The nation's largest Dodge Viper dealer

If we were told to think of the places where you were most likely to find the nation's largest dealer of a large, growling, all-American sports car, Blair, Neb., probably wouldn't come to mind.

But there is Woodhouse Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep, right across from a street from a Wal-Mart that's being built in what used to be a corn field. We mentioned the dealer recently in a post about how Dodge is giving special editions of the sports car, the Dodge Viper, to three dealers. Then we heard from Woodhouse's Viper, SRT and Hurst manager, Bill Pemberton, who filled us in on the details.

"I sell the bulk of our cars to New York, New Jersey, California," Pemberton says. They contact Woodhouse in Blair, about 20 miles from Omaha, rather than their local dealer, because of its speciality tuning operation, he adds.

Dodge Viper to get a Final Edition

The Dodge Viper is not slithering off into the desert unnoticed.

Chrysler Group LLC is preparing to start production of yet another limited run. This time it is the 2010 Viper SRT10 Final Edition; 50 will be made, each with numbered dash plaques.

The Final Editions will be built in three body types: 20 coupes, 18 roadsters and 12 ACR (American Club Racer) models, all marked by a black center stripe traced in red and unique side sill badges and floor mats. Red accents continue inside, in the stitching, on gauges and the center stack.

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Powering the Vipers is the same V-10 that is in other SRT10 versions of the sports car that is in its final lap, with production at Detroit's Conner Avenue plant to cease by July.

Assembly of the Final Edition models begins in early summer.

Chrysler last month began making 50 Viper SRT10 ACR-X limited-edition models.

The automaker is exploring whether to revive the Viper name in 2012, but no decision has been made.

All New Dodge Viper SRT-10

Dodge could not have made a better appearance at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show with the much hyped Viper SRT 10. Dodge SRT 10 offers an incredible 8.4 liter V-10 engine, churning out 600 horsepower (450kW), and capable of performing some remarkably insane action on the road. This beast races from 0-60 mph in less than 4 seconds and 0-100 mph in 12 seconds boasting a sport car performance.

The 2009 Dodge Viper SRT10 is available in two body styles – Roadster and Coupe. Both design features a substantial cowl with a more efficient cowl scoop for air induction and functional cowl. This provides a greater cooling effect for the coercive 8.4-liter 600-horsepower V-10 engine underneath.

The design features a strong exposed induction with the help of an effective head scoop while the hood’s functional louvers complement the aggressive look of the viper. The 2009 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe offers accumulated down force and high-speed stability with its curved roof and deck lid spoiler. To add more to it, the Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe features an extra 6.25 boxlike feet of luggage space than the Viper SRT10 Roadster.The 2009 Dodge Viper SRT10 will be available in four new exterior colors.

Dodge Viper Production to End, New Car in 2012

At the Chrysler Group business plan presentation today, Ralph Gilles, the recently appointed President and CEO of Dodge, made several product announcements, but one in particular stood out. Gilles announced that when the current run of 500 Vipers is completed by the end of the year, production will end.

The V-10-powered Viper has become an iconic vehicle since production began in 2002. And our drive of the Viper ACR left little doubt that the Viper is still a world-class sports car.

But thankfully, that's not the end of the story. Gilles went on to say that a new Dodge super sports car is in the works, and it should be on the market by summer of 2012. Gilles said that the new car will draw from the Italian performance car heritage of his new Fiat/Alfa overlords and that it will utilize Fiat alliance resources. So it's clear that the new car will have a generous share of Italian DNA.

At this point, it is unclear if the new car will indeed be called Viper. Given that it will likely be an extreme departure from the present car, the question becomes, should it be? Would anything less than a V-10 be a disappointment? What about a hybrid or other next-generation powertrain?

Let us know what you think about the future of the Dodge's next halo sports car.

Dodge Viper Fast Car

Dodge Viper is a V10 powered sports car developed by Chrysler. Samuel Hubinette won the Formula Drift Championship in 2004 and 2006 drifting a Dodge Viper and the Viper has won several FIA GT Championships and two 24 Hours of Le Mans wins.

The Viper began in 1988 when Chrysler president Bob Lutz recommended building a modern Cobra to designer Tom Gale of Chrysler’s Advanced Design Studios. Carroll Shelby was influential in design also and used the legendary AC Cobra and Shelby Cobra Daytona as his inspiration. At the time, Lamborghini was a subsidiary of Chrysler and they were tasked with casting a prototype aluminum engine block for the Viper based on Dodge’s V10 truck engine.

The concept car was originally named Copperhead and first appeared at the North American International Auto Show in 1989. The concept was a big hit and Chrysler chief engineer Roy Sjeoberg and Team Viper got the ok to develop the concept car into a standard production vehicle. In May 1990, Lee Iacocca approved production of the Viper and retail shipments began in January 1992.

First generation SR (1992–1995)

The heart of the Viper is its V10 aluminum truck engine. Chrysler’s intention for the new Viper was clear, performance is first priority. The SR generation lacked ABS brakes, traction control, door handles, a roof, windows, or any luxury amenities what so ever. The SR Viper had a soft top that was used as a storage/rain cover. Carroll Shelby drove a SR Viper as the pace car in the 1991 Indianapolis 500.

Engine Specs:
8.0 L (488.2 cu in) V10
400 hp (298 kW)
465 ft lbf (630 Nm)

Performance:
0-60: 4.5 sec
0-100: 10.0 sec
1/4 mile: 12.5 sec @ 120 mph (193 km/h)
Top speed: +180 mph (290 km/h)
700 ft (210 m) slalom: over 66 mph (106 km/h)
Skidpad average g: 0.96

Second generation SR (1996–2002)

In 1996 a coupe model called the GTS was introduced with a lighter more powerful engine. The roof featured raised sections known as the “double bubble” above each seat to accommodate drivers wearing helmets. In 1999 18” wheels and an improved exhaust system further refined the Viper. Perhaps not technically a new generation, the second SR Viper increased horsepower, stiffened and lightened chassis, improved suspension and braking - ABS system introduced in 2001. The Viper GTS was chosen as the pace car for the 1996 Indianapolis 500.

Engine Specs:
8.0 L (488.2 cu in) V10
450 hp (336 kW)

Performance (GTS):
0-60: 4.0 sec
0-100: 8.6 sec
1/4 mile: 12.2 sec @ 118 mph (190 km/h)
Top speed: +190 mph (306 km/h)[citation needed]
Slalom: 71.3 mph (115 km/h)
Skidpad average acceleration: 0.98 g (9.6 m/s²)

Third generation ZB (2003-2006)

A major redesign in 2003 introduced the third ZB generation Dodge Viper. Daimler Chrysler’s Street and Racing Technology Group were in charge of the build. The Viper became more angular and aggressive looking and the engine was enlarged to 8.3 L (505 cid/8,285 cc) that increased output to 500 hp (370 kW) and 525 lb ft (712 Nm) of torque.

Engine Specs:
8.3 L (506.5 cu in) V10
510 bhp (380 kW) @ 5600 rpm
535 lb ft (725 Nm) @ 4200 rpm

Performance:
0-60: 3.9 sec
0-100: 8.3 sec
1/4 mile: 11.7 sec @ 123 mph (198 km/h)
Top speed: 195 mph (314 km/h)
Slalom: 70 mph (113 km/h)
Skidpad average acceleration: 1.05 g (10.3 m/s²)
100-0: 274 ft (84 m)

No 2007 model Vipers were produced.

Fourth generation ZB (2008–Present)

In 2008, power for the Viper increased to 600 horsepower (450 kW) and 560 lb ft (759 Nm) of torque. Engine displacement increased to 8.4 liters (512 ci/8354 cc) and modifications like better flowing heads with larger valves, Mechadyne variable valve timing, and dual electronic throttle bodies further tuned the Viper engine. Rev limit increased by 300 rpm due to improved valve-train stability and the new camshaft profiles and valve-springs. The development of the engine was done in conjunction with McLaren Automotive and Ricardo Consulting Engineers.

Engine Specs:
8.4 L (512.6 cu in) V10
600 bhp (447 kW) @ 6000 rpm
560 lb ft (759 Nm) @ 5600 rpm

Performance (2008 base model):
0-60: 3.5 sec
0-100: 7.6 sec
1/4 mile: 11.6 sec @ 128 mph (206 km/h)
Top speed: 202 mph (325 km/h)
Slalom: 70 mph (113 km/h)+
Skidpad average acceleration: 1.06 g (10.4 m/s²)
100-0: 270 ft (82 m)

Hennessey Viper Venom 1000 Twin Turbo:

Hennessey Performance Engineering, HPE for short, offers an aftermarket upgrade that increases the power output of the Viper to about 1050 hp (733 kW) 983.5 hp at the wheels and 1,100 ft lbf (1,490 Nm) of torque. Increased engine displacement and twin Garett ball bearing turbochargers are the main modifications that give the Hennessey Viper Venom its power. Other Hennessey mods include suspension, VenomAero body kit, bigger brakes, bigger wheels and tires, and an upgraded differential.

Engine Specs:
8.55 L (522 cu in) V10
1050 bhp (733 kW)
1,100 lb ft (1,490 Nm)

Performance:
0-60 mph: 2.9 sec
0-100 mph: 5.8 sec
0-150 mph: 10.9 sec
0-200 mph: 19.6 sec
Top speed claimed by HPE: 255 mph

Whether it’s Formula Drift Champ Samuel Hubinette or celebrity drifter Nick Hogan, when a Viper is on the track people take note.

The Viper will stay with Dodge

Months before Fiat had any dealings with Chrysler and months before the bankruptcy that was “the first shoe to drop”, there were rumors that then-Chrysler Corporation was looking around for an interested party to take the Viper model elsewhere. The rumors bounced from GM, to Nissan, to aftermarket bidders like Roush and Saleen to the tiny Devon Motor Works, but when push came to shove there was no company willing to pay what Chrysler wanted. Mopar diehards battened down the hatches for a Dodge brand minus their already historic Supercar, especially when Fiat, who has an interest in Italian Supercar brand Ferrari, “merged” with Chrysler. It was common knowledge that Sergio Marchionne and the rest of the new Chrysler management team were working on streamlining the Dodge, Chrysler, and Jeep brands to help to cut costs and increase profit. The Viper costs a fortune to produce, and has its own factory that is dedicated to nothing but the Viper SRT-10. Not to mention, the best way for Ferrari to beat the Viper was to kill the model…makes sense right?

Well, after much deliberation over what models will be staying, the management team came out with an announcement about the Viper. Mopar enthusiasts expected the worst, but amidst discussions about the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant being sold off, it has been announced that the Dodge Viper SRT-10 will remain in the Dodge lineup. It is unclear whether or not there have been any conceptualizations of a new generation of the Viper, but right now the 600hp V10 monster is among the fastest cars in the world so an immediate upgrade is not necessary, even though GM has kept the heat on with the 6th generation of the Corvette.

Stay tuned for more news on the future of the Dodge Viper and the brand as a whole, but for now, Mopar fans rejoice…the Viper lives.