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Dodge Viper Convertible Slated for Next Year

When Chrysler introduced the current Viper, it switched things up quite a bit. Not only had the Viper moved from the Dodge brand to the newly formed SRT brand, but it also launched as a hardtop coupe rather than a convertible or roadster. All is about to be right in the world, though, as the Dodge Viper is back, and it sounds like an open-top Viper isn’t too far away.
SRT Viper Convertible 1 photo
Photo: Prefix Performance Vehicles
According to Automotive News, the return of the “Dodge Viper” name will also usher in the return of a new convertible version, and no, not the $35,000 conversion (shown above) that an aftermarket company touted earlier in the summer. Following the 2015 Dodge Viper SRT going into production this year, the report says that the convertible will be added closer to the middle of next year. No word yet if it will be a Roadster like the original Viper or full convertible like the second-gen model.

Not only will the Viper be losing its top, it will also receive more power and torque. Dodge just recently announced a 5-hp bump for the Viper’s 2015 model year, but this report indicates that bigger horsepower and torque numbers will be on tap following an update to the “aging” 8.4-liter V-10. One possible avenue Dodge could take to increase output from this engine is by adding a supercharger, which has been a recent rumor swirling, to get between 700 and 800 hp. The 2015 Dodge Viper was just rated at 645 hp and 600 lb-ft.

In addition to the drop-top Viper, Automotive News also says that Dodge has plenty of other projects in the works. Although 2018 will be the busier year with the introduction of the all-new subcompact “Hornet” and fully reworked Charger and Challenger models, 2016 will see an upgraded Dart, redesigned Journey (with production possibly moving from Mexico to Michigan) and the Grand Caravan will end production.
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