RumorMill : Next-generation Dodge Viper could get Ferrari derived V10

Now since the Dodge Viper is under the Chrysler Group LLC, Ferrari belonging to Fiat S.p.A, and Chrysler and Fiat have merged together, that makes the Viper a cousin to Ferrari supercars. Officially, the Dodge Viper brand-name rights now belongs to Fiat, and it has the choice to do whatever with the name. Thankfully, Fiat announced earlier that it intends to keep it.

Rumors in Torino, Italy, say that Fiat is considering fitting the next-generation Dodge Viper with a V10 version of Ferrari's latest V8, which now appears in the all-new 458 Italia. This Ferrari V8 is actually one of Ferrari's latest wonders; it was designed to be extremely powerful, but yet relatively very fuel-efficient. As CARandDRIVER points out, an interesting point here is that Chrysler saved troubled Lamborghini in 1987. The move gave birth to the V10 powerplant for the Dodge Viper and the Lamborghini Gallardo. Fiat seems very-likely to keep the V10 power as a Viper trademark.

Expect the next-generation Dodge Viper to get its sights sometime in 2011 - 2012.

Refresher: - 2009 Dodge Viper SRT10: Powered by a 8.4L V10, it packs 600 hp and 560 lb-ft of torque. That power is mated through a 6-speed manual via rear-wheel-drive. Launch to 60 mph comes in 3.6 seconds, and top speed is 196 mph. Dodge also offers the Viper SRT10 with a track-ready ACR package. With a Nurburgring lap-time of 7:22.1, the Viper SRT10 ACR is the fastest production road-car ever!

Source : [Car and Driver]