be Mercedes DNA in it as well? Vipers can't even keep up the resale value of a Toyota Supra!
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