New Viper is huge letdown

[pumpgas]

Not only is it ugly (they tried to make it too pretty and ruined the overall look) but the power is a huge let down. Not to mention I am sure it will be near impossible to (affordably) twin turbo or supercharge it even though it has a forged motor. Probably going to be overpriced as well......

I think the value of the older Vipers won't drop relative to this car at all now, especially the older GTS's and the 2003-2006 Vipers that you can easily twin-turbo or supercharge and get 700-750 rwhp without having to go into the motor.

 

[Vooodoo ACR]

I think all the hype pushed expectations way too high and unrealistic for some people. Overall, I like what has been done with the new Viper... my only concern is what GM has in store with the C7.

 

[pumpgas]

Maybe that's what it is, I am not sure, but I am still in shock with how "tamed down" the car seems to be. It's almost as if it has lost all it's raw edginess and adrenaline.

 

[Paul Hawker]

While I still love my 09, I think the new Viper has made significant improvements in nearly every area.
More hp, better interior, forged engine components, lighter weight, fantastic looking body, great wheels, better brakes, launch control, 3:55 rear gear (finally), shorter shifter, stronger driveline, a renewed focus on racing heritage, improved stereo, unique hatch into roof design, wider tires and wheels, and on and on.

Sure some people want "even more" but for a first year, out of the box effort, this really cements the future direction of Viper.

 

[pumpgas]

I agree, I just think the direction is wrong for a Viper. At least if they want to retain the kind of customer who bought the Viper in past and recent years. It's basically turned into a "mass production" type car. No better than a Corvette now basically. It has lost it's edge.

 

[viper_itch]

I'm not too surprised by the response here. I think expectations were too high. This may under deliver on a few items (HP, single transmission to name a few) but the styling is nice in my opinion. The interior improvements are welcomed.

It is also leaves room for more upgrades along the way.

 

[neo_rambo]

The front end has lost the spirit of the viper IMO Audi LED's Ferrari 612 front end (Thanks to Fiat). The front looks like a ferrari/Corvette front end. And 8.4L only 640hp ***?!?! My wife loves it and says it looks more feminine, that comment totally killed it for me. I see what she is saying. The Viper was a masculine american Muscle car.. Now it has the stylings of a european auto not an american muscle. You guys can't see the Fiat "inspirations" in this car? Gotta admit the rear,side and interior is amazing and captures the spirit but the front just kills it for me.

 

[eucharistos]

factory aluminum flywheel

 

[mad0953]

I disagree. It looks better than the last 10 years, weighs less, has the clamshell hood, more power and you can switch off the nannies. It had to evolve to survive and I think SRT did a kick ass job.

 

[BCBowers]

The car is amazing... looks sinister in this video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJuWSk_vAWQ

 

[AFL in NJ]

I disagree too, I think it looks amazing! They've lightened it up to 300 lbs, its gonna fly!! I know if SRT can offer a 800hp GEN III crate engine then they can also add more power to the GEN V Viper when they need to...until then it'll win every road test by a wide margin now! 50% stiffer chassis to already the fastest lapping car just adds more car lengths between the competition.

The only question is whether the press will finally get it this time.

Regards,
Aaron

 

[bmw2nv2000]

The soft lines are a little let down for me but the big dissapointment is Viper is now behind Mustang in the HP war!!!!! And will be way behind the new c7 ZR1.
But in the end its still aViper and I love Vipers. I just hope the computer will be crackable so those forged internals can be used for boost.

 

[CAS]

I dislike the splitter. Otherwise they did a great job on an upgraded, modernized GTS. How can anyone complain?

 

[Ghoust]

I was in the not like camp till this morning. I have to say the overall package is great! The new Viper wears its nameplate well.

 

[CAS]

While I still love my 09, I think the new Viper has made significant improvements in nearly every area.
More hp, better interior, forged engine components, lighter weight, fantastic looking body, great wheels, better brakes, launch control, 3:55 rear gear (finally), shorter shifter, stronger driveline, a renewed focus on racing heritage, improved stereo, unique hatch into roof design, wider tires and wheels, and on and on.

Sure some people want "even more" but for a first year, out of the box effort, this really cements the future direction of Viper.

Well said. What are your thoughts on the shift in tire direction?

 

[aviatorone]

I think it's awesome. Im thinking about trading 2 of my cars in on one.

Black on black if anyone cares!?!

 

[eucharistos]

......The only question is whether the press will finally get it this time.

Regards,
Aaron

not a chance treyvon

 

[tucker]

The silver car in the launch looked great.

 

[mad0953]

RE; only 640 HP-----Maybe it's like Chevy's COPO cars of the sixtys, like the L88 had 430 HP, yeah right.

 

[//M5Guy]

I like it a lot! I think they hit a home run with the styling and the new interior. More horsepower would have been nice, but that gives something to look forward to in the future.

 

[msp282]

<<<<RE; only 640 HP-----Maybe it's like Chevy's COPO cars of the sixtys, like the L88 had 430 HP, yeah right. >>>>



^ ya, i was thinking the same.... doesn't the 09 ACR dyno at an equivolent of 640hp despite 600 published hp?

 

[Wezbad1]

I think they did a great job. Makes me kindof laugh to hear "mustang and Viper" in the same sentence. Im curious about a body stripe package. I like my Viper stripes.

 

[Stealth]

Looks like Gen II mated with a Mazda Miata and an old Mazda RX-7.

Overall, nice design, but I was hoping for more Volado and 700hp.

It would be nice to have some actual body-integrated downforce as well without a wing (vs. reduced lift).

In any event, it is EXCELLENT that Dodge-SRT has continued the Viper. Good move!

 

[00prowler]

Yer' on drugs...

Not only is it ugly (they tried to make it too pretty and ruined the overall look) but the power is a huge let down. Not to mention I am sure it will be near impossible to (affordably) twin turbo or supercharge it even though it has a forged motor. Probably going to be overpriced as well......

I think the value of the older Vipers won't drop relative to this car at all now, especially the older GTS's and the 2003-2006 Vipers that you can easily twin-turbo or supercharge and get 700-750 rwhp without having to go into the motor.

 

[TonyCool]

I will have to reserve final judgement until I see the car in person but I prefer the looks of the SRT10s versus the GTS (I know not many people would disagree with me on this one). Having said that I think the GTS looks awesome so it's impossible not to like the new car. As its design has tons of GTS on it. If I was a GTS owner I would definitely be thinking about getting into a gen5 provided I could afford it... very similar looks and improved in every way.

Performance wise I think the car is going to be amazing. May be the extra 40hp and 40 pound feet of torque compared to a 2010 doesn't seem like a lot but with a much lighter car, a stiffer frame, better gearing, launch control, ECS, TCS, etc. I'd think this car is certainly going to outperform all gen4s probably even the ACR, and we are talking about the car that currently holds the production car record on the Nurburgring. So how can anyone say this car is a letdown.

Sure maybe that new very expensive mustang has larger HP numbers but at the end of the day it's just a mustang and I seriously doubt it will outperform the 2013 viper on the track. The z06/Zr1 versions of the C7 corvette are a bigger concern but I'd hope the guys at SRT have consider that GM will have enough time to plan ahead and I'd hope they've a plan to respond appropriately to keep the Viper on top. Only time will tell though.

 

[96GTS]

Regardless of your opinion on looks, they listened to the owners and gave you what you wanted: LESS WEIGHT/MORE POWER. I love the way the car looks, and I think Ralph and the crew did a phenomenal job. I was blown away with the Viper...and then my jaw dropped when they rolled out the GTS/R. Totally unexpected! Not only did they bring a new car to the table, they showed up with a car that's ready to go back racing...in a serious way! I'm very glad they went back to the Gen II styling, and I like how the front end was modeled after a snake. Considering all the requirements they have to meet to satisfy the government, they made an incredible car worthy of the Viper name. Let’s face it, the days of raw, basic cars with no ABS, electric windows, door handle or traction control has gone the way of the dinosaur due to big brother. The Gen V is still brutal, but now it’s just has a button that’ll help you until your abilities catch up with the abilities of the car.

The new Vette will have to face the same regulations, and I only hope it's on par with the new Viper because competition improves the breed.

 

[Spook120]

My 08 coupe just became much more appreciated. BY ME! *****

 

[BCBowers]

Regardless of your opinion on looks, they listened to the owners and gave you what you wanted: LESS WEIGHT/MORE POWER. I love the way the car looks, and I think Ralph and the crew did a phenomenal job. I was blown away with the Viper...and then my jaw dropped when they rolled out the GTS/R. Totally unexpected! Not only did they bring a new car to the table, they showed up with a car that's ready to go back racing...in a serious way! I'm very glad they went back to the Gen II styling, and I like how the front end was modeled after a snake. Considering all the requirements they have to meet to satisfy the government, they made an incredible car worthy of the Viper name. Let’s face it, the days of raw, basic cars with no ABS, electric windows, door handle or traction control has gone the way of the dinosaur due to big brother. The Gen V is still brutal, but now it’s just has a button that’ll help you until your abilities catch up with the abilities of the car.

The new Vette will have to face the same regulations, and I only hope it's on par with the new Viper because competition improves the breed.

Well said! A few years ago the Viper was dead and gone. Now it's back in a big way. It's beautiful, more capable, and they have a race variant ready to go!!! That's huge!!!

 

[Looki]

Personally I think the car is a home run.
Looks are spot on. I can wait till the after market gets a hold of it.
Power wise 640Hp is all that is required to make it a world ****** on the track and those that want straight line power need to look at forced induction to even play with the Hondas out there today as no stock platform has any real striaght line performace.

All I can say is job well done Ralph.

Looki

 

[lxadeuce]

i like how the GTS-R has the fog lights like the gen II GTS. i like the GTS-R but as of now, I'm not real sure about the base model. I'm still confused on what model is the top of the line