http://www.autoweek.com/article/20090205/CARNEWS/902059976
As much as we like it, the trend of ever-increasing horsepower is going to end. What is the ceiling for horsepower on the street? This sale of the Viper division is foreshadowing the beginning of the end of the horsepower race. Instead of Chrysler shutting the plant down in a few years due to lagging sales, I'm sad to say its a smart move to sell it now.
Development for ever faster cars is going to slow as demand slows and mileage and emission requirements increase. The state of the economy just kick started it. The division is doomed to fail in just a few years.
The Viper, especially the ACR, is a spectacular performance bargain in the big picture. But it just doesn't make sense to keep adding power in light of future requirements. Sure they might tweak it for another 50 or 75hp, but it is already traction limited . There are very, very few cars making more horsepower and their market is not the racetrack but exclusivity and exotic appeal.
On the street, rear-drive only 600hp cars are already traction limited. In fact, this is deep into the range of horsepower for race cars and even with racing slicks, traction is an issue that must be managed as well. And they don't have the hazards on the street that we do!
The notable domestic contributions are the Corvette ZR1 and Shelby Super Snake. But neither will compete in a race series without major changes and both have "heritage appeal" sales. The normally aspirated Corvette Z-06 is already the established track day or race car and the Shelby, with 725hp, doesn't have a warranty and still needs to lose 500lbs. Not only that, it already has the economy of scale with the Mustang, and has a huge mark-up.
Making the Viper lighter from a competitive standpoint (ala the Corvette Z-06) will cost far too much in R&D. Making the interior equal to any of the competition will also cost too much.
Remember how Audi bought Lamborghini and turned it around? I think a similar move would be the Viper's best chance. Otherwise it becomes a boutique vehicle with unprofitable sales numbers.
As much as the ACR would be my dream car for track days, I'm not optimistic about the future of the brand. And significant horsepower increases from the manufacturers has come to an end.
As much as we like it, the trend of ever-increasing horsepower is going to end. What is the ceiling for horsepower on the street? This sale of the Viper division is foreshadowing the beginning of the end of the horsepower race. Instead of Chrysler shutting the plant down in a few years due to lagging sales, I'm sad to say its a smart move to sell it now.
Development for ever faster cars is going to slow as demand slows and mileage and emission requirements increase. The state of the economy just kick started it. The division is doomed to fail in just a few years.
The Viper, especially the ACR, is a spectacular performance bargain in the big picture. But it just doesn't make sense to keep adding power in light of future requirements. Sure they might tweak it for another 50 or 75hp, but it is already traction limited . There are very, very few cars making more horsepower and their market is not the racetrack but exclusivity and exotic appeal.
On the street, rear-drive only 600hp cars are already traction limited. In fact, this is deep into the range of horsepower for race cars and even with racing slicks, traction is an issue that must be managed as well. And they don't have the hazards on the street that we do!
The notable domestic contributions are the Corvette ZR1 and Shelby Super Snake. But neither will compete in a race series without major changes and both have "heritage appeal" sales. The normally aspirated Corvette Z-06 is already the established track day or race car and the Shelby, with 725hp, doesn't have a warranty and still needs to lose 500lbs. Not only that, it already has the economy of scale with the Mustang, and has a huge mark-up.
Making the Viper lighter from a competitive standpoint (ala the Corvette Z-06) will cost far too much in R&D. Making the interior equal to any of the competition will also cost too much.
Remember how Audi bought Lamborghini and turned it around? I think a similar move would be the Viper's best chance. Otherwise it becomes a boutique vehicle with unprofitable sales numbers.
As much as the ACR would be my dream car for track days, I'm not optimistic about the future of the brand. And significant horsepower increases from the manufacturers has come to an end.
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