The 640-horsepower Dodge Viper ACR-X. Image: Chrysler Group LLC
Dodge, it appears, is a firm believer in the saying, “there’s no replacement for displacement.” While the last Viper’s V-10 displaced 8.4-liters and made as much as 640 horsepower in Viper ACR-X trim, the 2013 Viper is rumored to be starting with an 8.7-liter V-10. There’s no word yet on projected horsepower levels, but it’s safe to assume that even the base car will make more than the 2010 Viper’s 600 horsepower and 560 lb-ft of torque.
Dodge isn’t sharing many details on the 2013 Viper, but it’s safe to assume the car will weigh less than the previous Viper’s 3,460 pounds. Thanks to federal regulations, the car will also have the traction control and electronic stability control that previous generation Viper’s lacked; however, we’re confident that Dodge will allow customers who track their Vipers to defeat the electro-nannies.
Allpar says that the next Viper is on track to begin production in the fall of 2012, debuting around year end as a 2013 model. We’re fans of the last Viper, so we’re counting down the days until we get a chance to drive the new version.
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
