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Filed under: Car Buying , Concept Cars , Coupes , Sports/GTs , Supercars , Dodge Click above for a gallery of the ASC Diamondback Viper Concept A McLaren-tuned Dodge Viper? That's some synergy, and it's also what everyone was asking when American Specialty Cars (ASC) unveiled their reworked asp at the Detroit Auto Show back in 2006. But there was a logic to it all: At the time, Chrysler was still in bed with Daimler, which owns Mercedes-Benz, which was tied in with McLaren and produced the SLR supercar. The Diamondback Viper Concept boasted a McLaren-tuned V10, but while the F1 team was running Mercedes mils around the grand prix circuit, this super-snake was created by an entirely different McLaren. The Diamondback concept featured a host of carbon fiber body panels and an "OmniCarbon" hood to show off the car's 615-horsepower V10 tuned by McLaren Performance Technologies. The American outfit based near Indianapolis was started by the same Bruce McLaren behind the...
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Filed under: Aftermarket , Tuners , Convertibles , Coupes , Sports/GTs , Auction Action , Special/Limited Editions Hurst is at it again, breathing their 50th anniversary magic on a Dodge Viper. Fifty cars will be made, each featuring a number of details already seen on the Hurst Hemi Challenger , including the Hurst pistol-grip shifter and Hurst wheels . The interior will be stitched up by Katzkin leather, and sound effects will come via a Corsa exhaust. As for colors, you will be offered the usual two: black with gold stripes, and white with gold stripes. The car you see peeking through in the picture above is a 1-of-a-kind that will go under the gavel at next month's Barret-Jackson auction. That one is matte gold with matte black racing stripe and black chrome wheels. But we have a feeling that if you don't get the car at Barrett and you really want one just like it, Hurst will be happy to exchange some of your green for some of their gold. Check out the press release after the...
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Filed under: Supercars , Chrysler, LLC. , Dodge Click above for high-res gallery of the Viper ACR Chrysler may be burning to the ground like ancient Rome, but its craziest citizen, the Dodge Viper, is out dancing in the streets. Because even while General Motors prepares to ransack Chrysler LLC, the Viper sales are continuing undeterred. Although Chrysler sales overall are reportedly down a whopping 32%, Dodge continues to produce and sell Vipers at a rate of 100 units per month. Not just that, but the Viper ACR - the $105k track-prepped super-snake - is all but entirely sold out... not in spite of the poor economy, but because of it. Chrysler reports that with stock portfolios rapidly losing their value and dollar values plummeting, investors are seeing the Viper ACR - potentially to be discontinued and retaining a high resale value - as a sound investment opportunity. With smile inducing dividends, too. While GM and Cerberus talk take-over turkey, the fiscal viability of the Viper unit...
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Filed under: Car Buying , Sports/GTs , Supercars , Chrysler, LLC. , Dodge Click for hi-res gallery of the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT-10 Cerberus may be trying to offload Viper , but not before it gives over a million Americans the opportunity to pick one up at discounted prices. Until now the Viper remained outside Chrysler's Employee Purchase and Certain Designated Individuals discount program, but that's about to change as the supercar joins the list of eligible vehicles. While Chrysler employs over 130,000 people, we doubt many of them, especially in this economic climate, will have the means or motivation to pick up the gas-guzzling V10 muscle car. However, an arrangement between Chrysler and Wal-Mart extends the benefits program to employees of the mega-retail chain, and with over 1.2 million employees, we're sure there are a few who'll take Chrysler up on its offer. Don't go rushing to pick up an ACR, however, as the track-focused model remains outside the program. Gallery...
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Filed under: Tuners , Supercars , Chrysler, LLC. , Dodge , Earnings/Financials Click above for high-res gallery of the Dodge Viper ACR While most of us would be more than happy to own just one Viper, some lucky company will soon take the entire operation off the hands of Chrysler, LLC. We hear there are multiple interested parties , and according to Vice Chairman Tom Lasorda, Chrysler is looking to begin real negotiations within the next few weeks. It's hard to imagine a Viper coming from a manufacturer other than Dodge, but there has been talk that the iconic American sportscar could be gobbled up by a well-known tuning firm , or even a group of investors. Whatever happens, we just hope that the Viper -- as a car or as a brand -- continues showing its formidable fangs and doesn't end up a mere shed skin of its former self. You can check out our First Drive of the Viper ACR or our In the Autoblog Garage review of the Viper SRT-10 to see just what we think about Dodge's supercar...
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Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage , Convertibles , Sports/GTs , Dodge Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT-10 Next January's Detroit Auto Show will mark the 20th anniversary of the Viper's debut as a concept. Back then, every car in Chrysler's lineup was still derived from the K-Car. The K-cars saved Chrysler from the jaws of bankruptcy, but an executive named Lutz decided the automaker needed a new halo car to generate some excitement as a new decade dawned. Another old guy named Carroll Shelby was sprucing up Daytonas and Omnis at the time, so they decided to revive an idea from earlier in his career. Together they created a minimalistic two-seater with a humongous engine that became an instant American classic. That basic premise lives on today in the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT-10 with only slightly less minimalism. Read on to find out what it's like to live with a snake for a week. Gallery: In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Dodge Viper SRT-10 Photos...
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Filed under: Supercars , Chrysler, LLC. , Dodge Click above for high-res gallery of the Dodge Viper ACR The Dodge Viper has been Chrysler's halo car since it was introduced back in 1992, but times are tough. Faced with the fact that it might not be able to continue making the brutish sports car, the Auburn Hills-based automaker is reportedly considering doing something that's never been done before by a domestic automaker (as for as we know): selling the Viper's future to a third party. Automotive News quotes Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli saying, "We have been approached by third parties who are interested in exploring future possibilities for Viper." Nardelli claims that whatever happens, his company will work to make sure the best interests of Viper fanboys are served and that Chrysler would continue to offer "operational and financial" support for the car if a transaction takes place. We're honestly a little stunned that Chrysler would consider such a...
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Filed under: Supercars , Dodge , First Drive Click above for high-res gallery of the Dodge Viper ACR I have to admit that I'm biased when it comes to the Dodge Viper. I've had a soft spot for the venomous snake since the GTS coupe hit the streets in 1996. The aggressive design, powerful 8.0-liter V10 with 450 horsepower (doesn't sound like much now, but it sure seemed like a lot then), and the blue paint scheme with white racing stripes were the ideal combination for my dream sports car. I'm going to be that guy at the 2030 Barrett-Jackson purchasing a mint, low-mileage, numbers-matching 1996 or 1997 Dodge Viper GTS, and, of course, you'll be the one watching on SPEED commenting how I'm paying way too much for a classic American muscle car. Gallery: First Drive: 2008 Dodge Viper ACR All photos Copyright (C)2008 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc. Continue reading First Drive: 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Filed under: Motorsports , Videos , Dodge Click above to witness Hubinette's drifting skills We know Sam Hubinette has incredible drifting skills. The Crazy Swede is a two-time champion in Formula Drift and makes a living doing stunt driving, but that still doesn't mean we would put our life in his hands. Streetfire.net's Creative Director Alexis Godschalk, however, seems to have more of either faith or bravery than we do. While filming a video intro StreetFire, Hubinette sends his Viper hurtling towards Godschalk and doesn't even flinch. Follow the jump to watch the video and see just how close Hubinette gets. (Hint: very) [Source: StreetFire.net ] Continue reading VIDEO: Sam Hubinette cuts it real close Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Filed under: Coupes , Dodge , First Drive Click above for high-res gallery of Autoblog autocrossing Yesterday at Chrysler's annual media gathering to show off new products at the its proving grounds in Chelsea, MI, the struggling automaker wanted to demonstrate the performance capabilities of its SRT branded vehicles. SRT staff set up an autocross course on the vehicle dynamics pad and brought out examples of every SRT vehicle from the Caliber SRT-4 to the mighty Dodge Viper ACR. Before we were allowed to hop in the cars, we had listen to a short briefing that described the course and some safety rules. And before being allowed to climb into the big snake, we had to complete at least a couple of laps in one of the five Challenger SRT-8s to get familiarized with the course. For a big 4,140-lb coupe, the Challenger proved surprisingly nimble. We learned that with the electronic stability control enabled, it's almost impossible to get the back end to swing wide. The stability control...
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Filed under: Sports/GTs , Auction Action , Supercars , Dodge , Celebrities Click above for high-res gallery of Pam Anderson's Viper If you consider yourself the kind of person who loves animals, perhaps you are a member of PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). Maybe that love of animals even extends to snakes, but how about Vipers? Well, if you like PETA and love Dodge supercars, this upcoming auction might be up your alley. Scheduled to go across the block at Julien's Auctions' Summer Entertainment Sale of Hollywood memorabilia , this 2000 Viper RT/10 still sports its original unmolested 8.0L V-10 and only 14,000 miles on the clock. It also happens to be owned by a prominent celebrity who is also a member of PETA. That celebrity would be Pamela Anderson. Wowaweehwah. Besides belonging to the Baywatch beauty, this Viper is said to get some of its own screen time in Anderson's upcoming E! series, "Pam: Girl on the Loose." The sale will take place June...
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Filed under: Tuners , Coupes , Sports/GTs , Supercars , Dodge Click above for a high resolution image As if 1000 horsepower, 0-60 mph in 2.25 seconds and the huge rear wing didn't attract enough attention. It just had to be in Snake Skin Green. According to Hennessey, this is the first and only Venom Twin-Turbo in this color, and it's listed for sale on HennesseyPerformance.com . It comes with the 1200-horsepower upgrade option, VenomAero body kit, KW adjustable coilover suspension, Brembo brakes, lightweight wheels, and more. The car's new owner will also be able to make Bugatti Veyron owners green with envy as they see this Viper's taillights fading into the distance. Click away in the full-res gallery below. Gallery: Hennessey Venom 1000TT SRT Coupe [Source: Hennessey Performance ] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Filed under: Convertibles , Coupes , Plants/Manufacturing , Chrysler , Dodge Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2008 Dodge Viper. Chrysler is planning a big bash to commemorate the production of the 25,000th Dodge Viper at its Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in Auburn Hills, MI. The event, due to take place tomorrow, will celebrate the big snake's penchant for simultaneously thrilling and scaring the pants off enthusiasts for over a decade and a half. Number 25,000 will be handed over to Kurt Busch in recognition of his wheel-to-wheel accomplishments while campaigning in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and while we won't be on hand for the festivities, we'll be there in spirit, without the banned articles of clothing outlined in the press release after the jump. Gallery: 2008 Dodge Viper SRT-10 Gallery: 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR Continue reading Chrysler celebrating 25,000th Viper built Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Filed under: Sports/GTs , Dodge , Lifestyle Click above to enlarge The Neiman Marcus catalog is always full of superfluous luxury goods like hover crafts or special edition Lexus models . The 2008 Spring Men's catalog is no exception. Its special seasonal offering happens to be a half dozen and one venomous snakes. Even though they are endangered, they are not the kind featured on National Geographic. They are, in fact, seven special 2008 Hennessey Venom 700 NM Vipers. The tuned beasts boast 700 horsepower and 645 pound feet of torque, though despite the increased power output, their 0-60 times are even with the 678-hp 650R Hennessey Venom upgrade for the 2008 Dodge Viper. The discrepancy in performance most likely stems from a traction issue. The lack of grip shouldn't be a problem for any buyer to handle, though, since a day of performance driving school at Lonestar Motorsports Park is included in the purchase price of $179,500. The shopping cart handle rear wing that's tested...
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Filed under: Coupes , Sports/GTs , Supercars , Dodge click above image for more high-res pics of the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT-10 The new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT-10 was a big deal when it debuted at the Detroit Auto Show last January. Adding 100 horsepower to...
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