Nicely Done Dodge, You Just Assassinated the Viper

"Vicente Esteve" (vicente-esteve)
07/01/2014 at 19:04 • Filed to: Dodge Performance, Hellcat

As we all (Should) know, the new Dodge Challenger HELLCAT has the simply Astonishing amount of 707 HP. Thanks to all this bragging, eye-ball intaking, burnouting off the Hellcat , Dodge has put it on the spotlight so high that it has left its father in the deep shadows of its Supercharger.

The new Viper has 640 HP Which seems like a no brainer for anyone who would consider the ultimate Mopar has to offer. Also, the Challenger will almost certainly be available with an Auto which opens up the market hugely even if we hate to admit it. The Viper keeps it nice and old school, but not for many of its possible customers. The Viper, though it has grown, it will never be as comfortable or spacious as the Challenger which, in the market it is at, will be a bit of a disadvantage. See, middle aged man that have made good money and want the absolute best of the muscle cars of their early days reborn will not fit in a Viper. It also is going to be damn easier to drive and to control. Finally, price. I don't know if this supercharged Cat of Hell will cost much more than the most expensive current Challenger (Around $50K), but my guess is that it wont. What I am damn sure of is that it wont be the plus $100K price tag of the Viper. A car that, lets remember, isn't selling as well as expected and is marketed at a very specific client.

So Dodge, I don't know if that was your plan, or you messed up. But you made the Challenger so extreme, that it now has overpassed the most extreme car in your lineup. A car that has had trouble selling and unfortunately doesn't get as much attention as it should. Is it making headlines? Hell yes, but to me it will never be as sexy, complete, and unique as its big brother, the Hopefully not retiring Viper.

Viper Versus Hellcat, lets see how it goes!

DISCUSSION (28)

Renescent > Vicente Esteve
07/01/2014 at 19:06

But will it turn?

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Vicente Esteve
07/01/2014 at 19:08

The Viper will still be faster, handle better, look better and still has sidepipes

Vicente Esteve > Renescent
07/01/2014 at 19:10

Do you refer to the handling of the Challenger or some other joke?

Blue 2000 > Vicente Esteve
07/01/2014 at 19:11

Maybe this mean more power for the Viper down the line?

For Sweden > Vicente Esteve
07/01/2014 at 19:11

That's like saying the Camaro assassinated the Corvette. They're completely different markets.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > Vicente Esteve
07/01/2014 at 19:14

I don't know why people keep making this comparison....as someone else said, are you upset the Camaro ZL1 upstages the Stingray? No...I would hope not. Entirely different vehicles marketed to entirely different people. The Viper will still rape this thing in every measurable aspect and is still a nicer car. And it's quite easy for them to get more power out of the V10, rumor has it we will be seeing that soon. Let's not get our panties in a bundle.

Vicente Esteve > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
07/01/2014 at 19:14

The Hellcat has to beat 3.7 seconds to 60, will never handle as good, or have side pipes.Unfortunately people will go to the dealership and see that the Challenger has more power and they can drive it a lot more easily.

spanfucker retire bitch > Vicente Esteve
07/01/2014 at 19:19

It's already well confirmed (they announced it when they first announced the Hellcat) that the new Challenger will come with a beefed up ZF 8-speed transmission.

Like others have said the Viper and Challenger don't really compete against each other, so the fact the Hellcat has more power than the Viper isn't as big of a deal.

Also, just supercharge the Viper. Done.

Vicente Esteve > Blue 2000
07/01/2014 at 19:23

Probably, I wouldn't be mad!

Vicente Esteve > For Sweden
07/01/2014 at 19:27

You have a very good point, but I think that there is a bigger market for the Corvette since it begins where the Most expensive Camaro finishes, around 50k. If the Hellcat costs about $95 K or $100K, then it wouldnt be too bad for the Viper. Also, the Vette can be had an auto, has MILES better interior than Camaro, and is more comftrable than the Viper. Also convertible.

Opposite Locksmith > spanfucker retire bitch
07/01/2014 at 19:31

it comes from the factory with forged pistons!

Vicente Esteve > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment
07/01/2014 at 19:32

I get it, and know you are right. What I mostly meant was that it could take customers for the Viper. For example, someone going to the dealership and asking for a very powerful car, they will be offered the Viper. Then, they will offer the probably cheaper, more powerful Challenger, and even if they don't buy it, they will at least consider it.

For Sweden > Vicente Esteve
07/01/2014 at 19:33

The most expensive Camaro costs around $73,000

Vicente Esteve > spanfucker retire bitch
07/01/2014 at 19:34

Hmmmm, supercharged V10. That could work, and yeah I agree they are totally different. I feel that it may steal some sales of the Viper that the Viper really needs

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > Vicente Esteve
07/01/2014 at 19:35

That is something that may happen, but let's face it...most people who want a Viper are getting a Viper. They know what it is, and they know what they want. I'm sure you get some of the 60+ rich old guy crowd that just wants the most expensive, powerful car in the showroom, but I'd be willing to bet that this isn't the majority.

Jayhawk Jake > Vicente Esteve
07/01/2014 at 19:36

No, the viper was murdered a while ago

Kinja'd!!!

Dusty Ventures > Vicente Esteve
07/01/2014 at 19:37

Ridiculously impractical but somehow awesome solution:

1. Discontinue the Viper

2. Secretly hire Hennessey

3. Revive Viper in 2017 in a form that is basically a Hennessey Venom 1000 with a factory warranty

4. Sell with optional PDK for those who can't handle rowing gears, thus helping to expand consumer base.

Vicente Esteve > Jayhawk Jake
07/01/2014 at 19:39

Haha, it so looks like it has braces

Vicente Esteve > Jayhawk Jake
07/01/2014 at 19:40

Also, I saw you wanted to find a C5 Corvette, where you at to help you out?

Vicente Esteve > Dusty Ventures
07/01/2014 at 19:41

Brilliant idea is Brilliant!

wiffleballtony > Vicente Esteve
07/01/2014 at 21:29

I don't see how. The Viper is a track monster, while the Hellcat is a car show cruiser. One is for lap times one is for burn outs.

Vicente Esteve > wiffleballtony
07/01/2014 at 21:42

Yup, very different animals. But the Viper has been quite a hard product to aell, and the fact that you can now get even more power from a more comftrable, automatic Challenger, makes it even more difficult. I know they arent the same buyers, but it still may hurt sales

Jayhawk Jake > Vicente Esteve
07/01/2014 at 23:07

I'm in Wichita, but I'm at least 18 months away from buying one. Need a house first

Vicente Esteve > Jayhawk Jake
07/01/2014 at 23:19

Nice priorities. And yeah, I can later give you some help, I love finding used cars.

tifosi3317 > Vicente Esteve
07/02/2014 at 11:32

The Viper's sales numbers haven't been setting the world on fire anyway. I love how everyone is stuck on the 700 plus HP number. While it is certainly impressive, the Challenger is heavy as fuck. It will probably still be slower than the Viper. It will also never handle as well or look as exotic.

Vicente Esteve > tifosi3317
07/02/2014 at 12:03

No, it wont handle as good, but the headlines are powerful for customers.

Renescent > Vicente Esteve
07/02/2014 at 19:34

A little of both... will it turn is a long running Oppo gag and that car is freaking huge and weighs a metric butt ton, I suspect it won't be too nimble.

Vicente Esteve > Renescent
07/02/2014 at 22:12

I have been on Oppo only since April, but Ill use it. And no, I don't think it will turn.