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2016 Dodge Viper ACR is ready to take a bite out of the Corvette Z06 [w/video]

The Dodge Viper ACR is back, and as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles tells it, it's the most venomous breed ever born. Before you get too excited, the 8.4-liter V10 produces 645 horsepower; five more than the standard Viper and five less than the supercharged Chevrolet Corvette Z06. It's unclear why Dodge didn't extract more from the huge engine, although we somehow imagine that certain people in Maranello, Italy had a say in the matter. Instead of blessing the ACR variant with bunches of extra output, Dodge instead turned to an aggressive aerodynamics package that it claims delivers nearly a ton of downforce at the Viper's maximum speed of 177 miles per hour. The total aero package includes an adjustable, twin-element, carbon-fiber rear wing, carbon-fiber diffuser, an extendable front splitter, and dive planes. Those big louvers on the hood? Yeah, they're removable, too. The "race-tuned" suspension uses coil-over Bilstein shocks that offer ten different settings and up to three inches of height adjustment. Kumho Ecsta V720 tires were built specifically for the Viper ACR, and come in 355/30 in back and 295/25 in front, with 19-inch wheels at all four corners. Along with the aero improvements, Dodge is claiming the Viper can pull a race-car-like 1.5Gs in higher-speed turns. Carbon-ceramic brakes with six-piston calipers add the stopping power that's greater or equal to the ACR's cornering performance. Dodge was also keen to reduce weight, taking some rather dramatic measures in the effort. The stereo has just three speakers, while the electric function was removed from the seats. Even the carpet has been replaced with a "lightweight" alternative. Finally, Dodge is offering up the innovative 1 of 1 customization it pioneered with the Viper GT earlier this year. That means that not only can you get the fastest Viper ever built, but it'll be entirely your own when you take delivery.

Question of the Day: Most heinous act of badge engineering?

Badge engineering, in which one company slaps its emblems on another company's product and sells it, has a long history in the automotive industry. When Sears wanted to sell cars, a deal was made with Kaiser-Frazer and the Sears Allstate was born. Iranians wanted new cars in the 1960s, and the Rootes Group was happy to offer Hillman Hunters for sale as Iran Khodro Paykans. Sometimes, though, certain badge-engineered vehicles made sense only in the 26th hour of negotiations between companies. The Suzuki Equator, say, which was a puzzling rebadge job of the Nissan Frontier. How did that happen? My personal favorite what-the-heck-were-they-thinking example of badge engineering is the 1971-1973 Plymouth Cricket. Chrysler Europe, through its ownership of the Rootes Group, was able to ship over Hillman Avanger subcompacts for sale in the US market. This would have made sense... if Chrysler hadn't already been selling rebadged Mitsubishi Colt Galants (as Dodge Colts) and Simca 1100s as (Simca 1204s) in its American showrooms. Few bought the Cricket, despite its cheery ad campaign. So, what's the badge-engineered car you find most confounding? Chrysler Dodge Automakers Mitsubishi Nissan Suzuki Automotive History question of the day badge engineering question

GTC deliveries take Rauh collection up to 79 Vipers [w/video]

How many Vipers is enough? One of the ten-cylinder supercars might be too much machine for most drivers to handle, but not for Wayne and D'Ann Rauh. The Texas couple already own 77 of Dodge's flagship model. And now they've taken delivery of two more. At the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in Detroit on Friday, the Rauhs received the keys to a pair of Dodge Viper GTCs, customized through the automaker's "1 of 1" customization program. The program allows owners to spec their Viper just the way they want it, with 50 million unique combinations. For their 78th and 79th additions, the Rauhs ordered one decked out in brown with black stripes for Wayne, the other in purple with white for D'Ann, to whom the majority of the collection belongs. Of course, both come equipped with an 8.4-liter V10 driving 645 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission. The couple will add the pair to their collection in Arp, TX, a town on the outskirts of Tyler, located between Dallas and Shreveport. The Rauh's garage already includes the last of the previous-generation Vipers decked out in two-tone gold finish. eGarage profiled the couple two years ago when their collection numbered "only" 65, and we have no doubt that number will only continue to grow as long as Dodge keeps building the legendary super-snake. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Texas Dodge Viper Enthusiasts Receive Keys to Two New Customized '1 of 1' Dodge Viper GTC Models, Now Owners of 79 Vipers Total July 24, 2015 , Detroit - Dodge Viper owners Wayne and D'Ann Rauh elevate Viper Nation enthusiasm to a whole new level. On Friday, July 24, the couple visited the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in Detroit to receive keys to not one, but two new customized "1 of 1" Dodge Viper GTC models, making them proud owners of a total of 79 Dodge Vipers. Through the new Viper "1 of 1" customization program, owners can create their very own one-of-a-kind Snake. No two customers can order the same configuration, including color, in the same model year. With the introduction of matte-finish exterior paint, the 2016 Viper is now offered in more than 50 million unique build configurations, made up from the more than 16,000 unique paint color options and more than 48,000 unique stripe combinations.