Chrysler announces the return of the Viper SRT to production from late 2012
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Chrysler has announced plans to reopen its Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in Detroit and resume production of the mighty Viper SRT as early as next year.
The decision marks a return of not only Chrysler’s high-performance coupe, but an additional 150 jobs in the motor city. The Conner Avenue facility was idled when production of the Dodge Viper ended in July 2010.
Employees who have previously worked for the Chrysler Group at the Conner facility will be offered the opportunity to return to their home plant with the balance of positions to be composed of hourly Chrysler Group workers volunteering to transfer to Detroit.
Production of the Viper SRT will commence in Q4 2012 with training and orientation of employees to begin in Q3.
The Viper SRT, a flagship model for the Chrysler Group, first began production in May 1992 as a hand-built, low-volume sportscar assembled via a modular process. Previously, the Conner Avenue facility produced around a dozen vehicles a day for a total production run of 22,070 units.
Viper enjoyed a four series production life and featured both coupe and roadster body styles. It was powered by a number of engines during the course of its development, including both 8.0-litre (298kW/630Nm) and 8.3-litre (450kW/760Nm) V10s.
The front-mid engine, rear-wheel drive layout mimicked what its designers said was intended to be a modern take on an American classic, the AC Cobra. For the same reason it was also a nod of the head to another American classic, but one still in production to this day: the Chevy Corvette. The performance-orientated final series of the Viper was capable of accelerating from 0-100km/h in 3.4 seconds and boasted a top speed of 325km/h.
“The next generation Viper will make its return to the product line-up in late 2012 as a 2013 model,” said Chrysler’s SRT brand president and CEO, Ralph Gilles. “We’re extremely excited that our ultimate American sports car will continue to live on and be produced exclusively here in the Motor City.”
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