Automatic Viper?
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BlackSnake99
Enthusiast
Add the option for a stripped out interior and I am looking for stuff to sell to get one.
SnakeBitten
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Im sure SRT could get the Gen V down to around 3100lbs or less in ACR trim with some creativity even with the steel frame.
My ideas are probably impractical and too costly and more like a wish list but:
(1) Carbon fiber interior - Entire dash board, center console, inside door panels, headliner, seats with minimal padding after all its still a streetcar so you would probaly want the lightest interior you can get without the bare metal showing like you get with a striped out interior.
(2) Carbon fiber GTSR-like body exterior - CCB brakes, centerlock wheel hubs and rims, MCS,
Im thinking if you forego all the, useless for track, expensive stuff that makes a GTS 140-150k you can add the above instead to the ACR package and still come in around the same or way under 200k but its a Viper so I doubt a low volume car outfitted like the above would be less 200k. One can dream.
My ideas are probably impractical and too costly and more like a wish list but:
(1) Carbon fiber interior - Entire dash board, center console, inside door panels, headliner, seats with minimal padding after all its still a streetcar so you would probaly want the lightest interior you can get without the bare metal showing like you get with a striped out interior.
(2) Carbon fiber GTSR-like body exterior - CCB brakes, centerlock wheel hubs and rims, MCS,
Im thinking if you forego all the, useless for track, expensive stuff that makes a GTS 140-150k you can add the above instead to the ACR package and still come in around the same or way under 200k but its a Viper so I doubt a low volume car outfitted like the above would be less 200k. One can dream.
emericr
Enthusiast
A full auto in the viper is a horrible idea, but a paddle option wouldn't be bad for those who medically can't drive with a clutch pedal as mentioned above.
The exciting part about that 8 sp auto is the potential in the SRT Jeep! EZ2BGreen and I have been talking about that for years...
If SRT markets that right and steals enough customers from Porsche SUV buyers they might have some extra dollars to help R+D on a proper paddle setup for the Viper.
The exciting part about that 8 sp auto is the potential in the SRT Jeep! EZ2BGreen and I have been talking about that for years...
If SRT markets that right and steals enough customers from Porsche SUV buyers they might have some extra dollars to help R+D on a proper paddle setup for the Viper.
DRBSRT
Viper Owner
Could not agree more!!
VYPR BYT 94
Enthusiast
I agree... unfortunately with the constant cry for government intervention and everything green, you can expect those 10 cylinders to eventually be the size of dixie-cups.
AZTVR
Enthusiast
Ageed. The manual trans car is on endangered vehicle list !!! Viper is one of the last solely manually shifted !
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chorps
Enthusiast
Given the fact that automatics have more gears than manuals now, can shift faster and cylinder deactivation is currently incompatible with manual gearboxes; I'd say pure manual boxes are on the outs. 
JAY
Enthusiast
You are correct , technoligy will create the tipping point ! 
Given the fact that automatics have more gears than manuals now, can shift faster and cylinder deactivation is currently incompatible with manual gearboxes; I'd say pure manual boxes are on the outs.
viper GTS-R
Enthusiast
Given the fact that automatics have more gears than manuals now, can shift faster and cylinder deactivation is currently incompatible with manual gearboxes; I'd say pure manual boxes are on the outs.
Again, No.
Sadly, I'm one of those few that missed that era. If I could, I would do anything to be at least born as early as the late 50's so I could grow up and drive cars from the 70's. The 80's, from an automotive standpoint, well they sucked. I grew up in a era that the stupid things decided to show up. I despise the automatic transmission. My car was only offered in a automatic and in order for me to swap to a manual, it would require extensive work...even though the Challenger uses the same TR6060 trans the Viper does...the trans tunnels for the LX's are SOMEHOW completely different.
The Challenger is an LC and uses the same platform as an LX does, give or a take a few inches.
And blah, I've been in many a paddle shift assisted vehicles. Yes I do like them, but I don't love them. I just spent the better part of last year learning the mechanical aspects of driving for the first time. There's so much more involved when you press in on a clutch, put it in first and teach yourself how to modulate between two pedals. It's so much more gratifying, than going from park to reverse to drive. No one cares about that. So people preoccupy themselves with other things to do, rather than focus on which lane to stay in and when to hit the brakes.
I like my cars as simple as they can possibly be. I'm just not a fan of fancy.
--RS
chorps
Enthusiast
I agree the manual is way more satisfying to drive, but at what point does efficiency outweigh the traditional formats?
SnakeBitten
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SRT wants to reach a wider audience so they will offer what they need to to get them in the showrooms. It's out of our hands. Life is about choices. Why not give people a choice of either transmission? Why should either side impose their will on the other? Both boxes have their pros and cons that resonate with different people. A sure way to make money is to make a product or option that more people want. The Viper needs to sell well for Fiat to let it stick around. So it has to appeal to more than just the ******** Viperholics IMO.
Face it. Nobody cares if your engine is NA or not and nobody cares if you have a manual or paddle shifters.
Sorry Viper purists. Huge cubes and manual shifters are dying.....
It just doesn't matter anymore in modern performance cars.
It's only how fast it goes around a track not how it does it. When you get beat is it any consolation your motor is NA? Or you have to shift manually?
If the above mentioned ACR ran a 7:05 at the Ring we would be celebrating. And it would.
Sorry Viper purists. Huge cubes and manual shifters are dying.....
It just doesn't matter anymore in modern performance cars.
It's only how fast it goes around a track not how it does it. When you get beat is it any consolation your motor is NA? Or you have to shift manually?
If the above mentioned ACR ran a 7:05 at the Ring we would be celebrating. And it would.
BigBadViper
Enthusiast
I am going automatic. I am tired of breaking stuff. So far in the past year I have gone through 3 transmissions, 2 rear ends, and a set of axles. Not sure what kind of auto yet, but probably a turbo 400.
2003 Viper
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Paddles should not be on a Viper. If you cant drive a manual, tuff! But at the end of the day they will build them for the old farts and track rats who care about 3 tenths of a second. Sorry for the rant, I just hate autos with a passion.
JAY
Enthusiast
For Me Viper is about PERFORMANCE ! And Not Being passed , and if that means a Sequential Transmission or a DCT , Then so be it !
Torquemonster
Enthusiast
For Me Viper is about PERFORMANCE ! And Not Being passed , and if that means a Sequential Transmission or a DCT , Then so be it !
^^ This. In stock form a stick shift is fun, but from a modders point of view - let the purists try to drive their stick shift around a mountain pass at over 1000hp and scare themselves to a standstill. There reaches a power level when for real quick and safe driving, you only want to be focussing on keeping the car on the road as everything else is just happening so fast you don't need to be multi-tasking a trans that will break if you are not smooth at that power level. My 2 cents. Put a 6060 in a GTR and watch its legendary times become more ordinary.
I love manuals and honestly believe it may become a lost art in the future to be able to drive one. The interaction with the machine is part of the tactile experience and for me , the enjoyment. The reality is that in my capacity selling these beautiful vehicles one item comes in to play much more than I would have initially expected, are customer's health issues or disabilities. For the numerous Veterans and customers who no longer are able to drive a manual, but still lust after a Viper, I see the point that one should be offered , even in a limited production. I know of a couple of die hard Viper Collectors who no longer drive their cars as physical limitations keep them from it, though they could manage an automatic. I have always pictured myself as a die-hard manual fan for years, but in the last 4-5 years I have had to realize that there was a place for the option. I guess it comes down to a question we must ask ourselves, and one I have thought about myself, " If I have to stop driving a Viper due to a hip replacement, or other health concern, do I still want a choice?" At age 61 I must say that I do want a choice in the future, and with the dreams from some of our brave veterans stating they wanted a Viper but due to a loss of limb/limbs could only drive an automatic/paddleshift/sequential I think the time has come.
VYPR BYT 94
Enthusiast
Great perspective... thanks for the post.
JAY
Enthusiast
Great Post Bill ! Having the option is still a Win, Win !
Frank 03SRT
Enthusiast
Right on Bill! That is a great point.
What? Matter to who? The guy that grew up on video games? Pfft. They have the Nissan to go buy. I will not buy a paddle shifter car for my use. My wife just ordered an Audi S4 with s-tronic dual clutch and that's fine for her. Not interested for me. As Ralph said in the video the use of the manual is an art, one that is rewarding or punishing, but never ever boring.
If they only offer DC and paddles I am out, or will just maintain my older Gen IV!
latamud
Enthusiast
I agree 100%. I was in Iraq when I bought my Viper back in 2010 and didn't get home to drive it until summer 2011. Very soon after the purchase I sustained an injury that left me semi-partially paralyzed for about 4 months. I say partially paralyzed, I could still walk but I lost feeling/control of the outside of my quads, and my shins from my knees down. I could still walk but I hobbled like a baby learning to walk. I watched my legs atrophy more and more everyday. I thought I was wheelchair bound. After a lot of physical therapy and chiropractic adjustments I did recover. During that time I was afraid I'd have to sell the Viper before I ever had a chance to drive it. I agree an automatic option makes sense. It would open the door for drivers that still want to enjoy the car but can't drive a manual.
swexlin
Viper Owner
Right on Jon! While i Love the 6-speed, I wouldn't kick this out of my garage!
Chuck 98 RT/10
Enthusiast
Be careful what you wish for. Corvette went after the "please everybody" market decades ago resulting in a diminished Vette love today and not only among Viper owners.
The fact is we get old and injured and eventually can't do the things we used to do. That's life and I just accept it. When the ******** image of the Viper has deteriorated to Vette levels it won't be the fault of any selfishness on my part - and I'll match my injuries, aches and pains with 98% of this board.
The fact is we get old and injured and eventually can't do the things we used to do. That's life and I just accept it. When the ******** image of the Viper has deteriorated to Vette levels it won't be the fault of any selfishness on my part - and I'll match my injuries, aches and pains with 98% of this board.
Torquemonster
Enthusiast
In a user pays world your argument makes a lot of sense, and I respect your opinion as you have enjoyed a Viper on both track and road more than most.
Obviously, anyone can retrofit anything at their own cost. If the car was kept raw and pure those with disability could still pay to have an auto fitted.
I do see a paddle shifted semi-auto manual as being in the future however - not as a nanny but because it will shave a significant amount of time off both drag and lap times. It'd still be a manual (AMT), but I suspect there will always be a demand for the traditional stick shift, and rightly so.
Unless there is a business case for budgeting the development and testing costs of an auto tranny as an option for the Viper, I do not see same happening. It's just to much money for a limited production car. But, if the rumors of a monster 6.2 liter supercharged V8 in late development for an SRT8 vehicle in an out year, which is intended to be a ZL1 and Mustang 500 ******, are true, there will have to be an automatic tranny to go with it. Assuming this engine comes out with numbers in the vicinity of 665HP/725 Tq. ( Just a wild guess assuming it is a twin screw application and the platform it is on is the LX platform and still ways in at over 4000 pounds), then such a tranny could clearly be adopted as a Viper optional tranny. I think that would be a good thing mainly for the reasons stated by Bill P. Especially if it is an eight speed with paddle shifting capability. Note that the paddle shifting tranny on the Gen V Viper race car is approximately a $50K unit so it is not an R&D tranny for the regular Viper like the ACRX pistons were for the Gen V Viper.
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ViperSmith
Enthusiast
IMO what SRT should do is position the Viper as the "Halo" car like the LFA is, where it is the test bed for future technology for their vehicle line. Ideally a bigger budget and bigger thinking.
But, who knows what they will do. I assume first year sales will dictate what the future of the car is.
If it goes well, I think paddles are inevitable.
But, who knows what they will do. I assume first year sales will dictate what the future of the car is.
If it goes well, I think paddles are inevitable.
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