Report: Dodge originally developed SLS AMG to be next-gen Viper
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
![Post](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Sad...another case of Daimler rape of Chrysler....yet people put Benz on a pedestal and crap all over Chrysler....
I wonder what the profit margin on the SLS is:eek: since it also uses an existing engine/tranny.
![](http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/02mbsls63amgfd-630op.jpg)
![](http://images03.olx.com/ui/2/66/22/f_34086422_1.jpeg)
![](http://carbl.com/im/2008/05/gullwing.jpg)
I wonder what the profit margin on the SLS is:eek: since it also uses an existing engine/tranny.
![](http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/02mbsls63amgfd-630op.jpg)
There's a lot to like about the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. After all, we're talking about a sleek, 563-horsepower super-Benz with functional gullwing doors and a soundtrack to melt your heart. It's the embodiment of German engineering... or is it? Inside Line cites unnamed sources who say that the SLS AMG actually began life as the next-generation Dodge Viper.
The story apparently goes like this. Dodge engineers were already hard at work on the next-gen Viper, with an aluminum chassis already completed and a new suspension on the way. Mercedes caught wind of the project and decided that the chassis would be the perfect starting point for the upcoming SLS. The two teams reportedly worked side-by-side on the project until Chrysler's cash crunch caused the Dodge team to focus its resources elsewhere. The end result was a brand-new SLS for Mercedes and a hole in Dodge's Viper lineup. IL bolsters its account of the Viper-turned-SLS with the fact that early SLS test mules caught by spy photogs were fitted with ill-assembled Viper sheetmetal.
While it's hard to blame Mercedes for utilizing existing engineering work (it did, after all own Chrysler at the time) to bring the SLS to market faster and cheaper, we're thinking it would have been nice to have a new aluminum chassis Viper on the streets. Here's hoping that the 2012 Viper makes us forget about our loss.
The story apparently goes like this. Dodge engineers were already hard at work on the next-gen Viper, with an aluminum chassis already completed and a new suspension on the way. Mercedes caught wind of the project and decided that the chassis would be the perfect starting point for the upcoming SLS. The two teams reportedly worked side-by-side on the project until Chrysler's cash crunch caused the Dodge team to focus its resources elsewhere. The end result was a brand-new SLS for Mercedes and a hole in Dodge's Viper lineup. IL bolsters its account of the Viper-turned-SLS with the fact that early SLS test mules caught by spy photogs were fitted with ill-assembled Viper sheetmetal.
While it's hard to blame Mercedes for utilizing existing engineering work (it did, after all own Chrysler at the time) to bring the SLS to market faster and cheaper, we're thinking it would have been nice to have a new aluminum chassis Viper on the streets. Here's hoping that the 2012 Viper makes us forget about our loss.
![](http://images03.olx.com/ui/2/66/22/f_34086422_1.jpeg)
![](http://carbl.com/im/2008/05/gullwing.jpg)
![](http://photos.autoexpress.co.uk/images/front_picture_library_UK/dir_518/car_photo_259113_7.jpg)
Last edited by LexFather; 06-16-10 at 01:36 PM.
#5
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (1)
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
http://www.motortrend.com/future/con.../photo_03.html
My bet would be the 2004 Chrysler ME412 proytotype made by Metalcrafters.
Metalcrafters also made the 1st Viper after Carrol Shelby bailed on the project, along with most of Chryslers prototype cars including the 2nd gen. Viper & more recently the Challenger. I worked there in 2005 while we built the Firepower, a Luxury oriented Viper type concept. MBZ provided the funds for this R&D. I used to test drive Chrysler vehicles before & after the MBZ "merger" & the quality improvements were obvious & rapid.
My bet would be the 2004 Chrysler ME412 proytotype made by Metalcrafters.
Metalcrafters also made the 1st Viper after Carrol Shelby bailed on the project, along with most of Chryslers prototype cars including the 2nd gen. Viper & more recently the Challenger. I worked there in 2005 while we built the Firepower, a Luxury oriented Viper type concept. MBZ provided the funds for this R&D. I used to test drive Chrysler vehicles before & after the MBZ "merger" & the quality improvements were obvious & rapid.
Trending Topics
#8
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: College Station, Texas
Posts: 1,547
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
It has nothing to do with it being less of a car man. It has to do witht he fact that Benz took what was supposed to be the next gen viper, engineering that was all Dodge, copied it, and made their own car. With this, Dodge gets no credit for practically buidling the SLS
#9
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I can't stand Vipers, so I have no problem with this. The SLS AMG still hasn't grown on me yet. The styling is kind of....meh. I don't think it's ugly, but I don't think it's terribly good looking either. I guess it makes sense that it was based off a Chrysler.
![Big Grin](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
#13
Lexus Test Driver
#15
Lexus Champion
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
The Viper is the only Dodge/Chrysler that I would even consider. I'd agree that it seems like Chrysler got boned on this one though. That being said, the Viper is a low volume vehicle that wasn't going to save a terrible company anyways.
![Thumb Down](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsdown.gif)