The Viper is back

All this discussion about the traction control misses two points:
1) The gub'ment mandates it. Can't sell it here without it.
2) It's 100% defeatable. Not many can say that.

poopshovel wrote:

93EXCivic wrote:

Adrian_Thompson wrote:

93EXCivic wrote:

carguy123 wrote: Although I am happy some electronic aids have been added. While I was against them in the beginning I see they really have a place on some cars.

I am not. That is whole damn point of the Viper. A big engine and good suspension and that is it.

I'm under no illusion I'm the next Senna, with that much go go juice under my right foot I'll take some nanny aids.

There are plenty of other cars that offer that stuff.

Out of curiosity, ever driven a Viper?

No. I want to though. Ever one I have talked to though said they are very good handling cars. My point has nothing to do with having driven one though. To me, the Viper has always existed as a gaint berkeley you to the automotive world. It has a plain interior, no driving aids (yes I know traction control can't be helped now) and a lot of power. I guess I am being a bit of a traditionalist about it but I liked the Viper because of what it was,

I like the little nod to Alfa in the nose grill section.

It looks like a Ferrari 612, DB9, and ZR1 got together after a night of partying and some how had a 3-way that produced a car with a face like that.

I have always really like the simplicity of the Viper, a big truck engine in a sports car with nothing to help the driver but pure car control ability. If its not for you, buy a Z06. With all of that said, I would buy a Z06 because I want the pansy assist as of right now.

Ralph drove it out on stage at the reveal today:

and it has a nasty friend:

I love the nasty twin!!

fromeast2west wrote: I like the little nod to Alfa in the nose grill section.

I'm getting a Ferrari vibe (550 Maranello scoop mixed with a bit of 599 Fiorano).

Very Euro for sure, but I like it.

Having seen the hood from a different angle I'm not 100% on that. I think the twin outlets are a little contrived. Overall I do like it though.

To those complaining of traction control. Yes I've driven a Viper, severl. A 2nd Gen GTS on the street and a 3rd gen in autocross. If anything I thought the 3rd gen could use a little more low end torque for exiting some corners. But it was always in nice dry conditions, not in a crappy situation when something unexpected happend. It's defeatable for when you want to on track, but there when you need it. Remember the only reason F1 and race cars don't have the nanny aids is bacuase it's banned, they were faster with it, even with the very best drivers in the world at the wheel.

Goes to show that you can build most anything, and somebody will find something to "hate" about it.

Only thing I don't like is that it looks way too Italian. I'm sorry but no matter how hard I look, I can't see anything American in that, just a Ferrari wannabe. It looks good but being a crude-looking American car was a big part of what a Viper is. I think the headlights may be 90% of the problem, they're practically gushing Italian styling. I bet it would look way better with some cheap and simple headlights like the old Viper had.

Pirelli World Challenge driver Kuno Wittmer has been confirmed alongside German star Dominik Farnbacher and Riley ace Marc Goossens as the first three drivers for the Viper program. Viper race program link

I like the looks. Even if you don't like the looks, you're a complete idiot if you're getting pissy about an American (or any) car company introducing a hardcore, purpose-built, supercar. This will not hurt us, only help.

1988RedT2 wrote: Goes to show that you can build most anything, and somebody will find something to "hate" about it.

Exactly! Here we see an American car company that was against the ropes like only Rocky could be just a handful of months ago making a 600+ super car, not some wheezy appliance. It's made right here in Detroit, not Canada or Mexico. It stays true to it's roots, and those roots trace back to one of the butt kicking-est cars of the 1960's (the most butt kicking-est time for the car), not some modern "retro-mobile". Oh, and they plan on racing it from the git-go!
What do you people want?

GameboyRMH wrote: Only thing I don't like is that it looks way too Italian. I'm sorry but no matter how hard I look, I can't see anything American in that, just a Ferrari wannabe.

Looking at the pics, only the headlights look italian. Everything else looks like a barely changed evolution of the original Viper GTS, which itself looks like a modern Cobra daytona Coupe (which I guess looked like a Ferrari 250 GTO). I dont' see italian in it any more than I see italian in this:

Same roof line and double bubble roof, same rear end and ducktail spoiler, similar haunches, same side scoop and fender sweep, almost the same grille and front spoiler, just the headlights are different and suddenly it's not a Viper?

So it seems everyone wants a car with ill joining panels, headlights that clouded over in 6 months, and an interior that made the original VW bug look ergonomic?

Great comparison.

I'm not much for the front end, but the rest of the car screams (or is it hisses?) Viper.

More image hotlinking:

Chris_V wrote:

GameboyRMH wrote: Only thing I don't like is that it looks way too Italian. I'm sorry but no matter how hard I look, I can't see anything American in that, just a Ferrari wannabe.

Looking at the pics, only the headlights look italian. Everything else looks like a barely changed evolution of the original Viper GTS, which itself looks like a modern Cobra daytona Coupe (which I guess looked like a Ferrari 250 GTO). I dont' see italian in it any more than I see italian in this: Same roof line and double bubble roof, same rear end and ducktail spoiler, similar haunches, same side scoop and fender sweep, almost the same grille and front spoiler, just the headlights are different and suddenly it's not a Viper?

That's exactly what I was thinking. Yeah, the headlights are different but anyone that knows what the first gen viper is knows instantly what that is. Oh wait, the mirrors are on longer stalks. That's not a Viper!

Yeah I think it's all the headlights and candy-red paint. Looks much less Ferrari-ish in silver.

I can't wait to see it in candy blue with white stripes...

Don't get me wrong I would buy it over anything else in that price range. There are just a couple things I don't love about it.

I think all the Vipers look amazing, but am I the only one who hates the sound of a V10? I'd much rather a big block V8 or V12.

Easter eggs!

Laguna Seca:

Nurburgring:

Hmm... Can I order mine with the track map of the 1984 Caesars Palace Grand Prix?

scardeal wrote: I think all the Vipers look amazing, but am I the only one who hates the sound of a V10? I'd much rather a big block V8 or V12.

Go to the 4:00 mark and let me know what you think. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJuWSk_vAWQ&list=UUsxsyssioAZGzMHGeFxM7lw&index=5&feature=plcp