In an interview with Viper Magazine, Chrysler’s SRT Brand President and CEO Ralph Gilles announced that the long awaited new generation of the Dodge Viper will be officially unveiled at the New York International Auto Show (April 6-15). Apparently - in contrast with some early reports - the new version of the famous supercar will not be as brutal as its predecessors, in an attempt to appeal to a wider share of the market. However, no official data or specs about the new model have been released so far.

Rumor has it that the next Viper will be powered by a 8.7-litre V10 unit - which would be the the biggest production engine ever to carry a Dodge badge - but it is still unclear whether it will use Fiat’s Multi-Air technology or not. Its output should be somewhere in the 700 hp area, although it will be limited by the ESP. Many other rumors surround the development of this model (some say it will use Maserati Granturismo’s frame, some say it will make large use of Ferreri technology and so on), way too many: we think there is no point in speculating over what cannot be confirmed just yet. Let’s just wait and see.

via | Autoblog.com

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Chrysler’s subsidiary Mopar decided to take Dodge Viper’s already terrifying 8.4-litre V10 and turn it into a drag-racing engine, and the result is an incredible 800 hp/940 Nm unit which is now on display at the 2011 SEMA. Aluminum block and cylinder heads, forged steel crankshaft and connecting rods and forged aluminum pistons are the most relevant features of this engine, which has been specifically developed to compete in drag racing.

Moper also confirmed that Viper’s standard 8.4 litre V10 will be subjected to further developments in order to make several different versions, including one suitable for off-road vehicles. Dodge Viper’s production is currently on hiatus as a new version of the mighty model is currently in the works, but it is nice to know that the heart of the last model will keep on pulsing in different guises.

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According to Allpar.com, the development of Dodge Viper’s next generation is going in the opposite direction of what all the modern trends of the industry would dictate. It is reported that the new Viper - which is expected to debut in 2012 as a model year 2013 - will use a bigger version of its signature V10 engine, going from the current 8.4 litre displacement to an unprecedented 8.7. The famous American coupe will also feature many technical upgrades, while the adoption of Fiat’s MultiAir system is yet to be confirmed.

With an extra 0,870 cc per cylinder (or, as the Americans say, 0,531 cubic inches) this engine is bound the become the biggest engine that Chrysler ever put on a production car. The power delivered should be in the 700hp area, although - unlike all previous versions - an ESP system will put a bridle on all that might. Rumor has it that a V8 version - probably equipped with Hemi 6,4 litre engine powering both Chrysler 300 SRT8 and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 - is also in the works, but no confirmation on the subject has been released so far.

Picture | Autoblog.it

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As Bob Nardelli revealed at the end of August, production lines of the Dodge Viper won’t be on the agenda of strategic plans for the American group. Jim Press has also reinforced this, saying however, that there’s plenty of interest from other groups who may want to take on the model - and the names dropped leave hope for the future of this supercar.

At the front of the queue is apparently Roush and Saleen, the latter being involved in the current Viper production on the finishing stages of the paint work. To complete the closure, by 2011, Chrysler has also contacted Lazard Ltd. as financial advisor. Estimates should see the company receive around 50 million dollars from the operation.

Jim Press has also revealed that the hand-built takes efforts away from more profitable, low-cost productions though it will be a shame to see such an incredible coupè and roadster disappear.

Source | CarAndDriver

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