Just released off-road PCM for Gen V

[F2V]

Let's hope they meant in that segment because if the Challenger is the new Halo car, then there goes any chance of the Viper getting the attention it needs from Dodge/Chrysler. With the Viper as a halo car, they (Dodge) can put money into the program and "show" the things that are possible from a performance division. If the Viper doesn't get the extra money for R&D, then how can they expect to see Viper compete with other cars in its' class? It would be nice if Dodge did the same HP challenge to the Sports Car segment that the Challenger just laid down with the Muscle car segment.We can only hope!

Wonder if Ralph's (savior of the G5) move out of Dodge/SRT, and replacement by a new Pres/CEO, has anything to do with the word "Halo" being bestowed on another Dodge/SRT car. Coincidence or foreboding? Anyway, I think the 700hp Challenger is very cool!! Now where ths hell is my PCM!!!

[Bruce H.]

I don't think "competing" in any class means beating every other competitor in every performance metric. While those stats are what gets the attention first in the rags, actual and qualified buyers in that class will have a broader view that looks way beyond those, and buy the car that best suits based on all of them. Others will continue to endlessly debate marketing efforts and performance stats on forums. It's basically the same for other brands and their forums.

Not sure how those who have to have the most power will ever be satisfied long-term...but I hope they find even a tiny bit of what I experience blasting around the road course where SRT focused their efforts brilliantly. I met a fellow from Arrow at VIR last week who was tuning 3 Viper race cars. He tuned the Mopar ECU, and told me it's a good improvement as the factory tune was compromised to meet emissions requirements. He highly recommended I get one once it clears the legal hurdles, and I'll definitely be getting one for bulletproof performance on the race track.

[ViperSmith]

I don't think "competing" in any class means beating every other competitor in every performance metric. While those stats are what gets the attention first in the rags, actual and qualified buyers in that class will have a broader view that looks way beyond those, and buy the car that best suits based on all of them. Others will continue to endlessly debate marketing efforts and performance stats on forums. It's basically the same for other brands and their forums.

Not sure how those who have to have the most power will ever be satisfied long-term...but I hope they find even a tiny bit of what I experience blasting around the road course where SRT focused their efforts brilliantly. I met a fellow from Arrow at VIR last week who was tuning 3 Viper race cars. He tuned the Mopar ECU, and told me it's a good improvement as the factory tune was compromised to meet emissions requirements. He highly recommended I get one once it clears the legal hurdles, and I'll definitely be getting one for bulletproof performance on the race track.

Well that and the Corsa exhaust

[ViperTony]

Wonder if Ralph's (savior of the G5) move out of Dodge/SRT, and replacement by a new Pres/CEO, has anything to do with the word "Halo" being bestowed on another Dodge/SRT car. Coincidence or foreboding?

Foreboding. For decades everyone at Chrysler/Dodge knew the Halo moniker was meant for and earned by the Viper. They all sang it there. So, yeah I'm quite certain this was a jab at not only Viper but the engineers behind Viper as well and Ralph specifically. Is it personal? I don't know but I think the internal HP war at Chrysler has officially begun and the 'Halo' jab is call out to the Viper team. The challenge has been issued.

[FLATOUT]

Do we really not think he was calling it the Halo of the Challenger line?

[ViperSmith]

Do we really not think he was calling it the Halo of the Challenger line?

People need to step back a bit and calm down. lol

[FLATOUT]

People need to step back a bit and calm down. lol

And although they can call it whatever they want, it's like comparing a Camaro/Vette, Mustang/Ford GT, Carrera GT/Panamera, Aventador/Gallardo. Even with similar performance these are all very different classes of cars with maybe the Aventador/Gallardo example being a stretch.

If you had a Hellcat and an SRT Viper in front of you, and you could take the keys to either one for free what do you think 90% of people would choose?

[Voice of Reason]

I'm not sure what to make of the 'Halo video'. It's like he rolled in on the shoot, told someone 'let's do this in one take, I got a tee time to make', shot from the hip for a minute and a half, dropped the mike and walked out like a boss. It didn't feel polished or rehearsed at all.

I guess I miss Ralph

[Steve M]

And although they can call it whatever they want, it's like comparing a Camaro/Vette, Mustang/Ford GT, Carrera GT/Panamera, Aventador/Gallardo. Even with similar performance these are all very different classes of cars with maybe the Aventador/Gallardo example being a stretch.

If you had a Hellcat and an SRT Viper in front of you, and you could take the keys to either one for free what do you think 90% of people would choose?

The Hellcat, only because 90% of Americans will go with whatever looks better on paper. That, and about that percentage of Americans can't fit in a Viper.

[Lawrenzo]

That, and about that percentage of Americans can't fit in a Viper.

What a bunch of lard asses we are. Present company not included of course.

[FLATOUT]

The Hellcat, only because 90% of Americans will go with whatever looks better on paper. That, and about that percentage of Americans can't fit in a Viper.

Really? You honestly believe that a free Challenger is more desirable to the general car going public than a free Viper? And I'm not talking about on paper, I mean in the parking lot right in front of your eyes.

[Steve M]

Really? You honestly believe that a free Challenger is more desirable to the general car going public than a free Viper? And I'm not talking about on paper, I mean in the parking lot right in front of your eyes.

Considering how many people I've met that don't even know what a Viper is, much less that they are making them again, I wouldn't be surprised.

[FLATOUT]

Considering how many people I've met that don't even know what a Viper is, much less that they are making them again, I wouldn't be surprised.

I guess, who knows.

[Troublemaker]

Foreboding. For decades everyone at Chrysler/Dodge knew the Halo moniker was meant for and earned by the Viper. They all sang it there. So, yeah I'm quite certain this was a jab at not only Viper but the engineers behind Viper as well and Ralph specifically. Is it personal? I don't know but I think the internal HP war at Chrysler has officially begun and the 'Halo' jab is call out to the Viper team. The challenge has been issued.

If this is indeed an internal HP war, that is good for everyone. I honestly just think that the company is doing what companies do, investing where they will see the most profit. I'm sure they are destined to sell more Hellcat Challengers than Vipers, it just makes good business sense to put the money there. The Halo car to me has always been about showcasing what a company can do, not about profit, where I believe the Viper fits in. I honestly hope they pull out all the stops and fit the Viper with DI and a dry sump while finding any HP they can anywhere else. The technology is within the company and aftermarket, they don't need to recreate the wheel.

[ViperSmith]

Considering how many people I've met that don't even know what a Viper is, much less that they are making them again, I wouldn't be surprised.

Please, most wouldn't be able to tell the difference between this car and a base Challenger.

To say people wouldn't find the Viper more appealing, on looks alone, is pure lunacy.

[Uncle Paul]

As a side note to this discussion.

Would it be a good idea for Dodge to offer two different V-10 engined Vipers.

One would be naturally aspirated (SRT) and designed for road racing. Kind of like the current 640 hp T/A ($100,000)

Second would be a supercharged/turbocharged model (GTS) that would be more of a touring/street fighter 900 hp ($140,000)

Would their be a market demand for these two Vipers.

[Steve M]

Please, most wouldn't be able to tell the difference between this car and a base Challenger.

To say people wouldn't find the Viper more appealing, on looks alone, is pure lunacy.

I don't think they would...now, if it was parked next to a Gen 3/4 Viper, the Viper would get the nod hands down.

[Chorps]

As a side note to this discussion.

Would it be a good idea for Dodge to offer two different V-10 engined Vipers.

One would be naturally aspirated (SRT) and designed for road racing. Kind of like the current 640 hp T/A ($100,000)

Second would be a supercharged/turbocharged model (GTS) that would be more of a touring/street fighter 900 hp ($140,000)

Would their be a market demand for these two Vipers.

They're not selling enough Vipers of any kind, period, let alone the overhead to sell two variants. The engineering costs and certifications would make this a non-starter.

The one thing that is killing the Viper is that the frame, engine and assembly plant are all for the Viper alone. All the costs for this have to borne by the handful of cars that are being sold now.

This is why the FirePower concept was always so critical to the survival of the Viper. Ideally, there should be a Hemi V8 with a Viper frame (entry level sports car) that competes with the Corvette, and a Challenger style coupe with a Viper V-10...call that the Barracuda. Exclusivity is fine when the car costs $300k, but the numbers the Viper is selling as an exclusive platform isn't working at $100k, or even $150k.

[ViperSmith]

I don't think they would...now, if it was parked next to a Gen 3/4 Viper, the Viper would get the nod hands down.

[Crotalidae]

I don't think they would...now, if it was parked next to a Gen 3/4 Viper, the Viper would get the nod hands down.

Lol...my wife still thinks the 3rd & fourth generation snakes look like vettes...Gen V better looks hands down...

[Shooter]

I don't think they would...now, if it was parked next to a Gen 3/4 Viper, the Viper would get the nod hands down.

I'm gonna have to say that ANY Gen Viper looks better then the rolling chicane known as...Challenger.

[HANKFAN]

As a side note to this discussion.

Would it be a good idea for Dodge to offer two different V-10 engined Vipers.

One would be naturally aspirated (SRT) and designed for road racing. Kind of like the current 640 hp T/A ($100,000)

Second would be a supercharged/turbocharged model (GTS) that would be more of a touring/street fighter 900 hp ($140,000)

Would their be a market demand for these two Vipers.

This in my opinion this would really help with sales. Also building an ACR and convertible would help as well!

[FLATOUT]

Agree who honestly thinks someone would pick a challenger over a Viper if both were free and right in front of them.

[Steve M]

Oh you guys make it too easy.

[Joel]

The Firepower was a beautiful car and I wish it had been made. The new Viper frame should have been made to accept the Hemi engine. I think the V10 in its present shape is nearing the end of the road as far as getting more EPA legal horsepower out of it. Asking that the chassis be improved over the years while not accepting any change in the engine makes no sense at all. The current Hemi engines make more horsepower than the legendary 426 Hemis. Was I sad to see the old Hemi go because of EPA? Yes, but the new engines are better in every single way. There is a limit to the current V10 design and it has probably been reached without spending vast amounts of money on a car that has sold less than 800 units. Meanwhile, Corvette has sold 13000 cars - not all the equal of Vipers but certainly enough cars to give GM plenty of money for engineering a better car. Time to consider other powerplants if the car is to stay at the top of its game.

They're not selling enough Vipers of any kind, period, let alone the overhead to sell two variants. The engineering costs and certifications would make this a non-starter.

The one thing that is killing the Viper is that the frame, engine and assembly plant are all for the Viper alone. All the costs for this have to borne by the handful of cars that are being sold now.

This is why the FirePower concept was always so critical to the survival of the Viper. Ideally, there should be a Hemi V8 with a Viper frame (entry level sports car) that competes with the Corvette, and a Challenger style coupe with a Viper V-10...call that the Barracuda. Exclusivity is fine when the car costs $300k, but the numbers the Viper is selling as an exclusive platform isn't working at $100k, or even $150k.