707 hp Challenger Hellcat....what is next for the Viper?

[viperprowler1]

Just announced that the new Challenger Hellcat is going to produce 707 hp and 650 lb ft of torque. Seems like they are going to have to tweak the Viper to at least exceed that output by a little if not a lot? Any thoughts?

[Bill Pemberton]

Naturally aspirated compared to boosted, an increase would seem likely , but difficult to be higher and meet EPA standards -- that has been the tough situation since 2006. At 675 or so, and weighing 700-800 lbs less that should satisfy anybody, imho , especially since it still would be King of the naturally aspirated motors.

[Steve M]

Having to qualify "King" with "of the naturally aspirated motors" is going to be a tough pill for new Viper owners to swallow. Yeah, the thing is the size of a tank, but I'd bet it will run pretty well with that 8-speed transmission.

I think it speaks volumes about the Viper's future...the plant shutdown after lackluster sales and the marketing push for this particular Challenger variant does not paint a pretty picture for the future of the Viper. The Viper's death may very well be caused by the thing that has really defined it: that big honkin V-10.

[IndyRon]

Having to qualify "King" with "of the naturally aspirated motors" is going to be a tough pill for new Viper owners to swallow. Yeah, the thing is the size of a tank, but I'd bet it will run pretty well with that 8-speed transmission.

I think it speaks volumes about the Viper's future...the plant shutdown after lackluster sales and the marketing push for this particular Challenger variant does not paint a pretty picture for the future of the Viper. The Viper's death may very well be caused by the thing that has really defined it: that big honkin V-10.

Very valid points....athough I'm still hoping for a Gen 5.5 ACR with concept drawing front end and 700+hp.

[viperprowler1]

IndyRon....my hopes exactly!!!!

Very valid points....athough I'm still hoping for a Gen 5.5 ACR with concept drawing front end and 700+hp.

[viperprowler1]

Naturally aspirated compared to boosted, an increase would seem likely , but difficult to be higher and meet EPA standards -- that has been the tough situation since 2006. At 675 or so, and weighing 700-800 lbs less that should satisfy anybody, imho , especially since it still would be King of the naturally aspirated motors.

Hi Bill...on another subject, how is the cleanup going at your dealerships? Mike

[Ripper]

Very valid points....athough I'm still hoping for a Gen 5.5 ACR with concept drawing front end and 700+hp.

+2 on that hope my friend !! Would be one heck of a car if so

[Joel]

Yes, simple thought is find a way to put this motor in the Viper. And don't say it can't be done. It should have been done in the first place.

Just announced that the new Challenger Hellcat is going to produce 707 hp and 650 lb ft of torque. Seems like they are going to have to tweak the Viper to at least exceed that output by a little if not a lot? Any thoughts?

[ACRucrazy]

Yes, simple thought is find a way to put this motor in the Viper. And don't say it can't be done. It should have been done in the first place.

No, the simple thought would be to find a way to put a similar supercharger onto the Viper V10.

[BlknBlu]

I would like to see the VIper remain naturally aspirated, but to keep the Viper as the Halo car make a limited run of SC cars with 750+ HP and a sticker price to match to keep the flagship on top and performance geared more towards long straight runs and let the ACR be the track monster it always has been. Just knowing the SC Viper would be the top of the heap for some applications would help the car a lot. Opening up for tuning and offer a SC as an aftermarket option from Dodge would increase sales. We all know the Viper lacks in aftermarket support.

Bruce

[slitherv10]

Their contemplating high 10's for the quarters with this car. mid to low tens with slicks. Now that is scary.

[J TNT]

Viper is approximately 1000 lbs lighter than the Hellcat and will not require as much Horsepower to go Fast

[Ripper]

I would like to see the VIper remain naturally aspirated, but to keep the Viper as the Halo car make a limited run of SC cars with 750+ HP and a sticker price to match to keep the flagship on top and performance geared more towards long straight runs and let the ACR be the track monster it always has been. Just knowing the SC Viper would be the top of the heap for some applications would help the car a lot. Opening up for tuning and offer a SC as an aftermarket option from Dodge would increase sales. We all know the Viper lacks in aftermarket support.

Bruce

This is the best idea yet.




I look at it this way. The Challenger and Viper are not meant to compete with each other.
They are built to compete in their perspective classes.
Challenger vs Mustang vs Camaro..... Viper vs ZR1 vs Porsche , etc.

Although obvious to most , others dwell on numbers alone.

Dodge is on their game.

They took a mediocore car here and took it above what everyone was or could have expected.
Some good shock and awe here. Great publicity for a car manufacturer

I can only hope the Viper will get some type of "step up in its game" Just as Bruce mentioned above.

[Schen]

The amount of comments I've read over the past two days are unreal! LOL People are worried about the Hellcat having 707HP? Embrace it. This is just the beginning.

As one said. Not to worry, what goes around comes around.

--RS

[67PLY]

Their contemplating high 10's for the quarters with this car. mid to low tens with slicks. Now that is scary.

Rumors being passed around by Modern Mopar magazine stated a 6 speed Hellcat made some passes a few weeks ago, off the trailer 11.01, 10.98, 10.92, then blew the clutch. 8 speed auto was said to be quicker, but no times were given.

[v10enomous]

As much as I love the GENV, one of the problems is that it's a dated design at a very high price point. The car was basically restyled and retrofitted with updated electronics and better quality materials and a few extra ponies. If they want to generate enthusiasm and sales, they need something all new and fresh while staying true to it's roots. If they just add more power the car will still be dogged by the automotive press with all of the standard negative Viper rhetoric. An all new design would be an opportunity to lose all of the negative aspects of the car's identity while retaining all of the great things. I say go big with the changes or go home otherwise they'll probably be just throwing good money after bad.

[XSnake]

Street Legal GTS-R clone would make everyone happy.

[HANKFAN]

I would like to see the VIper remain naturally aspirated, but to keep the Viper as the Halo car make a limited run of SC cars with 750+ HP and a sticker price to match to keep the flagship on top and performance geared more towards long straight runs and let the ACR be the track monster it always has been. Just knowing the SC Viper would be the top of the heap for some applications would help the car a lot. Opening up for tuning and offer a SC as an aftermarket option from Dodge would increase sales. We all know the Viper lacks in aftermarket support.

Bruce

You nailed it Bruce!

[Chorps]

You nailed it Bruce!

FCA should just make it like a kickstarter. 800hp+ supercharged Viper: If they get 750 orders with deposits of $25k then they will build up to 1500 of them. Otherwise they won't do it. Price would be $155k, TA equipment as base, optional add ons as per a GT. Carbon brakes please.

Money talks.

[viper04]

Rumors being passed around by Modern Mopar magazine stated a 6 speed Hellcat made some passes a few weeks ago, off the trailer 11.01, 10.98, 10.92, then blew the clutch. 8 speed auto was said to be quicker, but no times were given.

As we know with a tuner, pulley, and exhaust and this is a mid/low 10's car. Well done Dodge.

[dadstoy]

The amount of comments I've read over the past two days are unreal! LOL People are worried about the Hellcat having 707HP? Embrace it. This is just the beginning.

As one said. Not to worry, what goes around comes around.

--RS

Are you the RS on ChallengerTalk?

[Schen]

Are you the RS on ChallengerTalk?

No that's ResumeSpeed.

--RS

[dadstoy]

No that's ResumeSpeed.

--RS

I know his board name on challengertalk, was wondering if you were him based on your post here.

OK, cool,

[Shooter]

I know his board name on challengertalk, was wondering if you were him based on your post here.

OK, cool,

I remember him (Resume Speed) from my Cherokee SRT days. He is bang on when it comes to SRT info and knows what he is talking about.

[Chorps]

Everyone likes that the Hellcat ups the ante. Viper should have been there first. :P

http://www.corvetteforum.com/articles/hellcat/