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2013 Dodge Viper first photo

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,402
8,574
126
hasn't merc been selling the viper as the SLS for a couple years now?
 

punjabiplaya

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 2006
3,495
1
71
and let the PR campaign begin

but yeah, that thing looks hot (it helps that your brain fills in the rest with bits of previous Vipers)
 
Mar 11, 2004
23,444
5,852
146
hasn't merc been selling the viper as the SLS for a couple years now?

Allegedly, that's what the new Viper would have been, but I'm not sure how much of that will be in the new one as I believe Dodge said they were going to either start from scratch (post the breakup from Mercedes) or basically tweak the previous car more. My guess is its the latter since its a pretty short time frame from when they stopped.

Really the SLS is what'd you expect if the Viper came with a Mercedes badge (more refined). If the new Viper is that but with a 700hp V10, and looks like a mix of the first two iterations of the car (with maybe a bit of the Alfa 8C's flamboyant curves thrown in) then oh yes.

I used to be a huuuuge Viper fanboy growing up. As I matured I kinda lost that, especially when the new one came out. I only really started to like the new one when they added the huge hood vents and bumped it to 600hp.

Oh, I really miss the intake runners from the original. I wish they'd dress up the engine like that.

Personally, I could live with a change from the V10 (although I love the V10), and I could even live with them "civilizing" it by adding a good dual clutch performance gearbox (although if they did that I'd really wish that they would do everything possible to make it seem like you're shifting a manual and not have steering wheel paddles, basically make it work like a sequential manual, but can be automatic when you want it to be) and traction control system (that you can turn off). Just make it fairly light (sub 3500lbs), 2 door, aggressive looking, with a ton of power (especially torque) driving massive rear wheels with huge brakes to match.

I actually expect they'll start out a little north of the 600hp from the previous car (or maybe just get the torque back to higher than the hp), and then maybe later in an update bump it closer to 700.
 

Ancalagon44

Diamond Member
Feb 17, 2010
3,274
202
106
I'm thinking 3 cylnder turbo hybrid. Great mileage.

Jokes hopefully still the classic Lambo inspired V10.
 

Doppel

Lifer
Feb 5, 2011
13,306
3
0
Are you really talking about that image that is all black with a few white lines? That is hardly a picture of anything!
 

Elganja

Platinum Member
May 21, 2007
2,143
24
81
Allegedly, that's what the new Viper would have been, but I'm not sure how much of that will be in the new one as I believe Dodge said they were going to either start from scratch (post the breakup from Mercedes) or basically tweak the previous car more. My guess is its the latter since its a pretty short time frame from when they stopped.

Really the SLS is what'd you expect if the Viper came with a Mercedes badge (more refined). If the new Viper is that but with a 700hp V10, and looks like a mix of the first two iterations of the car (with maybe a bit of the Alfa 8C's flamboyant curves thrown in) then oh yes.

I used to be a huuuuge Viper fanboy growing up. As I matured I kinda lost that, especially when the new one came out. I only really started to like the new one when they added the huge hood vents and bumped it to 600hp.

Oh, I really miss the intake runners from the original. I wish they'd dress up the engine like that.

Personally, I could live with a change from the V10 (although I love the V10), and I could even live with them "civilizing" it by adding a good dual clutch performance gearbox (although if they did that I'd really wish that they would do everything possible to make it seem like you're shifting a manual and not have steering wheel paddles, basically make it work like a sequential manual, but can be automatic when you want it to be) and traction control system (that you can turn off). Just make it fairly light (sub 3500lbs), 2 door, aggressive looking, with a ton of power (especially torque) driving massive rear wheels with huge brakes to match.

I actually expect they'll start out a little north of the 600hp from the previous car (or maybe just get the torque back to higher than the hp), and then maybe later in an update bump it closer to 700.

that describes me to a T
 

RearAdmiral

Platinum Member
Jun 24, 2004
2,280
135
106
Allegedly, that's what the new Viper would have been, but I'm not sure how much of that will be in the new one as I believe Dodge said they were going to either start from scratch (post the breakup from Mercedes) or basically tweak the previous car more. My guess is its the latter since its a pretty short time frame from when they stopped.

Really the SLS is what'd you expect if the Viper came with a Mercedes badge (more refined). If the new Viper is that but with a 700hp V10, and looks like a mix of the first two iterations of the car (with maybe a bit of the Alfa 8C's flamboyant curves thrown in) then oh yes.

I used to be a huuuuge Viper fanboy growing up. As I matured I kinda lost that, especially when the new one came out. I only really started to like the new one when they added the huge hood vents and bumped it to 600hp.

Oh, I really miss the intake runners from the original. I wish they'd dress up the engine like that.

Personally, I could live with a change from the V10 (although I love the V10), and I could even live with them "civilizing" it by adding a good dual clutch performance gearbox (although if they did that I'd really wish that they would do everything possible to make it seem like you're shifting a manual and not have steering wheel paddles, basically make it work like a sequential manual, but can be automatic when you want it to be) and traction control system (that you can turn off). Just make it fairly light (sub 3500lbs), 2 door, aggressive looking, with a ton of power (especially torque) driving massive rear wheels with huge brakes to match.

I actually expect they'll start out a little north of the 600hp from the previous car (or maybe just get the torque back to higher than the hp), and then maybe later in an update bump it closer to 700.

Changing from the V10? Blasphemy. A dual cluth paddle box? ewww....blasphemy. It is depressing enough that they are forced to stuff in the traction/stability controls. An automatic Viper would make me vomit. At least the value of my old man and I's would go up then.
 

Ferzerp

Diamond Member
Oct 12, 1999
6,438
107
106
You guys realize that a well made semi-automatic transmission (with flappy paddles, or other shifter) will out perform even the fastest shifting human at this point, along with supporting an automatic mode for when you want to casually drive? (albeit jerkily at low speeds)

The slowest part in these systems is the reaction time of the person.
 
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overst33r

Diamond Member
Oct 3, 2004
5,761
12
81
You guys realize that a well made semi-automatic transmission (with flappy paddles, or other shifter) will out perform even the fastest shifting human at this point, along with supporting an automatic mode for when you want to casually drive? (albeit jerkily at low speeds)

The slowest part in these systems is the reaction time of the person.

No one is disputing that.

The Viper has never been about refinement/speed/optimization. It's been about raw-no-nanny-having-badassness while having full control.
 

manimal

Lifer
Mar 30, 2007
13,559
8
0
No one is disputing that.

The Viper has never been about refinement/speed/optimization. It's been about raw-no-nanny-having-badassness while having full control.

Exactly. If they nannied it up like a mclaren they would have to call it something else.

I like flappies in a GT car or even an extreme performance platforms like the GTR but certain cars need to stay old school. Dont forget how awful seq transmissions are in traffic.
 
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Viper GTS

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
38,107
433
136
I'm quite pleased to see that it looks a lot like a Gen 2. That is a good sign, I think.

And for those who "matured" out of your love of Vipers - Way to give up.

Viper GTS
 

Ferzerp

Diamond Member
Oct 12, 1999
6,438
107
106
No one is disputing that.

The Viper has never been about refinement/speed/optimization. It's been about raw-no-nanny-having-badassness while having full control.


There is an upper limit to what people can drive without some level of assists. There is little reason to keep building beyond that point when no one can take advantage of it. (Think early vs. modern military jet).

Give the option to configure them (street, sport, racing modes, etc), yes, but they need to be present for when you want to use them.
 
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Viper GTS

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
38,107
433
136
There is an upper limit to what people can drive without some level of assists. There is little reason to keep building beyond that point when no one can take advantage of it. (Think early vs. modern military jet).

While I have no doubt that traction and stability control could potentially keep a lot of Vipers out of ditches/off of trees the reality is that:

1) Most people who will buy Vipers will happily turn it off
2) When driven responsibly the Viper is remarkably docile

I bought my first Viper (a Gen 2 RT/10) last year, & was expecting to be terrified of it for a while. After putting new tires on it I am anything but. It has far more grip than you can reasonably use on the street, it's far easier to break my Mustang loose than it is the Viper.

They are not nearly the death-defying stunt to drive that magazines/Top Gear would lead you to believe. I'm sure they're hairy at the edge but nobody has any business driving like that on the street. Yes, obviously some will. But assists can't make up for the stupidity of middle age men.

[EDIT]Please note that I am not suggesting that "responsible" means boring. I hit WOT every chance I get. The majority of the fun can be had below the speed limit, and without wheelspin.[/EDIT]

Viper GTS
 
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RearAdmiral

Platinum Member
Jun 24, 2004
2,280
135
106
While I have no doubt that traction and stability control could potentially keep a lot of Vipers out of ditches/off of trees the reality is that:

1) Most people who will buy Vipers will happily turn it off
2) When driven responsibly the Viper is remarkably docile

I bought my first Viper (a Gen 2 RT/10) last year, & was expecting to be terrified of it for a while. After putting new tires on it I am anything but. It has far more grip than you can reasonably use on the street, it's far easier to break my Mustang loose than it is the Viper.

They are not nearly the death-defying stunt to drive that magazines/Top Gear would lead you to believe. I'm sure they're hairy at the edge but nobody has any business driving like that on the street. Yes, obviously some will. But assists can't make up for the stupidity of middle age men.

[EDIT]Please note that I am not suggesting that "responsible" means boring. I hit WOT every chance I get. The majority of the fun can be had below the speed limit, and without wheelspin.[/EDIT]

Viper GTS

One has to be totally irresponsible to wreck their Viper. You have to really mean it to go quick in one. It is as easy to drive as my wrx when just cruising around. I was really surprised at how much of an a-hole you have to act like to wreck one of them like people do.

I would die on the inside if this turned into a nanny mobile with old dudes driving it like a corvette.

If you want to be quick in one of these cars you have to be good at driving. This is why the car is breaking lap records while people still bash it for being slow and not being able to turn. It's not a GTR auto pilot mobile. It is ridiculously fast and only masters of their craft can harness it to the full potential. It is a never ending quest for us non racecar drivers.

I'm sad Ferzerp thinks paddle shifters could be used in this car.
 

RearAdmiral

Platinum Member
Jun 24, 2004
2,280
135
106
While I have no doubt that traction and stability control could potentially keep a lot of Vipers out of ditches/off of trees the reality is that:

1) Most people who will buy Vipers will happily turn it off
2) When driven responsibly the Viper is remarkably docile

I bought my first Viper (a Gen 2 RT/10) last year, & was expecting to be terrified of it for a while. After putting new tires on it I am anything but. It has far more grip than you can reasonably use on the street, it's far easier to break my Mustang loose than it is the Viper.

They are not nearly the death-defying stunt to drive that magazines/Top Gear would lead you to believe. I'm sure they're hairy at the edge but nobody has any business driving like that on the street. Yes, obviously some will. But assists can't make up for the stupidity of middle age men.

[EDIT]Please note that I am not suggesting that "responsible" means boring. I hit WOT every chance I get. The majority of the fun can be had below the speed limit, and without wheelspin.[/EDIT]

Viper GTS


P.S. lets meet up and viper cruise.