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Ralph Gilles Confirms 2013 Dodge Viper

 
15 7,619 views Dec 1, 2010
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2010 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR-X

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  • 2010 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR-X
  • 2010 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR-X
  • 2010 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR-X
  • 2010 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR-X
  • 2010 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR-X

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The Dodge Viper died a quick and ignominious death shortly after Fiat partnered with Chrysler, though even then there was talk that the car would be revived for 2012. With production at the car’s Conner Avenue assembly plant finally coming to an end earlier this year, all eyes have shifted towards the launch of the next iteration of the car and the man who will make it happen, Dodge boss Ralph Gilles.

Previously, Gilles boasted that the Viper would be back in 2012, infused with Fiat Group DNA--think Alfa Romeo, Maserati and Ferrari--and most likely a lighter chassis and more fuel efficient powertrain. Gilles has now gone a step further, confirming that the Dodge Viper will return in the summer of 2012 as a 2013 model.


Speaking with The Detroit News, Gilles explained that the new Viper "is not based on anything else," quashing speculation that the car will share its underpinnings with a Ferrari model or the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione.

"Where the cabin is, relative to the wheels, is unique," said Gilles who is also head of design. "The Viper cabin is very rearward and the hood is very long. Few cars in the industry are designed with those proportions anymore."

One thing’s for certain, the 640 horsepower 8.4-liter V-10 of the current model will be replaced with a new engine. "There won't be a part of the car that's untouched," Gilles said. There’s no official word on what this new engine will be but there’s rumor that it will be a variation of Chrysler’s new 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 but with some form of forced induction.

The other major change is that the new Viper will be a softer and more forgiving beast. “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," Gilles revealed.

We’ll keep you updated on news of the 2013 Dodge Viper as it breaks.

Pictured above is the 2010 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR-X that was unveiled back at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. Built specifically with road courses in mind, the ACR-X offers the best of the Viper ACR with some of the performance enhancements of the Viper Competition Coupe and some extra safety gear.

[The Detroit News]





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Comments (15)

  1. ink cartridges Posted: 11/29/2009 7:00pm PST

    Finally someone with some sense. If it wasn't a revival of the viper it would have been the introduction of another sports car. What they should do is use the viper platform as an engineering showcase, and use it as a framework for some new technology that they could bring to their other cars. Long live the viper.
     
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  2. NoNameDenton Posted: 2/11/2010 6:02pm PST

    Smart move, they may not sell many of these but it is a good halo car for the company, I just would like to see some Ferrari involvment in development, keep the OHV V10, but in other areas.
     
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  3. Zandit Posted: 2/11/2010 6:51pm PST

    "Gilles has now gone a step further by showing design sketches of a potential future Viper"
    Do we have pics of these so-called sketches? Would love to see them!
     
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  4. Chuckie Posted: 2/12/2010 5:41am PST

    " infused with Fiat Group DNA--think Alfa Romeo, Maserati " I sure as 4ell hope not. Gilles I feel for you guys. I know your hands are tied. I guess just make the best of it. At your first chance to ditch em (Fiat) I say do it asap.
     
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  5. Shappy Posted: 2/12/2010 8:52am PST

    Well, for all those who know how the ball rolls on the great nine, the Viper is made of the top of the line linkages and if they put a lil Alfa Gay-o in it, its gonna juice up the expedites and lower the flats. I mean come on people. That's like masking a Markus with a Sally on an ice rink. No one will know whats going on. You gotta let go off your past anger at the tire companies and produce a fine automobile; without the semi-charmed liquid that we all know we don't really need. I've been around for quite some time and I know when I see a hippo slapping a peach tree. So come on Chrysler, get your shiza together and make me a viper.
     
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  6. Chris Posted: 2/12/2010 10:12am PST

    Shappy that was the greatest comment I have ever read.
     
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  7. Roy Posted: 2/12/2010 11:29am PST

    Chappies, the Viper only exists because Chrysler collaborated with some of the best names in the business. The original Viper would never have been built if Lamborghini hadn't made the engine light enough. Ten years later, the most significant revisions made to the car required some pretty hardcore engineering from the guys at Daimler-Benz.
    Domestic manufacturers just don't have a lot of experience making things lighter, but lighter cars are usually more fun.
     
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  8. Billy Posted: 2/12/2010 3:51pm PST

    Roy we the USA make the fastest cars on the planet, what does it matter
    2000 lbs or 5000lbs
     
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  9. fb_100000275684479 avatar Michael Escobar Posted: 2/13/2010 7:32pm PST

    Well, now we know how the world will end in 2012: the sheer torque from the 2012 Viper will tear a gash in the Earth's crust, letting the mantle and core gush out. Bring it on!!!
     
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  10. NoNameDenton Posted: 2/13/2010 8:16pm PST

    You're not more than one generation away from poor white trash.
     
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  11. NoNameDenton Posted: 2/14/2010 1:46am PST

    I did not post that white trash comment
     
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  12. Bert Posted: 2/14/2010 3:59pm PST

    It would be great to see an Italian engined Chrysler on this side of the pond once again.This one should probably be a quick one too.
    Thanks, Bert
     
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  13. T Raman Posted: 12/1/2010 9:40am PST

    I hope the future Viper is a V 10 as well. Not that Chrysler - Ferrari could not build a great forced induction V 8, but for tradition's sake. In any case, this will be a great inspirational car to look forward to.
     
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  14. Bill Burke Posted: 12/1/2010 11:28am PST

    Personally, I had little doubt a new Viper would be designed and built. Dodge has hit the "mother load" with the Viper brand in image and recognition. As nice as the Corvette is, it just doesn't carry the same raw impact of a Viper. At local car shows, 'Vettes are generally given a casual look, Vipers draw ohhs and ahhs.That's a hard earned image that promotes the central theme of the Dodge brand PERFORMANCE! Enter Charger, Avenger and Challenger.
    Make no mistake, Fiat had to have a hand in approving this decision and a little bit of Ferrari is bound to trickel into this new snake. Chrysler and Fiat (Ferrari) have built a strong reputation in various forms of racing that put them at the forefront of their racing catagories as leaders in engineering and performance. The Viper churns the blood of these proud companies and with their similar blood lines, the Viper was a certainty. This new Viper should be unbelievable. Poor 'ol Chevy!
     
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  15. JuNiOR Posted: 12/1/2010 12:57pm PST

    Well we had a hint of what Mercedes would have done with the new Viper the SLS 63 now with a little Italian Ferrari/Fiat input detuned and lighter this sounds real exciting!!!
     
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