Saying goodbye to your favorite sports car model can be painful, especially those steeped in history. But saying hello to a sexy newcomer can get anyone’s motor revving. In 2017 car lovers will experience both sides of the emotional spectrum, as we bid adieu to the Dodge Viper and say a hearty hello to the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon. I spoke to Richard Reina, product training director at CARiD, to get his thoughts on the end of an era and the new beauty we were all recently introduced to.
Hard to Say Goodbye
For years, the Chevrolet Division of General Motors laid claim to production of “America’s only sports car, the Corvette”. It was true that the Corvette was a high-performance 2-seat sports car, which saw continuous improvement through its generations. At the same time, many viewed the ‘Vette as heavy, slow, and outdated, especially compared to some European and Asian competition.
In the late 1980s, The Chrysler Corporation brought out a teaser: an American sports car which competed with, but also one-upped the Corvette. The Dodge Viper eschewed most creature comforts in exchange for something the Corvette could not offer: TWO more cylinders, in the form of a V-10 engine. Response from the public was overwhelmingly positive. The car went into production, but was always a low-volume niche seller. Nevertheless, Chrysler, going through many disruptive changes itself, continued to re-create the Viper.
After first announcing that Viper production would end in 2010, only to bring back a 2013 model, the company now called FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) announced that Viper production would end in 2017. Reasons cited include low sales, and increased difficulty in meeting government safety standards.
Let’s say goodbye to the Dodge Viper with some fun facts and a stroll down memory lane:
- The Viper concept debuted at the Detroit Auto Show in 1989, and a pre-production model paced the 1991 Indy 500.
- The first Vipers went on sale to the public as 1992 models, all with a Lamborghini-designed V10 engine.
- Initially, the cars were low-spec: no outside door handles, side windows, A/C, and no “nanny controls” such as ABS or traction control.
- Second-generation cars were built from 1996-2002, with hp raised to 415, impressive for its day. A coupe version was also available.
- Third-gen cars were made from 2003-2006, with engine size bumped up to 8.3L. Power now reached the magical 500 hp number.
- The 2007 model year was skipped, and the 4th generation cars debuted in 2008. The 8.4L engine now produced 600 horsepower!
- Dodge announced that the 2010 model year of this 4th gen car would be the end of the road for the Viper.
- In September of 2010, Chrysler revealed a 2012 Viper prototype- the Viper was back, but as an “SRT Viper”.
- This 5th generation car went on sale as a 2013 model, with 640 hp.
- By 2015, the SRT brand was eliminated, and the Viper was a Dodge again.
- For its final year, there will be numerous Special Edition Vipers, all produced in limited numbers.
Hello Beautiful
All of the Big 3 car makers (GM, Ford, and Chrysler) keep producing sporting machines with ever-increasing horsepower. Chrysler might be third in sales compared to its domestic competitors, but it still churns out the high-horsepower models.
In 2015, Chrysler introduced the Hellcat engine, available in the Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger. This 6.2L supercharged hemi engine produces 707 horsepower, the most powerful engine ever used in a domestic muscle car.
We now learn that the 707-hp Hellcat isn’t enough. Teasers coming out of Dodge indicate a new model, the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon, will be launched later in 2017 and will be positioned “above the Hellcat.” While actual specs and pricing have not been revealed, it’s obvious that the quest for sports car supremacy continues!
What do we know about this new beauty?
- The 2015 Hellcat Hemi engine, at 707 horsepower, is the most powerful engine ever produced by Chrysler.
- The initial announcement stated that the Demon would be placed above the Hellcat, presumably by having more horsepower.
- The Demon might be built on what is called the “widebody” Challenger.
- Along with higher horsepower, the Demon is expected to shed upwards of 200 lbs., and have steering and suspension improvements.
- The increased power and reduced weight have fed the rumor mill to predict a goal of a ¼ mile time below 10 seconds!
- The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is expected to make its debut at the 2017 New York Auto Show, to be held in April.
It’s always hard to say goodbye to one love, but replacing it with a younger, sexier model isn’t a bad way to recover right?