The next-generation Dodge Viper isn’t due for another year or two but that doesn’t mean Mopar can’t give you a taste of Viper power – if you have the cash.

Chrysler Group’s Mopar performance division has just announced the availability of a V10 crate engine at the SEMA show. It’s an impressive lump – it’s a hand built 512 cubic-inch (8.4 litre), aluminum block V-10. In terms of power it pumps out 800 horses and 941Nm of torque.

Mopar claims that the engine is designed for drag racing which may mean it has emissions issues for on-road use. There are future versions planned for off-road racing and circuit racing but don’t expect these crate engines to come cheap. (more…)

The machine you see pictured above is one of the world’s most hardcore wagons, and is an example of what can happen when imagination meets opportunity and engineering ability.

This radical Saab estate comes from it’s homeland of Sweden where a mad crew of mechanics transformed a Dodge Viper into this menacing 9-3 SRT10 MegaPower.

It began with what was meant to be a much easier project when  a wrecked Dodge Viper SRT-10 was bought with the intention of rebuilding it. Unfortunately, the Viper was smashed up pretty bad and unsurprisingly there were few SRT-10 parts available in Sweden. So what can you do? These guys decided on stripping down the Viper’s body and using the mechanical hardware and parts on the chassis on a Saab 9-3 Sport Combi. (more…)

Dodge teases Viper V10-powered Chrysler 300C

It’s finally the end of an era for one of the most iconic American sports cars of the past two decades as the very last current-generation Dodge Viper rolled out of the firm’s Conner Avenue plant in Detroit.

The final 2010 Dodge Viper is a bit special too, being a fully customized coupe model for Viper crazy lady D’Ann Rauh, who along with her husband Wayne from Arp, Texas, own more than 40 Dodge Vipers. That’s a lot of Vipers and the couple officially own the largest personal collection of Vipers in the world.

The landmark Viper is finished in a custom bronzed gold exterior paint supplied by House of Kolor, while unique interior features include various leather appointments and unique trim. The one of a kind package is finished off by dark graphite five-spoke forged-aluminum wheels.

Production of the V10-powered Dodge Viper began back in 1992. A next generation model has been rumored but is still to be officially confirmed.

To see a video of the final Viper rolling out click on the link below. (more…)

Back in 1987, Chrysler purchased a stagnant Lamborghini, and within two years had Lambo hard at work developing a V10 engine program that would ultimately lead to both the Dodge Viper and the Lamborghini Gallardo. Ironically now, two decades later, it’s Chrysler that’s in trouble with an Italian carmaker coming to the rescue. Fresh reports are now suggesting that the replacement for the Viper’s V10 could infact be derived from Ferrari’s next-generation engine program.

Chrysler’s original plan was to sell of the Viper business, but no serious money was put on the table for it. Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne has become keen on taking advantage of the sportscar’s standing as the company’s halo vehicle. But with Chrysler unable to pay the heavy costs of developing the next-generation Viper, the engine program could be borrowed from the same basic powerplant that will propel upcoming Ferraris and Maseratis.

Ferrari has essentially only had four engine designs in its history: the Colombo design was in use from the company’s beginnings all the way through the ’90s. The Lampredi engine was used on a handful of vehicles in the 50′s before being phased out. The Dino engine had V6, V8 and V12 versions and was used until just a few years ago, while the current Ferrari/Maserati engine powers all vehicles in both companies’ current ranges as well as the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione. Its 90-degree replacement will most likely come in various configurations including a flat-plane crank V8 for Ferrari, a cross-plane crank for Maserati and a pushrod V10 for the Viper.

It’s one of our favourite cars and an icon in its own right. It’s just a shame De Tomaso also loaned its name to a Daihatsu Charade – that would be like Ferrari loaning its name to a VW Beetle.

The rumour is that if the Pantera/Panthera is reborn it will be based on Audi R8/Lamborghini Gallardo technology rather than Ford’s, which could make it quite expensive. And also a V10. But, since a V10 actually does have eight cylinders (with two spare), and this car looks hot, we thought you’d like to know.

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