2012 Dodge Viper: Ideal Versus Reality

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

When Chrysler Group CEO Sergio Marchionne unveiled the 2012 Dodge Viper to dealers at this week’s Florida dealer meeting, he introduced it with the following words [via Automotive News [sub]]

We had been debating this particular nameplate for a long time, and every time I just could not get there. And then one morning the product committee went into the dome and saw it, and we all knew we were in front of something magic, unique. It took less than five minutes for the committee to fund the initiative. Not a negative comment, not a remark, not a single question. And so I leave you with this. The 17th car in the lineup, in select dealers in 2012.

Based on Marchionne’s words as well as dealer reports that the concept “resembled the Alfa 8C Competizione, we’d like to believe that the 2012 Dodge Viper will look something like the recent Zagato Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa concept (above). In reality, however, it will probably more closely resemble the image after the jump.

Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • Wheeljack Wheeljack on Sep 17, 2010

    I gotta think that it will simply be a refresh of the existing car if they are going to keep the costs in line (and therefore the price point similar to the current car) and get it done in time to be ready for 2012.

  • 18726543 18726543 on Sep 18, 2010

    Considering the state that Chrysler is in, what the hell are they doing focusing money/engineers on a low-production, potentially zero-profit mobile like the Viper? The Viper always had a rather timeless look to it and people love it for what it is. I liken this to when I'm supposed to be studying for a test and instead I find myself killing an hour watching videos on youtube, or hell...scouring comments on ttac! Sure, I'll probably learn something while I'm here, but I'm relatively certain it won't benefit my over-all goal of passing my test!

  • Ajla On the Mach-E, I still don't like it but my understanding is that it helps allow Ford to continue offering a V8 in the Mustang and F-150. Considering Dodge and Ram jumped off a cliff into 6-cylinder land there's probably some credibility to that story.
  • Ajla If I was Ford I would just troll Stellantis at all times.
  • Ronin It's one thing to stay tried and true to loyal past customers; you'll ensure a stream of revenue from your installed base- maybe every several years or so.It's another to attract net-new customers, who are dazzled by so many other attractive offerings that have more cargo capacity than that high-floored 4-Runner bed, and are not so scrunched in scrunchy front seats.Like with the FJ Cruiser: don't bother to update it, thereby saving money while explaining customers like it that way, all the way into oblivion. Not recognizing some customers like to actually have right rear visibility in their SUVs.
  • MaintenanceCosts It's not a Benz or a Jag / it's a 5-0 with a rag /And I don't wanna brag / but I could never be stag
  • 3-On-The-Tree Son has a 2016 Mustang GT 5.0 and I have a 2009 C6 Corvette LS3 6spd. And on paper they are pretty close.
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