Dodge Viper Will Return in 2012 says CEO

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Dodge brand CEO Ralf Gilles has confirmed that the Viper will return in 2012 as a 2013 model year car.

Dodge recently ceased production of its halo sports car, while continuing on with certain development aspects, eventually showing a concept car to dealers at a recent national dealer meeting.

Gilles commented that the new Viper, “is not based on anything else,” and that, “There won’t be a part of the car that’s untouched.” That being said, the new Viper may do away with the previous model’s 6.4-liter V10 engine.

Gilles didn’t rule out the use of an engine from it’s new parent company Fiat, which owns Ferrari, but said the next Viper won’t just borrow a powerplant. He did say that the long hood with the cabin near the rear of the car would change.

Previous reports had suggested the car would just be a version of the Alfa Romeo 8C (itself based on the same chassis as the Ferrari California and Maserati GranTurismo), and while there will be some similarities, the proportions will be different.

The goal, says Gilles, will be to make the Dodge brand’s new halo model more accessible. That being said, it will be easier to drive and more forgiving – including having, for the first time, stability control.