New 2003 Vipers styling-letter to Motor Trend

[Clint Sever]

Ok, as a devoted and fanatical Viper supporter since its production debut in 1992, I think what DaimlerChrysler has done to the third generation Viper is absolutely criminal. The Generation one and two was in-your-face, kick your a$$, move-outta-my way type of styling. It was recognizable anywhere with its glaring headlights and its toned and muscular looks. The stance of the car was MEAN and it had the performance to back it up. With the Viper one of the world’s fastest and outright violent cars, you had it all. The new Vipers power and performance is not what I’m worried about. I have no doubt it will keep its title as North America’s most powerful production car with 500 horses and 0-60 in an estimated 3.75 seconds. It’s the look department where it’s lacking. Somehow inside the design studios, they took the bite out of the normally venomous Viper. If you cover the redesigned grille with your hand, the new Viper looks like a squashed S2000. Now, that’s not the way America should be represented. The car no longer looks like it could hold 500 horses. If DaimlerChrysler wants to build a car that looks like it can and would be a fitting predecessor to the current Viper, style it like the bad-a$$ red and silver concept GTS/R. Its time to make that car a reality and forget about the baby blue, I need a nap concept RT/10. Cars like the Viper need an attitude and the GTS/R has plenty of it.

I hope everyone agrees with me, but it just makes me sick to see my beloved Viper turn into something so..unViperish.

[Frank 03SRT]

I think it does look like the GTSR concept from the front (and the MT depiction is just a sketch), but not the back. Not sure I like the back too much. Also think the side scoop is less than the GTSR, which was a big beauty mark for the Gen II. I don't plan to ever get rid of my Gen II, because I do believe it is better styled. Just want the Gen III also--maybe it will grow on me --- kinda like the Dodge Ram when it first came out. I thought it looked bad, but later it came into its own. I'm just hoping that as the design progresses and we get something other than a sketch, the look will gell into something that will eventually impress.
Clint, I share some of your concerns, and when the new model comes out and it doesn't grab me right away, I will sit back and see if it grows on me, then if not, ----. Right now, I like it enough.

[Marv S]

Sketches (no photos) are in the new Motor Trend <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by lowcrawler W: where can I see pics of this new 'unviperish' viper?JOE<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>