The article doesn't make it sound like it's going away
2013.....Same fangs, more comfort
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I’ve always felt right at home in the burly Dodge, which is less of a handful than most people think. You just have to respect its incredible power and not do anything really stupid. As others have suggested, I find the Dodge more forgiving and controllable on the track than the Corvette Z06, which is decidedly more tail-happy than the Dodge – though the Corvette obviously whips the Dodge in terms of everyday comfort, passenger space, interior quality and even fuel economy.
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The snobs who dismissed the Viper as nothing but a crude muscle car with a giant engine stuffed inside got their comeuppance at the 24 Hours of LeMans, where the Dodge Viper ruled the production-based class for years, beating every Porsche and, yes, Corvette that dared to challenge it.
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There's no more rationale for Chrysler to dump the line than there is for GM dumping the Z06, ZR1 or the vette line in general. As a matter of fact, stopping production for a short period to retool and redesign, a more user friendly design a la the corvette, could well result in two things happening:
1) A rise in value for the older, more basic models (some people want that crude race car feel), as collectors cars and such.
2) A "new" breed of buyer that wants the speed, handleing, and creature comforts (a la the Z06/ZR1 buyer) and has the $$$ to afford it. Of course, this would be pricepointed in the Z06/ZR1 range as well...another ++ for Chrysler
Heck, if they made the improvements, and I hit the lottery, I'd buy one in a second! I've always loved the look of the Viper!
But I didn't care for the raw feel on the street. For that kind of $$$ I could buy the vette and still keep my spleen, hearing, kidneys....
Overall, if they do what the article implies, you'll see a 2013+ Viper with the same or better HP, better handling characteristics, and over all, better streetability.
Who knows? Maybe AC and a decent stereo system as well? Traction control?
This ought to get good!