While there have been many rumors about another generation Viper in the works, Steve Beahm – Head of Passenger Cars, Dodge//SRT, Chrysler and FIAT, FCA North America confirmed those rumors were false in an interview with Motor Trend Magazine.
There were reports that the Viper is coming back. – Motor Trend
As Mr. Marchionne indicated, the Viper is not in the [next five-year] plan. – Steve Beahm
Former FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne stated when asked a question about if there would be a “new Dodge Viper” during the June 1st, Capital Markets Day press conference in which FCA released it’s 5-year plan for its global brands…
That’s a great question. … It’s not in the plan, if that’s what you’re asking.” Didn’t make money, and wouldn’t work with a “cute” Euro-style engine…” – Sergio Marchionne
Since the Viper ended production, FCA announced that Conner Avenue Assembly Plant, the former production home of the iconic Dodge Viper, will get a second life as an internal meeting and display space that will showcase the Company’s concept and historic vehicle collection.
Renamed Conner Center, the former manufacturing facility, tucked in a Detroit neighborhood just south of the famed 8 Mile Road, will have space to exhibit 85 of the nearly 400 concept and historic vehicles that will now be stored on site under one roof. Previously, the Company’s extensive collection was housed in several locations.
“With a storied history of its own, the Conner Avenue facility is an ideal location to showcase the vehicles that have sustained the Company for more than 92 years,” said Brandt Rosenbusch, Manager, Historical Services. “We are proud of our history and have been working diligently in the daily care and restoration of these important vehicles. This move will allow us to house all of our collection under one roof and have the space to share that history with our employees.”
Approximately 77,000 of the plant’s nearly 400,000 square-feet of floor space will be dedicated to displaying vehicles like the 1902 Rambler, the oldest in the collection, to one of the most significant, the 1924 Chrysler Touring. Conner’s administrative offices will be converted into nearly 22,000 square-feet of meeting space that can accommodate gatherings of various sizes. It is expected that the facility, built-in 1966, could also open its doors to the public in the future. The building should be available for use by internal groups and departments in the second quarter of 2018.
With the Viper’s manufacturing home gone, there aren’t too many places that could hand-build the speciality car in North America for Dodge if they decided to make the model return.
While a return of a Dodge Viper seems to not to be in the cards, many Viper owners are happy about the decision. Viper owners are amongst the most diehard car enthusiast in the automotive community. If the Viper would return to production with anything put a V10 engine and six-speed manual, most of the owner community would be upset.
With it being confirmed that the Dodge Viper nameplate won’t return, it doesn’t mean that another GT style sports car wouldn’t take its place. It is very possible that the Dodge//SRT brands could have some kind of V8 sports car in the near future, possibly sharing platforms with a future Alfa Romeo or Maserati.
