2012 Dodge Viper

2012 Dodge Viper

It had been exciting to hear that the Viper will be back, shortly after Dodge shifted its home base to Fiat ownership. And now we hear that the revived model, slated to reach dealers by 2012, will use some help from its parent company.
Dodge CEO Ralph Gilles has let it slip that the new Viper will use some assistance from Fiat while designing the chassis, but insists that the car is “not based on anything else”. This is only logical when one considers the reputation Fiat commands when it comes to the matter of tuning cars. It will also be easier on the budget if the Viper takes advantage of Fiat components.
The sports car however plans to choose its own platform over Fiat’s Ferraro or Alfa Romeo model lines. Gilles did accept that that Fiat will have a fair hand in the development of the engine options, with an 8.4-L V10 using the company’s MultiAir technology and an entry-level V8 being among the most probable ones.
Gilles revealed that he wants the new Viper to be a “more forgiving car to drive” and accessible to a wider customer base. His other concern was stability control, something that has always been amiss in high-performance Vipers.
This comes after reports that the new 2012 Dodge Viper would be based on the Alfa Romeo 8C or some other platform within the Fiat-Chrysler Group. The American sportscar had a few Viper enthusiasts scoffing off at its new Italian connection. The latest statements from Gilles will surely be appreciated by most as a keeping of the Viper sanctity.