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Dodge Viper Production to End Because It Can't Have Curtain Airbags

We've already discussed the reasons why the current Dodge Viper is a misunderstood piece of metal, as reflected by the slow sales, with the supercar set to be killed off in 2017. However, we are now back on the topic to talk about why the Viper is being sent to a better motoring place.
Dodge Viper 1 photo
Photo: Catalin Garmacea
According to a Fiat Chrysler insider, the Viper is being discontinued over the lack of compliance with a federal safety standard aimed at keeping vehicle occupants from being ejected in case of an impact.

The insider spoke to Motor Trend, mentioning the FMVSS #226 standard, which makes side curtain airbags mandatory. Given the fact that headroom, or rather its lack, is already one of the Viper's shortcomings, installing curtain airbags isn't an option with the current shape of the car.

All vehicles will have to comply with FMVSS #226 starting from 2017, hence the Viper's demise - we still believe the financial situation mentioned in the title also plays an important role in the Viper not receiving a revamp next year.

Then again, we don't have to turn to a national day of mourning, at least not after FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne used the Detroit Auto Show to let it slip a new incarnation of the Viper was being considered.

Fiat Chrysler has plenty of technical puzzle pieces to build a new Viper, such as the Alfa Romeo Giulia's modular rear-wheel-drive architecture, which is expected to also spawn the next-generation Dodge Challenger and Charger, along with a Convertible-only Barracuda (no Plymouth brand comeback, though). With Ferrari and Maserati twin-turbo V6 power at hand, once again rumored to animate the muscle machines above, this area should also be covered.

Oh well, at least the current Viper is going away with a bang - we're talking about the ACR's 2015 track stunt, as the Dodge managed to break the no less than 13 track records across the country.

Not only did it trash the Z06 Corvette, but it also managed to outperform the Porsche 918 Spyder and the McLaren P1 on Laguna Seca. Now that's one line we'd like to have on our tombstone.
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About the author: Andrei Tutu
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In his quest to bring you the most impressive automotive creations, Andrei relies on learning as a superpower. There's quite a bit of room in the garage that is this aficionado's heart, so factory-condition classics and widebody contraptions with turbos poking through the hood can peacefully coexist.
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