Ratical2
Enthusiast
Great article today on AOL about Bob Lutz. You can vote which car is his greatest legacy. So far, the Viper leads!
Exit Interview: Legend Bob Lutz Retires
Exit Interview: Legend Bob Lutz Retires
Bob Lutz exit interview!
- Thread starter Ratical2
- Start date
2snakes4us
Enthusiast
"AOL: Of all the vehicles you’ve shepherded into existence over the years, which one would you say you’re proudest of?
BL: I think it would have to be the Volt,"
Bob Lutz *****.
The only great thing that this *** was a part of was the VIPER. His Legacy is selling out Chrysler and the american people.
Lutz has no loyalty.
this is from a interview in 10-21-2003
"You did the Viper during your stint at Chrysler, and now Neil Hannemann, who led the Viper team, is doing the GT at Ford. Does GM need a Viper/GT class vehicle, or is the Corvette strong enough to handle that role?
Let me tell you that the Corvette C6 will have versions where we confidently predict it will **** the doors off of both the cars that you just named. The current Z06, with 400 horsepower, on the Gingerman Raceway, laps faster with its 400 horsepower than the new Viper does with 500. So other than just brutal straightline acceleration, the Z06 is faster today. Clearly the C6 Corvette, without giving anything away, is going to be a major step forward in vehicle mass, dimensions, handling, braking and, most important of all, power-to-weight ratio. So I think whatever gap exists now is going to be eliminated — in total performance. I think we'll match the competition in acceleration, and we will beat them in on-road handling. And if the Z06 version of the C6 is not enough to do it, we've got a few tricks up our sleeve, which we're already investigating. But it will always be Corvette-based"
BL: I think it would have to be the Volt,"
Bob Lutz *****.
The only great thing that this *** was a part of was the VIPER. His Legacy is selling out Chrysler and the american people.
Lutz has no loyalty.
this is from a interview in 10-21-2003
"You did the Viper during your stint at Chrysler, and now Neil Hannemann, who led the Viper team, is doing the GT at Ford. Does GM need a Viper/GT class vehicle, or is the Corvette strong enough to handle that role?
Let me tell you that the Corvette C6 will have versions where we confidently predict it will **** the doors off of both the cars that you just named. The current Z06, with 400 horsepower, on the Gingerman Raceway, laps faster with its 400 horsepower than the new Viper does with 500. So other than just brutal straightline acceleration, the Z06 is faster today. Clearly the C6 Corvette, without giving anything away, is going to be a major step forward in vehicle mass, dimensions, handling, braking and, most important of all, power-to-weight ratio. So I think whatever gap exists now is going to be eliminated — in total performance. I think we'll match the competition in acceleration, and we will beat them in on-road handling. And if the Z06 version of the C6 is not enough to do it, we've got a few tricks up our sleeve, which we're already investigating. But it will always be Corvette-based"
Last edited:
VicTxV10
Enthusiast
3600 votes, Viper leads by 1% over the Volt.
hemihead
Viper Owner
3600 votes, Viper leads by 1% over the Volt.
There's something you don't see too often, Viper and Volt in the same sentence.
okloneranger
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Sounds like politics to me. However, he did sell his low #'92 and his '98GTR. Maybe he lost his love for the Viper. He has done many great things in his life. He will forever be one of the "four fathers of the Viper." When "car guys" remember him it won't be for the Volt, it will be for the Viper. It must be hard, deep inside, to change brand loyalty because that's where the pay check is coming from, and (possibly) be "influenced" to turn your back on the past. There again, we don't know his situation or heart - we can only assume. I'm just glad he was there at that point in time to "father" the Viper. Even if the 2010 is the last Viper, it's been a hell of a run.Lee00blacksilverGTS
Enthusiast
"AOL: Of all the vehicles you’ve shepherded into existence over the years, which one would you say you’re proudest of?
BL: I think it would have to be the Volt,"
Bob Lutz *****.
The only great thing that this *** was a part of was the VIPER. His Legacy is selling out Chrysler and the american people.
Lutz has no loyalty.
this is from a interview in 10-21-2003
"You did the Viper during your stint at Chrysler, and now Neil Hannemann, who led the Viper team, is doing the GT at Ford. Does GM need a Viper/GT class vehicle, or is the Corvette strong enough to handle that role?
Let me tell you that the Corvette C6 will have versions where we confidently predict it will **** the doors off of both the cars that you just named. The current Z06, with 400 horsepower, on the Gingerman Raceway, laps faster with its 400 horsepower than the new Viper does with 500. So other than just brutal straightline acceleration, the Z06 is faster today. Clearly the C6 Corvette, without giving anything away, is going to be a major step forward in vehicle mass, dimensions, handling, braking and, most important of all, power-to-weight ratio. So I think whatever gap exists now is going to be eliminated — in total performance. I think we'll match the competition in acceleration, and we will beat them in on-road handling. And if the Z06 version of the C6 is not enough to do it, we've got a few tricks up our sleeve, which we're already investigating. But it will always be Corvette-based"
Lutz did not sell out Chrysler, Bob Eaton did.
daytonprowler
Enthusiast
Ain't that the truth! A merger of equals....what a joke. Hostle take over is more like it. Daimler used Chrysler's 6 billion liquid in the bank for R & D on their Mercedes. Used Chrysler as an outlet to get rid of their old parts and then after they dumped us, held us hostage on parts and recently on transmissions for the new Grand Cherokee. Iacocca said the biggest mistake he ever made was promoting Eaton. Just think, what if he had handed it over to Lutz instead?
I just saw that Audi outsold Mercedes for the first time. Love it!
viperdrummer
Enthusiast
Lee and Jon are exactly right. And, (and bear in mind I consider Bob a friend so I am biased) we should all be glad we lived in the era of Lutz. He is a modern day Harley Earl.
Was he brand loyal?--of course. We can all remember the "Ode to Viper " which took a shot or 2 at the Vette. But, never forget it was his vision based on his passion for his personal Cobra , that made him talk Iacocco into giving him $50M to create Viper in an insane short period of time--Bob, Tom, Roy and the rest made it happen and but for that there would be no Viper, no VCA and a lot of us would have missed out on a lot of passion in our lives.
Bob went to GM and had a major role in the CTS-V (wonderful car) and ZR1. Even if you are a GM hater there is no question that the Z06 and ZR1 upped the ante and made our snakes better.
Bob still has a very fond place in his heart for Viper and always will--I can assure you of that. A great car guy and gearhead.
As to his sale of his 2 Vipers--I certainly benefited from one--the only car I would NEVER sell absent dire circumstances, and his 98 which benefitted VCA and I am sure Ben reveres just as much.
Was he brand loyal?--of course. We can all remember the "Ode to Viper " which took a shot or 2 at the Vette. But, never forget it was his vision based on his passion for his personal Cobra , that made him talk Iacocco into giving him $50M to create Viper in an insane short period of time--Bob, Tom, Roy and the rest made it happen and but for that there would be no Viper, no VCA and a lot of us would have missed out on a lot of passion in our lives.
Bob went to GM and had a major role in the CTS-V (wonderful car) and ZR1. Even if you are a GM hater there is no question that the Z06 and ZR1 upped the ante and made our snakes better.
Bob still has a very fond place in his heart for Viper and always will--I can assure you of that. A great car guy and gearhead.
As to his sale of his 2 Vipers--I certainly benefited from one--the only car I would NEVER sell absent dire circumstances, and his 98 which benefitted VCA and I am sure Ben reveres just as much.
Chuck 98 RT/10
Enthusiast
Business politics. See what Lutz says when he is 90 and long since out of the auto manufacturing scene. There is no way a true car guy is gonna pick a Volt over a Viper or any other sports car.
ViperGTS
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1 vote more for the Viper now ;-)
- 33%Chevy Volt
- 25%Cadillac CTS
- 35%Dodge Viper
- 5%Merkur XR4Ti
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