Dodge Viper Dead. For Two Years Only

Chrysler and Fiat yesterday presented their five-year plan for the United States and one surprising goal was to discontinue Dodge Viper and revamp it in 2012 when the companies will debut a brand new generation. The firms announced that they will produce 500 more Vipers from January to July 2010 and will then start the work for the new-generation Viper that is projected to hit the streets in 2012.

Details are obviously sketchy but the upcoming Viper will most likely borrow some parts for Fiat or Alfa Romeo, with the latter credited with bigger chances as Chrysler will most likely struggle to keep the price low.

Earlier rumors hinted that the next-generation Viper might be powered by a Ferrari V10 unit but, taking into account that Chrysler is now fighting to become a more consumer-oriented company, such a scenario is unlikely.

This is the second time when Chrysler axes the Viper, as this particular model initially sentenced to death earlier this year as par of the company's heavy restructuring process. But in July, probably at Marchionne's request, Chrysler announced that it will continue building the Viper.

“The Dodge Viper has successfully captured the hearts and imagination of performance enthusiasts around the globe. We’re extremely proud that the ultimate American-built sports car with its world-class performance will live on as the iconic image leader for the Dodge brand," Mike Accavitti, Dodge CEO, said in the release.

For model year 2009, Dodge is offering an 8.4l 600 horsepower (450 kW) V10 engine mated to a manual six-speed overdrive transmission.