NEW YORK MOTOR SHOW: Dodge teases all-new Viper
American carmaker provides the first glimpse of its next-generation V10-powered coupeDodge has provided the first peek at how its revamped Viper sportster will look via these teaser images of the next-gen V10 bruiser.
The new-age coupe – which will reportedly be renamed the Dodge SRT (for Street and Racing Technology) Viper – is due to make its public debut later this week at the New York motor show, where it’s sure to attract star billing.
The pics don’t give away too much, but the frontal rendering indicates Dodge isn’t straying too far from the brawny roots of the original Viper (which dates back to 1992).
The snout appears long and broad, while the twin-humped roof should provide adequate space for both driver and passenger to wear bash hats (in case track days are on the menu).
Among the new distinguishing features is a new “Stryker” snake logo, which earned its moniker at the 2010 Viper Owners Invitational in Salt Lake City, Utah. Stryker marks the first new Viper emblem since 2003 and is the third incarnation of the logo, following “Sneaky Pete” and “Fang”.
Dodge has so far been cagey about technical spec, but what we do know is that the new Viper will again feature a thumping V10 powerplant, and company boss Ralph Gilles had earlier stated the car will retain its unique architecture, rather than raiding the Fiat parts bin.
Some sources had previously speculated the Viper could borrow its platform from the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, but Gilles pointed out the proportions of the two vehicles are quite different.
“Where the cabin is, relative to the wheels, is unique. The Viper cabin is very rearward and the hood is very long. Few cars in the industry are designed with those proportions anymore,” he said.
Although the new Viper will clearly be evolutionary, Gilles promised, “There won’t be a part of the car that’s untouched”, and it’s possible the truck-derived V10 could be upgraded with Fiat’s Multiair induction technology.
The Fiat Group is also believed to have helped hone the hulking Viper’s dynamics as Gilles had earlier stated: “Fiat has an awesome ability to tune cars. I want the new Viper to be a more forgiving car to drive and accessible to more people. We’ve never had stability control on a high-performance car, which is about to happen on the new car.”
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