Mac

It's one thing to quietly anticipate the arrival of something exciting. It's quite another when you can actually see it coming, so here's a batch of spy shots showing the next-generation under development.

Don't get too excited, though, because there's little to see from this early test mule. It's largely wearing the bodywork from the last Viper, and what's new is heavily disguised. What we can tell is that the headlights stretch back farther over the hood than the previous model, above the updated crosshair grille now in use across the Dodge model range. The placement of the air scoops and hood louvers appear different, and from what we can see at least, the front end seems to be more refined than its brutish predecessors.

Of course, it's what's behind that new front end that counts. It may be too early to say if the V10 will return of whether regulatory restrictions will force to go with something slightly more "responsible," but you can bet it'll have in place, and if the rapidly-integrating /Chrysler empire plays its cards right, Dodge's Italian sisters could bring some experience to bear. And that can't be a bad thing.

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™Boss Boy™

i dont really like vipers, but ive never driven one, im sure that could change my mind

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Mac

Word has it that may be planning an increase in displacement for the . According to the Dodge-obsessed crew at Allpar, the vehicle's V10 engine may jump from 8.4 liters to 8.7, making it the largest lump Chrysler has ever placed in a passenger car. Allpar doesn't say exactly where the report originates from, though upping the vehicle's displacement certainly fits the brash character of the . We have to wonder what sort of tricks the company will employ to keep fuel consumption and emissions at reasonable levels, however.

The same report also repeats the fact that the vehicle will be manufactured in 2012 as 2013 model. That certainly runs contrary to those whispers we heard about the 2013 Viper receiving a clandestine unveil at a Florida charity event.

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Mac

Speculative design:

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Mac

The reveal was today:

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Mac

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Mac

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Mac

It's become customary for automakers to offer up the first production example of collectible cars, so it was no surprise that announced earlier this year that VIN #1 would be selling at Barrett-Jackson's Orange County auction. Adding to the auction's appeal, proceeds from the sale will be donated to the Austin Hatcher Foundation, an organization that helps children and families dealing with issues resulting from pediatric cancer.

With the Viper's 640 horsepower V10 and beautiful carbon fiber bodywork shining under the lights, bidding for the red snake rose quickly past the six figure sticker price to a quarter of a million dollars. At this point an SRT Track Experience and a trip to this year's Petit Le Mans were thrown in as a bonus to go with the car, but it couldn't entice any bidders to go much higher and the hammer fell at $300,000.

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Mac

GTS edition:

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Mac

Only one fifth of Group dealers will have the chance to sell , according to an Automotive News report. To qualify for the V10 beast, a hopeful dealer will have to train staff and purchase special tools, as well as improve their facilities. This does not guarantee the ability to sell the Viper. It merely keeps the dealer on the list of potential suitors.

CEO Ralph Gilles spoke with journalists in a broadcast interview in Detroit this month, lining out the plan for dealers intent on selling the 8.4-liter snake: "We're going to open it up to any dealer who can put up the money ... you've got to have the training, the facilities, and some history of selling Vipers and SRTs in general."

While Chrysler has not yet announced the number of Vipers to be built each year, it will certainly be a limited run, and not every dealer will have the opportunity to put one in their showroom. According to Gilles, they want only the best dealers carrying their 640-horsepower super car.

"There's going to be a new breed of customer coming, so we want to make sure they have a great experience," said Gilles.

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