Dodge announces that the new Viper will come in 2012 12/06/2010
After a period of uncertainty, Dodge has announced that it will create a new model of the Viper in 2012.
Car & SUV reports that the new Viper will be completely redesigned, quashing rumors that the vehicle would be based on the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione.
Dodge CEO Ralph Gilles told the source that although the company would use the Alfa-owned Ferrari brand as a resource, they would avoid using any of its actual designs. "They really know sports cars," he said. "We just want some advice. Ferrari is Ferrari, Viper is Viper."
Discussing the ways in which the new Viper will be unique, Gilles said that "the Viper cabin is very rearward and the hood is very long, [and] few cars in the industry are designed that way anymore." He also did not rule out the possibility that the car would feature a new V-10 engine.
The upcoming model will also depart from the previous version's hardcore reputation. Gille said that the 2013 Viper will be "a more forgiving car to drive and accessible to more people."