[McRat]

Originally Posted by VRYALT3R3D

SRT didn't go to Le Mans because the race budget didn't increase over last year and they want to concentrate on GTLM class at TUDOR. Le Mans isn't a points race. SRT came 2nd and 3rd with two podium finishes last week. Very close race between the C7R and GTS-R.

The Viper TA is #1 right now. I would be severely disappointed if the next Z06 doesn't eclipse the Gen V TA's performance. I hope it does. It will only push SRT to develop an even more wild ACR. The Viper has a really good platform to work with, and the old ACR-X is a good teaser of the potential of the next ACR. It is a great time to be a car guy.

According to Chrysler's 5 year plan, 2015MY is a mid-cycle refresh and the gen V will last until 2018.

The Gen V's engineering goals were the following:

1. Build a lighter Viper
2. Provide modern refinement and an optional NVH package(GTS trim)
3. Provide the best handling Viper ever
4. Build a more powerful Viper
5. Optimize gear ratios for top performance and around-town drivability
6. Improve ergonomics and comfort
7. Provide world-class fit and finish
8. Update Viper to meet new safety standards
9. Collaborate with Viper race program to share street and racing technology
10. Build the fastest street-legal track car in the world

P.S. Corvette ZR1 and Z06 didn't exactly light the world on fire based on sales.

805 SRT Vipers built for 2013MY
471 Chevrolet Corvette Z06s built for 2013MY
482 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1s built for 2013MY

Viper:
2008MY — 1579
2009MY — 482
2010MY — 392

The Viper never exactly sold well.... Keep in mind the 2008-2010 numbers include convertible and ACR. 2013+ is coupe only. SRT was successful in getting higher transaction prices for the Viper.*

For 2013, GM sold 953 hyper-performance trim Vettes. But they also sold 12,500 other trim levels to defray costs, something the Viper can't do. Little or nothing on the Viper is recycled to other models.

If the Z06 really does squeeze in at $75k without options, and it does outperform the Viper, that will hurt sales even more. But not because of just performance. The C7 body looks exotic, something the Viper had always used to it's advantage. It had the WOW! factor normally reserved for more expensive cars. The Stingray looks more exotic than the Viper now, and the Z06 always looks tricker than the base units.

I guess we will see.