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Will airbags sandbag the 2017 Dodge Viper?

The Dodge Viper is speeding down the road to cancellation for the 2017 model year, and at least part of the reason for the V10 monster's death is a problem fitting it with federally mandated side curtain airbags. An anonymous source close to FCA US told Motor Trend the automaker can't install the parts because they would further limit the coupe's already tight headroom. The government believes the side curtain airbags can reduce occupant ejections during accidents, and all vehicles must have them for the 2017 model year. The Viper's slow sales also don't provide FCA US much motivation to work out a solution to this problem. The automaker moved just 676 of the handmade sports coupes in the US in 2015, which was down 11 percent from 760 deliveries in 2014. FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne hinted at the Detroit Auto Show that the Viper could return eventually. He doesn't like that the current model has a dedicated platform but indicated a new one could share the underpinnings with another of the company's products. Marchionne's current business plan for FCA stresses building the automaker's value, so it might be a while before we see the sweater-clad CEO focusing on a niche vehicle like the Viper. Related Video:

2019 Dodge Challenger, Charger get retro Sublime paint options

Editor's note: An FCA spokesman wrote to clarify that Sublime will be available on all 2019 Challenger and Charger models, including Hellcats. The story has been updated accordingly. Dodge's SRT performance division wants those of us who live in the nation's midsection to look past the current subarctic temps that are causing everything from "frost quakes" in Chicago to temporary shutdowns at auto plants in Michigan and envision the upcoming muscle car season with its balmier cruising weather. To help with that vision, SRT announced it's bringing back the heritage-inspired Sublime color and making it available for the first time on all 2019 Dodge Charger and Challenger models to help your metal pop. The lime-green Sublime color debuted way back during the 1970 model year on most Dodge vehicles, and it returned in 2007 for a limited number of Charger R/T Daytona models, then again across the Challenger lineup for 2015. It even made an appearance in 2017 on the limited-edition Ram 1500 Sublime Sport pickup truck. Sublime will be available for all models, including the 2019 Charger Scat Pack, with its 392 Hemi V8, the 707-horsepower Charger SRT Hellcat and the 797-hp Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye. The color also makes its return to the Challenger T/A for the first time since 1970. It joins an extensive palette of color options for both models that include Go Mango orange, Plum Crazy purple and B5 Blue Orders start in February. The brand will have examples of both models on display next month at the Chicago Auto Show. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Dodge Charger R/T NHRA Funny Car is ready to burn rubber at SEMA [w/video]

The Dodge Charger R/T is all set to rocket down the drag strip in NHRA Funny Car competition with a completely redesigned body debuting at this year's SEMA Show. While only the front decal, side scallops and rear logo really signal this racer as a Charger, that doesn't take away from its promise of hitting absolutely ludicrous speeds.
The engineers' biggest tweak to the body was moving the cockpit further back. This created more clearance under the hood, and the change came with added advantage of giving the driver better visibility out of the car. Composites like Kevlar also helped make the one-piece shell even lighter, while not sacrificing strength.
The new design has already undergone extensive time in the wind tunnel and real-world runs to make sure that none of the changes negatively impacted the aerodynamics. With those tests out of the way, the Charger R/T Funny Car will have the first chance to truly prove itself in NHRA competition at the 2015 Winternationals from February 5-9 at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, CA.