Chrysler has three offers for Viper
Click above for high-res gallery of the Dodge Viper ACR
Chrysler has been out shopping its Viper line since August of last year, and reports now indicate that there are at least three interested parties that have made offers for America's other sports car. So far, there's no word on who those suitors may be, but past rumors had indicated that both Saleen (not likely) and Roush were interested.
When the announcement was initially made that the automaker was considering offloading Viper as a brand. The prevailing thought was that the move could save the car from extinction; now, the tables have turned and it's generally acknowledged that Viper's sale may actually help save its struggling parent company. The income from selling the sportscar unit could help bolster the report due to Congress by the end of March regarding Chrysler's long-term viability, but the automaker doesn't expect to have anything finalized by D-day.
Gallery: First Drive: 2008 Dodge Viper ACR
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Steve Lopez 9:37AM (2/04/2009)
Well, talk about a big mess.
That's like GM giving up the Corvette.
Very bad move on Chrysler LLC's part.
Nardelli. What are you thinking?
Time for a new CEO. Get Lee back on the helm.
What is going on with our American car makers. Is everyone sleeping on the job?
Snap out of it!!!!
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CarverYachts 9:47AM (2/04/2009)
Why is this a mess? To keep a car that sells at such a low volume and cost so much to redesign when it comes time would be unrealistic in these times. Don't get me wrong...I LOVE the Viper, but it's money that can be used in other areas of the company to help sustain it in the future. When (if) the time comes, there will always be an opportunity to do another halo car...I would love to see the Chrysler Chronos finally make it into production.
The Luigiian 10:12AM (2/04/2009)
"That's like GM giving up the Corvette"
Not even close. The Corvette started production in 1953--about 56 years of tradition and fame as a gorgeous American sports car. The Viper only started production in 1991--about 18 years ago. It's never been as popular, and isn't nearly as well known as the Corvette.
MemphisNET 9:43AM (2/04/2009)
Is a Viper by any other name still a Viper?
I sure hope so... because what an amazing machine it is.
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blahblahak;dijqwidjq 9:44AM (2/04/2009)
I definitely want to see this car alive. But I would hate to see a hummerization happen to this line.... i.e. Only one true viper remains with the brand being watered down by a bunch of cheep wannabes. Everyone knows the H2 and H3 or not real hummers. They are poser hummers. The last thing we need is a $45k entry level poser viper. Keep the viper as is. Then offer an upmarket version $150-160k with the same general formula. Leave the nanny controls for the journalist (who have proven their lack of ability to appreciate a real car) and make something to destroy the world in every performance category (except for top speed). Considering the viper already rapes pretty much anything around it I don't think this would be that hard of a feat. Shave off a few hundred pounds (easier said than done). Widen the body 3-4 inches. Increase the track. Throw some 365 steam roller tires in the rear. Alcantra/carbon interior. Return to the clam shell hood. Etc etc etc. Then limit the production to no more than a 150 units a year. This will help spread costs while still keeping the viper numbers down. We already have a corvette on every corner, the last thing we want is a viper on every corner.
Since everything under the sun is now a "supercar", and the "hypercar" term that was coined by a 5th grader has taken hold...It would only be right that in spirit of the over enthusiastic autobloggers the viper will now be dubbed an "Ultra Car".
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Jei 12:03PM (2/04/2009)
I think the HUMMER brand exists only b/c there was a plan to build the H2 & H3 models. The H1 was very capable, but didn't have every component found on the military-spec Humvee...so in a way, the H1 was a poser according to your comments.
I do agree with you, though, about some company purchasing Viper as a brand only to begin to offer entry-level Viper variants. I guess the Viper wasn't meant to be a "brand" and it doesn't make sense that Chrysler is trying to sell it as such. And when the new owner intends to sell a next-gen Viper, will the consumer market actually consider it to be a "real" Viper?
blahvanjfalkfalk 9:47AM (2/04/2009)
*cheap*
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Mobius_1 9:55AM (2/04/2009)
I think the Viper is stunning, but the formula (big, truck V10) could be improved with technology. How about a slightly smaller one with a powerful turbo V6 to compete with the likes of Z4 only more fun and less pretence? I'd want one of those badly.
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MajorGeek 10:26AM (2/04/2009)
Apparently you have never driven one. No quality issues with my 2001, not a single issue. I have also owned supercharged and twin turbos and still have a Grand National. Turbos and superchargers are awesome, but so is a non boosted V-10 which currently can do 600HP. Think about it, they have more horsepower then the Lambo V10 by 50 ponies or more. It was the first car to reach 450 and 500 horsepower back in 94 if memory serves. It would not be a Viper without that V10 and its been improved from when it was a diesel truck motor to a 450 horsepower motor up to 2009 with the 600 horsepower motor. Trust me, that V10 is going nowhere. I could see Hennessy or SMS buying this vehicle.
Chrysler could have used a platform like the Crossfire to compete with the 4 and 6 cylinder micro cars, after all it was a sharp small car, but thats also a different beast... and a different conversation.
Mobius_1 10:40AM (2/04/2009)
I'm not talking about quality, and it would be the last thing on my mind with a V10 at the mercy of my right foot. But a huge powerful V10 isn't exactly the most politically correct engine in the current socioeconomic conditions with many people not having much money and also lots of people who are environmentally aware or just want to look like it (whether you believe in global warming or not, that is not the point of my comment, but rather the "trendy" thing at the moment is being "green"). They could use a smaller, less powerful and more frugal sports car that looks as good as the Viper and still delivers most of the visceral thrills, and that shouldn't be too hard since modern V6s are mostly powerful enough for a fun drive.
Really, that would let them make money, and that is probably one of the most important things on carmakers' minds right now. Also, that money could be used to improve R&D for these enthusiast cars such as what Porsche did with the Cayenne to improve their sports cars.
And no I haven't driven one, but I would love to. One of the greatest cars ever, but it lacks the sort of widespread appeal a smaller sports car would have and thus the profitability that is so important to carmakers at the moment.
elindiano 10:51AM (2/04/2009)
all that sound and its no faster than a middle of the range german sports car
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VP9Ok7zD-58
MajorGeek 11:23AM (2/04/2009)
Again, you make some great points but to take the V10 out of the Viper is like taking the V6 Turbos out of the GTR, the V8 out of the Vette, the V10 from the Gallardo or V12 from Murciealgo, its just not right. The Viper should have as politically uncorrect a motor as possible and as American muscle goes, thats the V10 from Dodge.
If your ever near Syracuse, holler, I will let you try out my Viper if your careful :) Once you feel and hear the V10, even my big Hemi seems like a 4 banger.
Mobius_1 11:26AM (2/04/2009)
Hehe, thanks lots for the offer, I'd find some kinda excuse someday :P
Anyways, they could always name it after a smaller snake? :) I'm not an expert on reptiles, though, anyone?
Shipey 12:24PM (2/04/2009)
Mobius, your idea is fine... but it just wouldn't be a Viper.
Viper has been about outrageous excess and total overkill since Day 1. To "go green" would be against everything it stands for.
It doesn't care about the environment.
It doesn't care about efficiency.
It doesn't care about being politically correct.
It cares only about one thing: brute force.
And that is exactly why it RULES.
IOMTT 10:24PM (2/04/2009)
@MajorGeek, I think the Viper is pretty cool. Since I know you own one, I have been dying to know why is it that only Viper drivers ever tried to mess with me on my motorcycle (typically 1000cc or bigger) on various occasions. Vettes, Porsches, Mustangs etc and so on never did. I was always happy to turn them into a speck in my mirror, but why only Vipers??? Just curious.
blahblahblahnewnameseverytime 9:57AM (2/05/2009)
I have to correct this. Excuse the caps. They are so other people notice. THE VIPER V10 IS NOT A TRUCK ENGINE FOR THE LAST TIME. This is as true as people saying pit bulls have lock jaw. Pit bulls do NOT have a locking jaw, neither does any other animal that has ever walked the face of the earth.
With that said. Mobius, you have to understand the origins of the viper and what it stands for. The viper is the sandpaper that goes against the grain. it went against all conventional wisdom, all modern developments, and did it with flying colors. Porsche engineers kept saying you couldn't make an over weight front engined car outhandle yadda yadda yadda. Well guess what, the viper raped, and has been raping the porsche since its inception. They have to penalize the hell out of racing vipers just so the imports can compete. Racing vipers run narrower tires, huge air restrictors, lead weights, etc. I would rather see the viper killed than see it was a small light weight engine. I agree the results could be very promising...but that isn't what the viper is about.
TO the H1 comment. I see where you are coming from but I still disagree. The H1 is not a poser. It is a $100k plus vehicle. The reason I say the H2 and H3 are poser vehicles is due to the owners. Who excessively name drop Hummer every where they go. I always here this when I valet, can you can get my "hummer". It is clear they use the name in an attempt to impress people. That is like me bragging to all these girls in a club that I have a ferrari, when the ferrari I have is a Mondial. They are thinking FERRARI..as in a newer, more expensive model. People with H2s namedropping hummer everywhere are attempting the create the impression they are driving this rare and very expensive machine, when in reality they are driving something lesser than an escalade. Which isn't saying much. That is my point.
Steve Lopez 9:56AM (2/04/2009)
Yes, I agree with all that.
Chrysler still needs and image making vehicle.
Keep the Viper and improve the overall quality. Small volume vehicles can still make a profit.
I would love to see the small concept Venom put into production with a 300hp 3.5 litre direct injection V6.
That could give really make it a competitor to the Honda S2000, the GM two seaters, etc.
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JC 10:39AM (2/04/2009)
The Viper is a phenomenal machine but it will not save Chrysler, Chrysler is already in its grave but they are delaying the burial with all the bailouts. They should sell the Viper and keep the machine alive before Chrysler shuts down and start liquidations.
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elindiano 10:46AM (2/04/2009)
i cant remember the last time i actually saw a viper.
the car sells about as well as hemroid creme.
Yes there is a small market for it, just like their is a small market for people who try to cram 50 quarter pounders out their poo shoot and wonder why something's irritated down there.
it has a use, however it is not Chrysler's biggest seller.
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71cuda 11:34AM (2/04/2009)
Nice anal fixation there.