Baby Viper on the way?

[Nikked]

Chrysler could produce a “baby Viper” using its alliance with parent company Fiat as a way to bring the muscle car look to a smaller, more affordable - and more fuel efficient - sports car.

Speaking at the international launch of the SRT Viper, the man who brought the V10-powered Viper back to life, SRT boss and Chrysler design chief Ralph Gilles, hinted a smaller Viper could be in the wings.

“Going forward, of course, my dream is to continue making unique SRT products, something like a baby Viper or something like that,” said Gilles.


One obvious choice would be to use the existing underpinnings of a Fiat or Alfa Romeo product, in much the same way as the Dodge Dart has given the US brand a smaller, more environmentally-friendly vehicle in a short development timeframe; the Dart is based on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta.

The Alfa Romeo 4C is a lightweight sports car powered by a 1.8-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine making 170kW of power that could be one option.

Alfa Romeo is also working with Mazda to produce the latter’s new MX-5 roadster, something that could also produce a viable baby sports car platform

Drive