Chrysler to Halt Viper Production Friday
http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2010/ ... on-friday/
Chrysler Group LLC officially halts production on its hip Dodge Viper hot rod Friday bringing what may be the end to a vehicle that has spawned fan clubs and given the auto maker a touch of cool.
The Viper is now on a two-year hiatus after which the auto maker’s executive team could bring it back with a new look and design with the help of Fita SpA’s expertise. Chrysler merged its assets with Fiat last year. The Conner Avenue Assembly plant will go into idle status and its 88 employees are being redeployed to other Chrysler plants.
The phase out of the Viper was announced in November when Sergio Marchionne outlined his five-year turnaround plan for the company. Although a car enthusiast favorite, the Viper always remained a niche with less than 2,000 sold each year.
Former Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli had considered selling off the Viper brand in 2008 as part of a move to trim $1 billion in costs from the company. Marchionne later quashed that idea.
The Viper, which debuted as a concept vehicle in 1989, injected a tough and fast feel into the Dodge brand with its V-10 engine. Critics hailed the design at a time when the auto maker was producing its K-cars and minivans.
The roadster version, which went into production in 1992, featured a side-mounted exhaust, athletic designing with scoops running from the front to the doors. The 400 horsepower engine allowed the Viper to go from zero to 60 miles per hour in 4.6 seconds. The vehicle sold for almost $56,000 in 1992. A coupe was also offered starting in 1996.
