Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cars
  3. News

Updated – Dodge launches five special editions to mark the end of the Viper

By

dodge viper to end production with special editions 25th anniversary limited edition vipers
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has confirmed what enthusiasts have assumed for the past few months. The Dodge Viper is dead or, at least, it will be soon. This is the final year for Viper production (although the last cars will be considered 2017 models), but it also happens to be the 25th anniversary of the model.

Dodge will both celebrate that anniversary and mark the Viper’s passing with five special-edition models, all referencing some tidbit of Viper history. Sporting a sinister black exterior with red stripes, the Viper 1:28 Edition ACR trumpets the single-lap production car record of 1:28.65 set by a Viper ACR at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in October 2015. The white-and-blue Viper GTS-R Commemorative Edition ACR nods to the 1998 Viper GTS-R GTS Championship Edition, another special edition that commemorated the car’s 1997 FIA GT2 championship win.

Recommended Videos

Pulling away from motor sport trivia, the Viper VooDoo II Edition ACR replicates the black-and-graphite color scheme of the 2010 Viper VooDoo Edition. Similarly, the Viper Snakeskin Edition GTC borrows its green exterior from the 2010 Snakeskin ACR model. Finally, the Dodge Dealer Edition ACR is reserved for Dodge’s highest volume Viper dealers, Tomball Dodge of Tomball, Texas, and Roanoke Dodge of Roanoke, Illinois.

Read more: 2016 Dodge Viper ACR first drive

Related

None of the special editions get any mechanical alterations. All five stick with the Viper’s stalwart 8.4-liter V10, which produces 645 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque. At least most of them are based on the hardcore ACR model, which boasts uprated suspension, brakes, tires, and some of the most extreme aerodynamic add-ons of any production car. The current Viper is definitely an impressive machine, but ushering out with special editions that, for the most part, just reference other special editions seems a little weak.

At least the Viper final five will be rare. Dodge only plans to build 28 units of the 1:38 Edition ACR, 100 units of the GTS-R Commemorative Edition ACR, 31 units of the VooDoo II Edition ACR, 25 units of the Snakeskin Edition GTC, and 33 units of the Dodge Dealer Edition ACR. They’ll be available to order June 24.

There is talk of reviving the Viper at some point, but given the current model’s dismal sales, looming fuel economy standards, and the competitiveness of the Viper’s rivals, it’s not something we’d count on. So long Viper, it’s been a great ride.

Updated on 7-4-16 by Stephen Edelstein: The five special editions sold out so quickly that Dodge is adding another one. It’s the Snakeskin Edition ACR, which combines the ACR track package with the special green paint from the Snakeskin Edition GTC model. Dodge says it will build up to 31 copies.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Stephen Edelstein
Stephen Edelstein
Contributing Editor
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
Trump administration prepares to end Biden’s EV tax incentive, report says
president biden drives 2022 ford f 150 lightning electric pickup truck prototype visits rouge vehicle center

If you’re looking to buy or lease an electric vehicle (EV) and benefit from the Biden administration’s $7,500 tax incentive, you’d better act soon.

The transition team of the incoming Trump administration is already planning to end the credit, according to a report from Reuters citing sources with direct knowledge of the matter.

Read more
Kia EV4: everything we know so far
Kia EV4 Front

Kia is continuing to expand its electric car lineup. The EV6 and EV9 have both been out for some time now, and the company is in the middle of rolling out the EV3 in Europe, with a North American release expected next year. After that, it's likely the company will turn to the EV5. But what about after that? Well, that could be where the Kia EV4 comes in.

Kia announced a concept version of the EV4 at its EV Day in 2023, showing off a futuristic-looking hatchback that's seemingly a little smaller than the EV6, but keeps many design elements. Since then, Kia has confirmed very few details about it, though we have seen it shown off at other automotive events. Here's everything we know about the Kia EV4 so far.
Kia EV4 design
The Kia EV4, or at least the concept version of it, is smaller than the EV6, and much smaller than the EV9. It's actually closer in size to a sedan than anything else, though with its open trunk, it could be considered a hatchback. Regardless, it certainly blurs the line between the two. So much so, that in recent months we've actually seen a full hatchback version of the EV4 being tested -- and it's possible that Kia is pivoting the design of the EV4 entirely to be a hatch, or will be releasing both hatchback and sedan versions.

Read more
Hertz is selling used Teslas for under $20K, Chevrolet Bolt EVs under $14K
2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV

Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently nixed hopes of a regular Tesla model ever selling for $25,000.

But he was talking about new models. For car rental company Hertz, the race to sell used Teslas and other EVs at ever-lower prices is not only still on but accelerating.

Read more