AS THE DUST settles around the Fiat and Chrysler alliance and the recently revealed plans for the US carmaker’s future, rumours that Ferrari will play a role in the development of the next generation Viper have begun to surface.
Dodge brand chief Ralph Gilles confirmed this week that while the next generation Viper may benefit from Maranello’s knowledge and experience, no platforms or technology will be shared between the two.
Gilles added fuel to the fire earlier this week when, in a statement following a record Laguna Seca lap by the Dodge Viper ACR, he said “When we have partners across the ocean who are known as the best sports-car makers in the world, the future opportunities are huge.”
In a later talk with US magazine Auto Week, Gilles qualified Dodge’s position.
“They really know sports cars. We just want some advice,” Gilles said. “Ferrari is Ferrari, Viper is Viper. Please don’t go there.”
The current generation Viper is due to be retired around the middle of next year, and a replacement is not expected until later in 2012.
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Id rather not see them share anything, all the diluting between auto makers products makes me sick. The Dodge Viper ACR is faster around the ring than any Ferrari, so I don’t think Dodge need Ferraris help at all. Also even though the Viper runs a truck V10 it’s a hell of a lot stronger than the exotic engines Ferrari builds that constantly blow up on the street and in competition
Ferrari engines blow up?
Where did this bit of wisdom come from?
One’s a F1 winner.
Nothing wrong with the viper no, but some weight saving and engine work would b good.