Newsweek article has blurb on new Viper

I was reading the Newsweek article on the Chrysler turn around.

Way at the very end it states. "Emblematic of the transatlantic fertilization is a redesigned Dodge Viper that uses Ferrari technology, due next year. "

Still can't wait to see pictures.

Well, it should be a great car.

I still can't help but feel regret, that the new Viper will not truly be a "homegrown" car, using only American innovation and creativity, what with the stigma of having being helped by Ferrari. No matter how great it turns out to be, people will only think that it somehow owes its' abilities to Ferrari input. It's DNA has been compromised. Now listen, I LOVE ITALY, (been all over it twice, I liked it so much) and have traveled extensively, more than 25 countries around the globe. I'm not one of these narrow-minded ethno-centric Americans that can't see past their own nose, nor do I look down on other nations. Rather, I admire them, and I admire a lot of foreign engineering, too. But to me, it is our pride, and our national honor to meet the challenges head-on in competition, and I always root for the home team. Nationalism can inspire some of the best efforts of mankind, distilling human endeavor to it's greatest potential. So, I do not regret the new Viper for it's foreign ownership, nor it's foreign engineering content, I merely lament the fact that it no longer represents the cumulative efforts of this great nation, an icon of our unique values and determination. And it cannot, if it borrows from Ferrari. I like Ferrari, but I want to compete with them, not acquiesce. To me, they are the honorable competition, the venerable benchmark that we aim to exceed. I long for the days when the all-American Viper won the FIA championship, and glory at Le Mans. Recall also when the Ford GT40 beat the Ferraris at Le Mans, and then Enzo pulled out the following year. Then there was that time when Enzo got the FIA to cancel the sanctioning of Monza, the last race of the season, to avoid losing the FIA championship to the Daytona Coupe. See, he was a proud man, he had passion, and he didn't like to lose. So it should be with us.

The ACR's once-record-holding lap of the Ring may have been the last hurrah for a truly All-American engineered and built sports car.

But like I say, it's gonna be a great car, no doubt. Probably will be beautiful, and a great performer. But I still won't feel great about it, 'cause I can't wave my flag around with utmost pride.

Vic said:

Well, it should be a great car.

I still can't help but feel regret, that the new Viper will not truly be a "homegrown" car, using only American innovation and creativity, what with the stigma of having being helped by Ferrari. No matter how great it turns out to be, people will only think that it somehow owes its' abilities to Ferrari input.
.

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Wasn't the current engine block redesigned by Lamborghini at one point in time? I'm pretty certain there is already some Italian DNA in our beasts.

Cincy

Cincy2 said:

Wasn't the current engine block redesigned by Lamborghini at one point in time? I'm pretty certain there is already some Italian DNA in our beasts.

Cincy

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The Gen1 block had wet sleeve liners, that was the one that Lamborghini helped design. That design was scrapped a long time ago. I think Chrysler had a stake in Lambo at that point, that may have helped defray development costs. Globalism makes me sick. To me, it's synonymous with the decline of the Untied States.

But the Lambo DNA may have helped the Viper get out of the gate, because we're always looked at like a bunch of country bumpkins by much of Europe, with no pedigree. A necessary evil, to help launch the Viper?

Well, like it or not, globalism is here and we have to mine its advantages to survive. SRT is developing this Gen V and probably will have Ferrari intelligence or engineering or whatever to influence all of the vehicles in the SRT lineup. For eveyone of you (like myself) who value American ingenuity and heritage in our cars, there are probably just as many who may be attracted to Ferrari DNA in an SRT car. This could be powerful marketing.

because we're always looked at like a bunch of country bumpkins by much of Europe

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and Canada

Who knows what technology they are talking about (assuming there is any truth to it in the first place). I do know, having my '08 for a few weeks now that to me, if the big 8.4 V10 stays, you can spritz it with all the Ferrari DNA you want and it will still ooze of country bumpkin.

Canada is our brother, so they are bumpkins too.

Vic said:

Globalism makes me sick. To me, it's synonymous with the decline of the Untied States.

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Amen... 40 million Americans on food stamps. 17% real unemployment. The Big 3 on life support. No Vipers at LeMans... I'm sick too... but I'm more pissed than anything.

After 2012 the only difference between one car and another will be the motor. It's just like the 70s when government mandates crushed customer choices of a dozen different motor options within one manufacturer. They did that with their CAFE bs. Now they're killing again with their mandated over-safety nannie crap. The government will let us buy a car with a V10, a V8 or a turbo'd 6. Different nameplates but other than that the same car.

There is no freedom in America. None.

There are many cars that were produced just a few years ago like the Ford GT or Saleen S7 that would not pass crash tests or emissions standards today or in the next couple years. Somehow, tiny cars like the Smart are allowed to share the roads alongside the overweight minivans even though an accident in a Smart would be closer to the results if they were on a motorcycle. Cars like my 2010 Challenger V6 could have been at least 300 lbs lighter if crash test standards were not so strict. Yes the crash standards do save lives upon impact but 300 extra lbs makes it that much harder to stop in time and avoid the accident all together. The extra weight also kills fuel economy. Think of how much money could be saved by the automakers if they didn't have to update their designs every year to meet regulations. With all the nannies on cars, it makes it more and more necessary to trade in before the warranty expires. I could go on and on.

No doubt regulations add costs but I think the marketplace has more to do with making the automakers change their designs more often. By marketplace, I mean the competition and consumer desires.

"There is no freedom in America. None. " Wow, you really believe that Chuck? It sounds more like anger than an observation. We still enjoy many freedoms that other countries don't have. I think all things considered, US is still the best place to live. If you are talking about automotive freedoms; well yes, we let too many people who should not be driving on the road have licenses.

Vic said:

The Gen1 block had wet sleeve liners, that was the one that Lamborghini helped design. That design was scrapped a long time ago. I think Chrysler had a stake in Lambo at that point, that may have helped defray development costs. Globalism makes me sick. To me, it's synonymous with the decline of the United States.

But the Lambo DNA may have helped the Viper get out of the gate, because we're always looked at like a bunch of country bumpkins by much of Europe, with no pedigree. A necessary evil, to help launch the Viper?

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Chrysler owned Lamborghini 1987-1994 and the Viper was created during that time.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_LA_engine#8.0_Viper_V10

viperbilliam said:

Well, like it or not, globalism is here and we have to mine its advantages to survive.

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Sure globalism is just great if you're a third world nation. We're 15 Trillion in the hole and still giving billions to people that despise us for our prosperity... When China moves in and starts taking us over they'll be chuckling... "Hahahaha remember the whole globalism fad... "

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