Chrysler's new leadership has decided to reinstate production of the Dodge Viper SRT 10. The sports car was put under the axe as part of the Chrysler bankruptcy filing earlier this year.
The decision is a blow to supercar manufacturer Devon Motorworks, which had offered $5.5 million for the Viper brand. The Devon GTX supposedly takes a large amount of influence from the Viper, and will be introduced at the 2009 Concours d'Elegance in Pebble Beach.
Chrysler Group, LLC, did not state why they are not putting a stop to Viper production in December, as previously announced. First introduced as a concept at NAIAS in 1989, the car got the greenlight in 1990 and went to market in 1992. The current model is the fourth generation, and uses an 8.4-liter V-10 engine that produces 600 hp and up to 560 ft-lb of torque. The car has a 0-60mph time of under four seconds, and goes from a standstill to 100mph and back to 0 in under 12.5 seconds.
But Dodge was only able to sell about 435 units in 2007, prompting then-Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli to put the brand up for sale. Nardelli confirmed this in 2008, telling American newspaper USA Today that any potential buyer would receive R&D and technological assistance from Chrysler, "in order to ensure a future for the Viper business and perpetuate the legacy of this great vehicle."
"The Dodge Viper has successfully captured the hearts and imagination of performance enthusiasts around the globe," said Dodge chief Mike Accavitti. "We're extremely proud that the ultimate American-built sports car with its world-class performance will live on as the iconic image leader for the Dodge brand."
To date, over 25,000 Dodge Viper units have hit the road. The hand-assembled car retails for about $88,000.
Dodge Viper SRT 10 Uncanceled
By Zack Newmark
July 13, 2009 4:02 PM
Filed Under: American, Dodge, Production
Press Release (Click to expand)
Dodge Viper SRT10 Will Live On
Chrysler Group LLC announced today that production will continue for the legendary Dodge Viper SRT10.
Originally slated to cease production in December 2009, the Chrysler Group Conner Avenue Assembly Plant - the exclusive home of Dodge Viper production since 1995 - will continue to build the V-10 powered sports car. Chrysler Group is no longer pursuing a sale of the Viper business assets.
"The Dodge Viper has successfully captured the hearts and imagination of performance enthusiasts around the globe," said Mike Accavitti, President and Chief Executive Officer, Dodge Brand. "We're extremely proud that the ultimate American-built sports car with its world-class performance will live on as the iconic image leader for the Dodge brand."
Introduced as a concept car in 1989 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the Dodge Viper was designed and engineered to test public reaction to the concept of a back-to-basics, high-performance, limited production sports car.
The reaction was so overwhelming that customer orders began to flow in even before the auto show was over. Chrysler Corporation immediately decided to determine the production feasibility on transforming the crowd-pleasing Dodge Viper show car into a limited-production sports car in no more than three years.
In May 1990, after months of intensive study and testing, Chrysler Corporation announced that the Dodge Viper, powered by an aluminum V-10 was a "go."
Dodge Viper production began in May 1992 at the New Mack Assembly Plant and was moved to Conner Avenue in October 1995. Viper V-10 engine production transferred from Mound Road Engine to Conner Avenue Assembly in May 2001. In 2008, Dodge introduced the all-new, fourth generation Dodge Viper SRT10. With more horsepower, more torque and more than 30 exterior and interior color combinations, the latest Viper gives enthusiasts the performance they expect on the track and off, with more factory customization options than before.
For 2009, the Dodge Viper SRT10 offers outrageous power, with an 8.4-liter, 600-horsepower (450 kW) V-10 engine contributing to blistering acceleration (0-60 mph in less than four seconds, 0-100-0 mph in the low 12-second range), setting an American sports car benchmark.
To date, more than 25,000 Dodge Vipers have been built.
Comments
Renegade
July 13, 2009 4:14 PM
fujiturbo
July 13, 2009 4:15 PM
astonmartindbrs09
July 13, 2009 6:10 PM
HEMI426
July 13, 2009 6:56 PM
dbehmoaras
July 13, 2009 8:47 PM
Xanavi23
July 13, 2009 11:01 PM
Great news WCF As for Devon, i see no reason they still can't make it. It may have had influences from the Viper but it wasn't a Viper, nor did it look the part. As for the engine, i don't see why Dodge would mind selling the Viper motor to Devon like AMG does for Zonda, i doubt Dodge would be opposed to making money, along with some restrictions of course. Go Viper and go Devon.
Long Live The Mighty Viper.
Edited by user on July 13, 2009 at 11:14 PM
Razz
July 14, 2009 12:19 AM
It might sound exagerate but, instead of making some crazy their own decisions, why don't they make a good poll (either on their sites, or with the help of some big no.s selling auto magazines) for their brands/models.
Based to the results they can have an ideea of what the people will buy in the future.
I think that Chrysler had bad cars always if u ask me, i never dreamed to buy myself a chrysler .. and i love cars, even the american ones.
The Viper should be mantained as a brand of its own, and instead of making some 20V 12000 cmc engines to burn the paint of the doors, they could work to the interiors, make some other contracts with suppliers of Audi let's say, or some other quality brand.
The ideal Chrysler LLC for me should have : Viper, 300C, Journey, Challenger, Wrangler, Grand Cherokee (why they produce also the cherokee i don't know) - less cars, maybe all with the same name/brand but more qualitative.
Xanavi23
July 14, 2009 4:42 PM
evile
July 16, 2009 4:30 PM
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