Ive started many a war on this one. Id rather the Viper die a
dignified death than it become the next MustangII or Charger
joke that car guys tell over beers.
Im sure that FCA can build a cheaper V8 powerhouse car with
little effort, but to what end? Itll never be "cheap" enough to
compete with the Corvette, and never be "supercar" enough to
go toe-to-toe with Ferrari or Porsche. The only reason FCA
would even consider it is, just like the Charger, the licensing is
still valid on the Viper and it would be simpler to name the new
car a recognized brand.
I contend the reason GenV prices skyrocketed in the first place
was because the engineers at SRT were more concerned with
breaking that stupid Nuringbiringuergering record than building
a proper Viper. End result - a $160k+ car that the people who
want cannot afford, and the people who can afford... can go
buy something more exotic.
An $80k V10 Gen6 is not absurd, IF you build a motor, chassis
and some pretty lines. It doesnt need to compete with Zonda
or Lamborghini, thats not its purpose.