It brings me no joy to sit behind the wheel of a C8 Z06. Well, perhaps a little joy, but that is not the point. The real issue is why we have not seen a new Dodge Viper in several years. Currently, I suffer through driving a Corvette because Dodge does not offer a direct competitor. However, that is about to change.
I want to talk about what I want to see in a successor. Furthermore, I want to discuss facts regarding its development. We have gathered real signals from Dodge and SRT about a true rival to the Corvette. Therefore, let’s cut through the noise and get into the insider details.
Insider Intel: Clay Models Are Real
Many of you know the Dodge Viper is one of my “Mount Rushmore” cars. Visually, it is one of the best vehicles ever produced. Unfortunately, production ended in 2017. As a result, the market has been wide open for the C8 Corvette to dominate.
However, during Roadkill Nights, insiders dropped some massive news. Specifically, people told us that Dodge definitely wants to make another Viper. In fact, some confirmed they were going to start making clay models. This would be a new car acting as a spiritual successor.
It might not look exactly like the traditional long-nose Viper. On the other hand, it could be a completely new take on a sports car. Personally, I would not be opposed to a fresh design. The key takeaway is that Dodge is actively exploring the molds for this project. Consequently, the dream of a new halo car is very much alive.
Accessibility Over Boutique Pricing
We previously spoke with SRT CEO Tim Kuniskis and Dodge CEO Matt McAlear about this topic. Basically, they told us they do not want to make a boutique vehicle. A boutique car would be stupidly expensive. As a result, very few enthusiasts could actually afford one. Instead, their target is accessibility.
For example, a mid-engine Viper based on the Maserati MC20 makes perfect sense. Stellantis already has the mid-engine platform available. However, the MC20 starts in the $200,000 range. That is too high for a mass-market Dodge. Therefore, they would need to cut costs significantly.
To achieve this, engineers could swap the carbon fiber monocoque for fiberglass or composite materials. This is exactly how Chevy keeps the C8 Corvette affordable. I would not be opposed to a Viper priced between $110,000 and $120,000. That price range is currently standard for Z06s and ZR1s. Ultimately, Dodge wants to target the Corvette directly, not the exotic market.
Ralph Gilles and the Gen 6 Regret
We know Ralph Gilles has wanted to bring this car back for a long time. In fact, he stated on a podcast that one of his biggest regrets was failing to get a Gen 6 Viper approved. He specifically wanted to integrate a paddle-shift system into the car. Unfortunately, they could not package it correctly at the time.
Now that the car is gone, people appreciate it more. It is a classic case of not knowing what you have until you lose it. But the desire to fix that mistake is strong within Stellantis. Gilles mentioned that the original Challenger took only 22 months from clay model to production. However, that car shared many parts with the Charger. A new Viper would be different.
The Timeline: Targeting 2029
This new project would be a ground-up build. It does not share parts with existing Dodge muscle cars. Therefore, development will take longer than the Challenger did. If I had to place a timeline on this, I would say we are at least three to four years away.
Currently, we are in 2025. Adding three or four years puts us right around 2028 or 2029. Interestingly, this lines up perfectly with the timeline for the C9 Corvette. We expect the C9 to launch around 2029. Consequently, we could see a massive showdown between a brand-new Corvette and this Dodge successor.
Manufacturing: The Brampton Solution
A major question mark is where Dodge will build this car. Currently, there is no clear spot for it. However, I have a theory regarding the Brampton Assembly Plant. It would be cool if Brampton became the epicenter of Dodge performance.
They could build this new Viper successor alongside the rumored $30,000 smaller sports car. Brampton already has a history of building legendary Mopar performance cars. Therefore, giving them the next generation makes sense. In addition, it would get the Canadian government off Stellantis’ back regarding production commitments.
Alternatively, production could move to Belvidere or the new SRT headquarters. Stellantis is currently shuffling production lines. For instance, the Ram midsize truck moved to Toledo. As a result, factory space is opening up. But Brampton remains my top choice for this project.
Powertrain Possibilities: V8 vs. V10
What will power this new beast? I certainly hope we see a V10 version. However, it might not be the only engine. Similar to the Corvette lineup, Dodge could offer tiers. For example:
- Base Model: A V8 engine, potentially the new Gen 4 Hemi.
- High Performance: A classic V10 configuration.
The Corvette Stingray uses a standard V8, while the Z06 uses a flat-plane crank V8. Dodge could follow this playbook. A lower-trim V8 would make the car attainable. Meanwhile, a V10 would satisfy the purists. We simply do not know for sure yet. However, the Gen 4 Hemi project is real, and this would be the perfect vehicle to debut it.
Final Thoughts
There is absolutely a place in the automotive market for a new Viper. Buyers would widely adopt a car with both manual and automatic transmissions. The Dodge Charger Six-Pack prototype proved they can make heavy cars handle. Imagine what they could do with a lightweight, mid-engine platform.
I really want to see this replacement car. While we won’t see it tomorrow, the clay models prove it is in motion. Dodge is gunning for the Corvette. Stay tuned.
