Thursday 26th November 2009

No Ferrari-Viper Collaboration Planned

Dodge says it wants advice, not technology, from Ferrari

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No Ferrari motor for the Viper

Dodge has quashed rumours that the union of Fiat and Chrysler might bring anything in the way of meaningful collaboration between Ferrari and Viper, but not before fanning the flames of speculation for a while.

In a statement issued on Tuesday after the 2010 Dodge Viper ACR set a new lap record at Laguna Seca, Dodge brand chief Ralph Gilles 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."

But before you start to get wound up about the fascinating prospect of a Ferrari V8 or V12 motor in a Viper, or the horrific prospect of a Viper V10 in a Ferrari, it seems that Dodge is after information, not platform sharing.

Gilles revealed as much when US magazine Auto Week got in touch with him. "They really know sports cars. We just want some advice," said Gilles. "Ferrari is Ferrari, Viper is Viper. Please don't go there."

So there you have it - Viper will remain a deep-pan meat feast, while Ferrari will continue to be a thin-crust quattro formaggio, but Viper's oh-so American products might just get a spot of secret Italian seasoning.

[CypherP]

I'm pleased to be honest. Really can't think of any reason why a Ferrari engine would be a good idea in an american muscle car. The Viper V10 makes the car. To be honest, any inspiration other than aesthetically (largely interior), would be a bad move for Viper.

We all know the US don't build cars that corner particularly well and we have gotten used to it. Keep the V10 muscle as it is, I say.

[CypherP]

jayfish said:

CypherP said:

I'm pleased to be honest. Really can't think of any reason why a Ferrari engine would be a good idea in an american muscle car. The Viper V10 makes the car. To be honest, any inspiration other than aesthetically (largely interior), would be a bad move for Viper.

We all know the US don't build cars that corner particularly well and we have gotten used to it. Keep the V10 muscle as it is, I say.

This is the same car that in the article above is mentioned as having set the new lap record around one of the twistiest most challenging motor racing circuits in the world...have a word with yourself!

I'm well aware of this, but being the ACR is was built to handle that way. Any normal Viper/GM/US muscle car isn't built on handling ability as we all know. I was mainly aiming at the fact that throwing a Ferrari engine into a Viper would completely ruin the big, grunting muscle-car appeal. The ACR is very impressive and illustrates what an american performance car is actually capable of.