New FirePower at Detroit

[Schulmann]

At Detroit there is a new member in the Dodge family.
His name is FirePower. Should be in production around 2008.
It's frame is based on the SRT-10 however the car is too heavy for the 6.1 hemi engin that it has got. The idea of using the 6.1 hemi engin is not bad. However it should have been supercharged. The car doesn't look enough exotic ...

It should get:
- A supercharger from Benz for the V8 6.1 hemi
- A state of art adjustable ESP system from McLaren
- The Dogde front Grill
- The name Dodge Viper 2008
- A raisable price

==> Winning formula at Dodge dealers, killing the Z06.


Virtually there is nothing about an improved Viper in Detroit.
It looks like this half finished FirePower might replace our Vipers.

What's going on with the Viper at DC ?!

 

[MoparMan]

The Firepower! was shown last year as a Chrysler. It will be built on the same platform as the Viper (ZC) and was initially shown with the 6.1L Hemi, but may actually receive the new 392 Hemi shown at SEMA as its top of the line engine.

 

[Warfang]

Wow... two guys pondering the death of the Viper. Coincidence?

I've seen the Firepower in person and sat in it. It looks a heck of a lot more exotic than a bently. I'd buy one.

 

[Bill Pemberton Woodhouse]

As a Multi-line DC Dealer we hear alot of complaints from folks in this profession, and primarily it is Chrysler Dealers with no sports car to sell ( the Crossfire is definitely going away). They want the Firepower ( the name will have to be changed for patent reasons I'm told ) and it is a logical partner to the Snake. When CAAP was pumping out Prowlers and Vipers at the same time, Plant efficiency was at it's peak. Sure the bean counters want to get things back to rock and rolling, and two vehicles pumping out around 5-6000 vehicles a year would not be a problem. There is no reason to cancel the Viper, as it is the Halo car for the entire Dodge line, but the Firepower is huge to continue the performance change and sales gains for Chrysler and it's new hot properties ( 300, 300C ) . This is a better fit for their market than the previous , tiny Crossfire, and it is anticipated widely. Those that have seen the car in person will attest to a very rich , continental look to the interior and a very strong European look that blends the exotic with the touch of class ( or money if you prefer ). With folks at the Detroit show thinking the car was Italian designed to British designed, it lent itself to opening up another interesting venue for the Hemi. Similar to the European Custom Builders of the 60s that built unique machines, powered by Hemis ( the Facel Vega for instance ) , this beauty is a touch of a throw back with the luxury demanded by todays buyer. Figure on Beauty and the Beast being built at Connor and another exciting chapter of DC performance will continue where the Viper and the entire SRT line have evolved.

 

[D.K.]

As a Multi-line DC Dealer we hear alot of complaints from folks in this profession, and primarily it is Chrysler Dealers with no sports car to sell ( the Crossfire is definitely going away). They want the Firepower ( the name will have to be changed for patent reasons I'm told ) and it is a logical partner to the Snake. When CAAP was pumping out Prowlers and Vipers at the same time, Plant efficiency was at it's peak. Sure the bean counters want to get things back to rock and rolling, and two vehicles pumping out around 5-6000 vehicles a year would not be a problem. There is no reason to cancel the Viper, as it is the Halo car for the entire Dodge line, but the Firepower is huge to continue the performance change and sales gains for Chrysler and it's new hot properties ( 300, 300C ) . This is a better fit for their market than the previous , tiny Crossfire, and it is anticipated widely. Those that have seen the car in person will attest to a very rich , continental look to the interior and a very strong European look that blends the exotic with the touch of class ( or money if you prefer ). With folks at the Detroit show thinking the car was Italian designed to British designed, it lent itself to opening up another interesting venue for the Hemi. Similar to the European Custom Builders of the 60s that built unique machines, powered by Hemis ( the Facel Vega for instance ) , this beauty is a touch of a throw back with the luxury demanded by todays buyer. Figure on Beauty and the Beast being built at Connor and another exciting chapter of DC performance will continue where the Viper and the entire SRT line have evolved.

As a former manager at Chrysler Corporation this analysis sounds just about right on to me. This is the thinking process.

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

It should get:
- A supercharger from Benz for the V8 6.1 hemi
- The name Dodge Viper 2008

The words "V8" and "Viper" just dont go together IMHO

 

[Jeff Torrey]

I don't care for the front grill. Overall car reminds me of what Maserati is doing lately.

 

[Silver Snake]

I like the car a lot! The front could use a little tweaking, as it looks a like it is "looking" to the left and the right at the same time.

Here are some pictures I took of it at a local car show a few days ago:

Mark

 

[pdmracing]

needs a stick! none of that crappy auto stick or finger paddles, they are for posers.

 

[Joseph Houss]

 

[Whoaa GTS]

The Firepower is a stunning car. Has a bit of the Crossfire (profile)and Maserati (front end)in it too. I'd buy one!

 

[thebigsnake]

Let's see, a one of a kind, Lemans winning American racing car disguised as a street car. Easy to work on, selling for a reasonable price.
Really coveted by the true enthusiasts, but unsuitable for the deep pocket dweebs going for complicated yet powerfull eurotrash.
How long did you guys think that party would last?
It was a miracle it happened at all!

 

[JGK95]

Joe H.

You're thinking along the same lines that I was!

Nice!

Jay K.

 

[sween]

*DELETED*

the viper isnt a viper if it doesnt have a v10. if it turns out that its going to have a v8 that would be awful or even a v12. thats one of the vipers biggest traits is that v10. if it doesnt have a v10 then it aint a viper. my 2 cents...

 

[Casey 111]

If its not quicker then the viper it shouldnt be produced, imo. This market is about proformance...so why would you replace your proformance vehicle with something slower? A supercharged V-8 would be cool though.

 

[JKVIPER]

What I think Bob is saying is that the Firepower would be a sister car to the Viper and will not replace it. That way Chrylser/Dodge can justify running the plant. Simillar to the Caddy Evoke and Vette. Just trying to appeal to more buyers with the same platform.

I would think that the Viper could still be offered with the V10 and different body and stick while the FirePower is a V8 more sound proofing, auto, etc.

I saw the firepower at the Auto show last year and it does look really good.

All in all this should be good news for the future of the Viper. I hope.

 

[2000gtsgsxr1000]

I like the left and right of the girl in white,what car?

 

[VENOMAHOLIC]

I like the Firepower. It will share the frame and other parts with the Viper but be loaded up with luxury. It will raise the bar in the luxury sport coupe market where Astin Martin and BMW now reside. Success of the Firepower will allow the Viper to have more room to go it's own course on the same assembly line making the bean counters happy. Platform sharing is good if done tastefully.

 

[got one]

yup...make a great daily driver

 

[getbit]

Nice Corvette fighter...NOT the replacement for the Viper, I guarantee it.

 

[Camfab]

It Reminds of an Aston as well as a Maserati. If Daimler will sport for PROPER development of two cars off one platform then great. The Viper has previously been so unique in it's development, that is, a car built with it's own soul and purpose. I wonder if this dual platform will spell changes(comprimise). I really don't see the Firepower as a car that would appeal to Corvette enthusiats. In my mind it will appeal to the Euro car two seater crowd, which is really a small market. Most Corvette guys, regardless of what they will admit are Viper enthusiats. Another words the guy buying a Vette is just a guy who can't afford the Viper, and yes I know there are exceptions. An example of this fact is shown by the number of dual owners of these cars. Look I was one of them for a long time, had many Vettes, always looking to smoke a Viper, but always lusted for a Viper. Accordingly, I say yes the Firepower is a cool car, as I think an Aston is a cool car, but if I was in the pricepoint for a Vette and the Firepower was in the same category, I would pick the Vette because it's more about performance. The Firepower in it's current conf. is not about performance, it's about a look, you know, older cat, confident, designer shoes, etc. you get the picture. Soooooooo with all that said, if Daimler will do the Firepower right for it's crowd it would seem that they would be selling two distinctive cars with similar price points approx. 80-90K. The future sounds very interesting, I hope the new guys at DC put the serpent back into the namesake.

 

[Schulmann]

Joseph, nice design, you should send your resume to Dodge HQ.


Having two cars ?!
Good idea but not easily viable they will likely share the same market segment in spite they are not intended for. The sport car segment is narrow. Buyers will choose between Viper and FirePower (Except us who already own a viper). In addition Sales and Marketing have already a lot of difficulty at Dodge to push just one car.


Take the exemple of the Corvette, Firebird SS and Camaro SS. The Corvette kicked out them and now the Corvette's market segment is larger. I don't say that they sell much more of the Corvette but certainly it helps sales. In addition GM puts all the developpement/marketing efforts into one car +=> Engin can be shared between several plateforms (Cadillac etc). Dodge is doing the same thing but adding to much new brand to their product line, it will ultimately disperse developpment/marketing resources. In long terme it is not viable. I understand that they want to reduce the Viper's production cost but it is not the good way with two products.

The Viper project tends to look like the Firebird and Camaro story ... It is discouraging. Dodge can't discontinue the Viper before they have a new high end product. It would give too much advantage to GM. Like GM did the same error with the Camaro/FireBird. They gave the market to the Ford Mustang. My feeling is that once the Firepower is on the market the Viper will go away.

 

[Andrew/USPWR]

If the Fire Power come out as the Gen IV Viper. That would make me sell my GTS.

 

[getbit]

GEN IV and Firepower will both be built... price point and performance will NOT overlap...