Speaking at Chrysler’s 5-year business plan conference today, president and CEO Ralph Gilles confirmed that Chrysler will produce only 500 more units of the Dodge Viper. A new sports car will replace the Viper in the summer of 2012 and it won’t be anything like the old-school model.

Gilles said that the new sports car will be built in collaboration with Fiat. Of course, that’s not a bad thing seeing as Fiat has some very nice friends in Maranello – Ferrari.

Also, the new Dodge logo will lose the horns and will just say “DODGE” on a black background and a touch of red.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Straightline

Chrysler’s Dodge Viper business, which is now fully owned by Fiat,  will continue on with its 2009 model year lineup and is expected to switch over to the 2010 model year in January. According to sources, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne has big plans for the Viper brand and thinks it could potentially be to Dodge what the Miata is to Mazda.

Rumors in Torino, Italy say that Fiat is considering fitting the Dodge Viper with a V10 version of the next-generation corporate V8. The program could be derived from the same powerplant that will be found in future Maserati and Ferrari models.

As CARandDRIVER points out, an interesting iron here is that Chrysler saved troubled Lamborghini in 1987. The move gave birth to the V10 powerplant for the Dodge Viper and the Lamborghini Gallardo.

- By: Stephen Calogera

Source: CARandDRIVER

Killing all the controversy over its Viper business, Chrysler Group LLC announced today that the production of the Dodge Viper SRT10 will continue through 2009. The company said today that its Viper business is no longer for sale and that it will continue making the model through 2010 and beyond.

“The Dodge Viper has successfully captured the hearts and imagination of performance enthusiasts around the globe,” said Mike Accavitti, President and Chief Executive Officer, Dodge Brand. “We’re extremely proud that the ultimate American-built sports car with its world-class performance will live on as the iconic image leader for the Dodge brand.”

Chrysler put the Viper business up for sale in August of last year. It was looking for $10 million for the Conner Avenue plant that produces the Viper.

Chrysler will continue on with its 2009 model year lineup and is expected to switch over to the 2010 model year in January.

Click through for the press release.

Press Release:

Dodge Viper SRT10 Will Live On

Auburn Hills, Mich., Jul 10, 2009 – Chrysler Group LLC announced today that production will continue for the legendary Dodge Viper SRT10.

Originally slated to cease production in December 2009, the Chrysler Group Conner Avenue Assembly Plant – the exclusive home of Dodge Viper production since 1995 – will continue to build the V-10 powered sports car. Chrysler Group is no longer pursuing a sale of the Viper business assets.

“The Dodge Viper has successfully captured the hearts and imagination of performance enthusiasts around the globe,” said Mike Accavitti, President and Chief Executive Officer, Dodge Brand. “We’re extremely proud that the ultimate American-built sports car with its world-class performance will live on as the iconic image leader for the Dodge brand.”

Introduced as a concept car in 1989 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the Dodge Viper was designed and engineered to test public reaction to the concept of a back-to-basics, high-performance, limited production sports car.

The reaction was so overwhelming that customer orders began to flow in even before the auto show was over. Chrysler Corporation immediately decided to determine the production feasibility on transforming the crowd-pleasing Dodge Viper show car into a limited-production sports car in no more than three years.

In May 1990, after months of intensive study and testing, Chrysler Corporation announced that the Dodge Viper, powered by an aluminum V-10 was a “go.”

Dodge Viper production began in May 1992 at the New Mack Assembly Plant and was moved to Conner Avenue in October 1995. Viper V-10 engine production transferred from Mound Road Engine to Conner Avenue Assembly in May 2001. In 2008, Dodge introduced the all-new, fourth generation Dodge Viper SRT10. With more horsepower, more torque and more than 30 exterior and interior color combinations, the latest Viper gives enthusiasts the performance they expect on the track and off, with more factory customization options than before.

For 2009, the Dodge Viper SRT10 offers outrageous power, with an 8.4-liter, 600-horsepower (450 kW) V-10 engine contributing to blistering acceleration (0-60 mph in less than four seconds, 0-100-0 mph in the low 12-second range), setting an American sports car benchmark.

To date, more than 25,000 Dodge Vipers have been built.

- By: Omar Rana

The folks over at Inside Line have done some digging and found out the Chrysler has handed over its Viper assets to Fiat, which took control of the Auburn Hills automaker on Wednesday as it emerged from Chap. 11.

Viper now being owned by Fiat means that Scott Devon, supercar entrepreneur who owns Devon MotorWorks, is still looking for a donor car for his company’s new Devon GTX. Scott Devon had made a $5.5 million bid for Viper brand and offered to lease out Chrysler’s Connor Avenue plant where the Viper is assembled.

In bankruptcy court, Chrysler said that it had no offers for Viper prior to its Chapter 11 filing.

It was reported earlier this month that Chrysler failed to disclose another $35 million bid for Viper. In a letter to Bob Nardelli, Rep. Darrell Issa, Calif. said that the lack of disclosure about the information on the bid suggests that Chrysler’s bankruptcy was mishandled.

Guess all that doesn’t matter anymore.

- By: Mo Eladawy

Source: Inside Line

Last month when Chrysler listed most of its $2 billion assets in bankruptcy court, the Auburn Hills automaker said that it didn’t have any firm offers for its Viper brand, which was put up for sale last August. The only offer that Chrysler listed was a $5.5 billion bid by Devon Motors Works.

Now there is a new twist to the Viper story. A California congressman asked former CEO Bob Nardelli to disclose information on a $35 million bid for Viper. He said that the offer hand been hidden from Chrysler’s bankruptcy filing.

In a letter to Bob Nardelli, Rep. Darrell Issa, Calif. said that the lack of disclosure about the information on the bid suggests that Chrysler’s bankruptcy was mishandled. He said that Chrysler must provide proof that Fiat SpA was not trying to get rid of Viper altogether in order to eliminate a rival to its Ferrari unit.

Issa said that a group of investors had been exploring to buy Chrysler’s Viper business in March and April. He said that the group had spoken to Louisiana officials and that the office has a record of a sales agreement that was never signed.

“If it is the case that Fiat used its ‘hard-fought’ superior bargaining position to establish as a condition of the merger a requirement that Chrysler allow the Viper brand to disappear in order to reduce competition for Ferrari, this too must be presented to the court, said Issa.”

All we can say is – Sergio Marchionne may have been threatened with the Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR’s 7:22.1 Nurburgring lap.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Free Press

As Chrysler looks to sell most of its assets for $2 billion out of bankruptcy to a new company, the Auburn Hills automaker said that it did not receive an offer for its Dodge Viper business, which it priced at $10 million.

CEO Bob Nardelli said in a U.S. bankruptcy Court filing in New York that the lack of bidders for the Detroit factory showed limited value of the brands automotive assets in a liquidation. Viper is not among the assets that will be sold to Fiat SpA in the new company that will come out of the bankruptcy filing.

Chrysler has been looking to sell Viper since August of 2008.

It said that it received an offer for $5.5 million by Devon Motors Works to buy the Viper business and lease the Detroit plant for a year. According to the bankruptcy filing documents, Chrysler is looking to verify that Devon Motor Works has access to financing.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Free Press

Wondering what’s going to happen with Viper now that Chrysler is restructuring under bankruptcy and will eventually be handed over to Fiat? So are we. Well, the folks at Inside Line did some serious digging and found out that the Viper brand may not survive beyond next year.

Chrysler’s documents show that its assets and liabilities are split into two groups – OldCo (old company) and New Chrysler, the company in which Fiat will assume majority stake.

“The major assets remaining in OldCo would include eight manufacturing facilities, and related machinery and equipment, with a book value of $2.3 billion,” said Robert Manzo in his declaration. “The [Section] 363 balance sheet analysis anticipates that certain plant and facility assets would be left behind in OldCo and closed by 2010.”

That list includes the Conner plant which builds the Viper and employs 115 workers.

Inside Line decided to contact Chrysler spokesman Todd Goyer via e-mail questioning Viper’s future. Goyer said: 

“As previously indicated, Chrysler LLC is evaluating strategic alternatives for the Viper business including the potential sale of the Viper nameplate, Conner Avenue Assembly Plant, and/or associated tooling and resources. During this process Chrysler has been approached by a number of parties interested in purchasing the business.

“Chrysler continues to evaluate these proposals in an effort to maximize the value of the Viper business. No timeline has been established in connection with this process, and Chrysler will not comment on the nature of ongoing discussions or negotiations or confirm the identity of any of the interested parties.”

- By: The Daily Auto Editor

Source: Inside Line

As you’ve probably heard by now, a company known as MJ Acquisitions has purchased most of Saleen’s street-performance car, aftermarket and supercharger business. According to Automotive News, it is now reported that MJ Acquisitions along with other Michigan auto-related companies have considered buying Chrysler’s Dodge Viper business.

Chrysler announced recently that it has had three offers for its Viper business since the automaker put it up for sale in August 2008. Chrysler declined to name the three companies from which it received offers.

According to Mike Shields, who owns a controlling interest in MJ Acquisition, Cyltec, Arrow Racing Engines, Control-Tec and Power-Tec Engineering, the group has considered purchasing Viper.

Shields would not say whether his group is among the three bidders Chrysler speaks of. The Viper operation includes a factory in Detroit, the workers and the car itself.

Following its announcement of a 55 percent decrease in January 2009 sales, Chrysler LLC’s co-President Jim Press said that the company has had three offers to buy its Dodge Viper sports car business.

Chrysler announced plans to sell Viper back in August 2008. Sale of the Viper business has become an important part of the company’s turnaround plan to avoid bankruptcy. According to Automotive News, Press said that the company doesn’t anticipate a sale prior to the Feb. 17 deadline set by Congress where Chrysler must submit a restructuring plan to the U.S. Treasury to show long-term viability by March 31.

Press did not mention how much Chrysler is anticipating to get for its Viper business. Sales of Viper cars grew 74 percent in January from a year earlier to 127 units. 1,172 Vipers were sold in the U.S. in 2008.

In a time of economic turmoil and in a time where gas-guzzling models aren’t popular, Chrysler’s hottest-selling vehicle is its most expensive and one of its least fuel-efficient – the Dodge Viper. According to Chrysler’s Vice Chairman Jim Press, the Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR is basically ’sold out.’ In reality, dealers still have a few units left according to Chrysler’s spokesman Nick Kappa.

Press says that the horrible economy is exactly the reason why Viper sales have been steady.

“Those customers are in a high-income group, and [a Viper] is a safe haven,” Press said. “Look at what’s happened in their stock portfolios: The resale value of Vipers shows they’re still in great demand. Smart investors figure out it’s a safe place to put their money — and also have a lot of fun.”

Chrysler is selling about 100 units of the Viper a month. In the meantime, talks for the sale of the Viper business are progressing. Sources say that even if Chrysler ends up merging with GM, the Viper business will still be sold.

2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR:

Source: InsideLine

Chrysler announced today that it has multiple offers for its Viper sports car business and is currently in the process of reviewing offers. Chrysler’s Dodge Viper business has been on sale before talks with GM started so we’re not sure yet if GM is going to pick up the snake business.

While Chrysler didn’t disclose any information about the bids, insiders familiar with the talks say that no additional bids are being taken as of now. Reports suggest that Chrysler has identified about $1 billion in non-earning assets if a potential sale is to through.

It’s been previously reported that the ROUSH and Saleen tuning houses are interested in purchasing the Viper business.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

Chrysler sales have dropped more than 25 percent this year. To give themselves a little boost the company will start offering employee discount prices to Wal-Mart workers starting Nov. 1. According to Chrysler spokeswoman Curtrise Garner, Wal-Mart is the brand’s largest fleet customers.

The retail giant’s 1.4 million employees will be eligible to get 4 percent to 6 percent or 8 percent to 14 percent off the MSRP.

Chrysler also announced that it will offer its employees and eligible friends and families an employee discount on most Dodge Vipers models excluding the ACR Vipers. We’re not sure how much Chrysler will chop off the MSRP but the starting price for the base Viper is $88,385. So if you’ve got a friend or family member that works at Chrysler and you’ve always wanted a Viper, now seems to be the best time. Who knows where they’ll be working a month from now.

Source: Free Press

We already know that Chrysler’s Viper business is under ’strategic review’ – another nice way of saying ‘we may sell it.’ While Chrysler isn’t rushing out to sell Viper like GM is going crazy trying to sell HUMMER, the news of the model being under strategic review has attracted a lot of interest from third parties.

While many of you may be thinking this ‘interest’ may be from those rich sheiks from the Middle East, Jim Press, Chrysler’s vice chairman told Motor Trend that the news is generating quite a feedback from third parties in North America alone.

Who’s calling up CEO Nardelli? Well it’s probably obvious. Press tossed around names like Roush and Saleen. Saleen is already involved with the assembly of the Viper. Press would not say exactly how many parties have contacted Chrysler.

In the mean time the Viper SRT10 ACR continues to kick ZR1’s and GT-R’s arse on the Nurburgring.

Source: Motor Trend

Last week we told you about Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR’s record breaking 7:22.1 lap around the famous Nurburgring in Germany. Chrysler has now released an official video of the lap. The car was driven by Dutch WTCC driver Tom Coronel who beat Corvette ZR1’s 7:26.4 time.

Refresher: Power comes from an 8.4-liter aluminum V10 engine that produces 600 horsepower and 560 lb-ft. of torque. Pricing starts at $98,110 including an $850 destination charge. Oh, and Chrysler may sell its Dodge Viper business.

Click through for the video.

2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR:

We’d just like to start off by saying – what a horrible time for Chrysler to announce that it may sell its Dodge Viper business. According to Motor Trend, which makes it pretty official, the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR recently brought in a Nurburgring lap time of 7:22.1, beating the Corvette ZR1’s 7:26.4 and Nissan GT-R’s 7:29 time.

FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) driver Tom Coronel piloted the Viper SRT10 ACR around the Nurburgring with his first attempt bringing in a time of 7:42. The second and third attempts came in at 7:35 and 7:24 respectively. The fourth time Coronel took the Viper SRT10 ACR around the Nurburgring he shocked the crowed with his record breaking time of 7:22.1

You can check out the video of the run over at Motor Trend.

Refresher: Power comes from an 8.4-liter aluminum V10 engine that produces 600 horsepower and 560 lb-ft. of torque.

Click through for more pictures.

2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR Gallery:

Source: Motor Trend