The Last Dodge Viper

18 August 2017

American supercar was taken out of production due to the requirements for passive safety

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles ceased production of the model Dodge Viper 17 August 2017 – reported in his Instagram chief designer of the Dodge brand, Ralph Gilles. Initially it was assumed that the last Viper leaves the Assembly plant Conner Assembly Plant in Detroit on the last day of this summer, August 31, but the increased demand for ordered the last model led to the early stoppage of the conveyor.

Interestingly, the main reason for the cessation of production is the tightening of U.S. standards for passive safety, according to which all new cars in the US in 2018 must be equipped with inflatable "curtains" security, what the body design of the Viper does not allow in principle. 

The first generation Viper debuted in 1992, and since then, the body structure is not fundamentally changed – the frame of steel pipes are mounted body panels are plastic or carbon fiber.

The present generation is the fifth, its production started in 2012. Under the hood is huge, even by American standards, naturally aspirated engine V10 volume of 8.4 liters, developing 653 HP and 813 nm, and the automatic transmission for the "Viper" all generations were not provided – only the "old school" 6-speed "mechanics", and any newfangled "assistants" were always low (except ABS).

Since the plant Conner Assembly Plant has never produced anything except the Viper and its superdelegates, it will be closed and all employees will be employed at other enterprises of the concern. About a successor at this point do not hear anything, although if he appears, it will be created modern European rear-wheel drive platform from Alfa Romeo Giulia. The last instance of red (on the cover photo) went to the Museum of the concern FCA.