Fans of the Dodge Viper have probably only just stopped sobbing upon the 2017 announcement that the V10 sports coupe would not be renewed for a new generation, effectively ending the model’s run that started in 1992 and spawned three generations.
However, a new report from Car and Driver suggests that the Viper may indeed be headed toward a 2020 rebirth under a Dodge brand that’s more and more leaning into its status as the premier purveyor of brash American muscle.
That said, due to certain constraints, the next car could come with a few caveats, chief among which being the engine. With a minimum capacity of 8-litres since inception, the naturally aspirated aluminium V10 engine has been its defining characteristic, but expect this expensive motor to be swapped out for a slightly more sensible (and shared) HEMI V8 shared with the rest of FCA’s high performance portfolio.
Reportedly, the engine will remain an atmospheric, and will be good for at least 550hp (410kW) in its base tune. Latterly, the car will be fitted with more powerful supercharged versions of the engine paired with more aggressive suspension and other performance enhancements, with power and torque matching roughly with the upcoming Dodge Challenger Hellcat.
In terms of its stylistic cues, this purported all-new Viper will retain much of the cues established by the 1992 original and only mildly altered until its 2017 demise - meaning a long bonnet to house its big V8 mounted behind the front axle, and rear drive layout with a strict two-occupant capacity.
Being a more modern interpretation of the Viper and the fact that it will feature less power than the standard engine used previously, it will be built upon a new architecture that will make use of lighter material and construction to bring its kerb weight well below where it stood previously Expect plenty of aluminium, carbon fibre, and magnesium.
Hopefully the prospect of a new space frame chassis could translate into a right-hand drive version being developed for overseas markets from the get-go. Ahem.
When it does go on sale, assuming it ever will, it will face competition from the likes of possible mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette along with its more traditional front-engine counterpart, and Ford would have rolled out its most powerful road car yet in the form of the Mustang Shelby GT500.
The Viper would likely be positioned as a serious sports car to contrast against the Challenger’s blue-collar brute persona, pairing a thumping American engine with world-class dynamic ability, the kind that would lend it appeal beyond US shores.
Should this report prove accurate and its sourcing reliable, we can somewhat safely predict that a prototype could be shown to the public at the Detroit Motor Show in early 2019.
