Location: Tallahassee, Florida (Home is Ft Myers, FL)
Posts: 19,358
Viper rumor...
I dunno if anyone has heard... But I read the Viper will still be on the ZB platform and will have a new 8.4L V10... I will not be a new gen, but it will have new "skin"... I dunno what that means...
The new "skin" reffers to some drastic improvements in aerodynamics. I've heard of the 8.4L and the ZB platform going into effect. Dodge really is going to change the Viper tremendously. So long Vettes/GT!
that "lil ol V8" isnt so little anymore you know... its now a 7 liter, way up from the original 5.7 that it used to be and catching up in size to the Viper. I just got through putting one on Ebay and I must say between it and the '06 coupe that we just had , this Vette is pretty sweet. All the creature comforts and extremely fast. One thing I have noticed is that it seems that Chevy has learned things from the Viper... one such thing is that now the Vette motor and driveability feel more Viper like in that it has a less refined, more harsh ride with instant throttle response kind of reminding me of the Gen 1 & 2 Vipers. This is something that is being lost in the Gen 3 Vipers, they are trying to play up to the way the Vettes feel... its a topsy turvy world.
Location: Tallahassee, Florida (Home is Ft Myers, FL)
Posts: 19,358
RE: Viper rumor...
Still? It's only the first time ever that the Vette had caught up with the Viper, so Dodge is taking drastic measures to make sure it doesn't happen again for a while...
I hope they do, it is a damn shame to be beatin' out by a Chevy! We will just have to wait till later on this year or the beginning of next before we start to get spy pics, performance stats or something of the next Gen's.
Still? It's only the first time ever that the Vette had caught up with the Viper, so Dodge is taking drastic measures to make sure it doesn't happen again for a while...
Actually, the last 2-3 years the Vette has really had the Viper. The fact of the matter is, I can do more with a Vette for about 20 grand less then you can get out of a stock Viper. Also, I wouldnt put much faith in Dodge when it comes to the Viper. They've been doing the Dog & Pony show for far too long...and they finally have been passed up by both Chevy & Ford.
You are also comparing apples to oranges, as Chevy has made their car superfast and affordable....and that's without exceeding the V8 engine size.
Like VFS stated, the Corvette has started to capture the feeling that the Viper fans want, with all the creature comforts the Vette has been known for. Also, even with an additional 1.3L of engine that they have....they are getting beaten by 3 V8 powered cars that are all American made. The S7 Saleen, the Ford GT, and the Corvette......short of an extreme engine makeover....or a S/C or a turbo....I dont forsee the Viper getting much faster then it is.
One final note, I would love to see the Viper regain what made it popular. The sheer power and beastly roar of that car is something I remember as a kid. But the facts are, more and more cars are losing the V10 engines for the fact they are just too costly and that V8 technology is finally producing the power that those V10's could for less money. While I hope the Viper always retains the V10, I can see a day when Dodge has to make a choice over it. It's coming soon.
Just food for thought, the Viper weighs 3300lbs, the Ford GT weighs almost 3500lbs....without drivers....and with a piddly 5.4L V8 supercharged motor....beats the current V10 powered Viper in a quarter mile run...... nuff said.
Viper rumor...
