Dodge Viper to end production in 2017
The Dodge Viper is set to end production according to details contained in a new contract between FCA and the US auto workers union (UAW).
LAUNCHED IN 1992, and refreshed in 1996, 2003 and 2008 before Chrysler’s bankruptcy put the brakes on the thing in 2010, it was relaunched in 2013 and then tweaked earlier this year with a special edition Viper American Club Racer (ACR) released. But the Viper has struggled to maintain sales due to its 2013 price increase and competition in the US.
Part of the agreement being voted on by UAW members in the coming week details the Dodge Viper, with FCA letting workers know it will cease production in 2017, but not before upgrading the Viper’s eight-speed automatic transmission for one last hurrah.
Currently the eight-speed transmission in the Viper is a Gen 1 unit and will be upgraded to Gen 2 specification and brought in line with other FCA vehicles using that eight-speed ‘box.
The 2016 Dodge Viper ACR copped a host of race-oriented specifications, including beefed up carbon ceramic brakes with six-piston callipers, a new body kit that offered up to 1 ton of downforce at full speed, adjustable suspension that allowed for three-inches of adjustment, and specifically designed Kumho tyres. The hand-built 8.4-litre V10 thumps out around 480kW and 800Nm of torque.
So, will anyone miss the end of the Dodge Viper, or is there plenty of other interesting metal to take its place?