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25 Mar 2014, 10:36 (Ref:3384038) | #26 | ||
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So you consider the vette not to be american muscle?
In any case, I don't really think the viper isn't selling because it has only 640hp (lol), no ceramic brakes standard or such things. As it stands, its so far off the racket of current ferraris in terms of price and quality, that they are not truly competing for the same clientel. its competing in the cheap car, awesome power, good performance bracket, and if its not succeeding there, it just means that people are not choosing it over stuff like the Corvette, big 'stangs and the odd Porsche or Power-Saloon. I mean, I think its a sympathetic car and I want Viper to stay around for sure, but would I choose it over a recent TVR or corvette? Can't say I would. I suppose the car just isn't hitting the home run with me, and I think its the same with others. Everyone I talked to likes the viper in theory, but for the money you can have other stuff these days. |
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25 Mar 2014, 10:58 (Ref:3384057) | #27 | ||
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Be a blow for Vette I think as well, they would want the PR of beating another American muscle car as well as the Europeans.
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25 Mar 2014, 11:21 (Ref:3384073) | #28 | ||
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25 Mar 2014, 11:31 (Ref:3384078) | #29 | ||
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A fair point, and one that actually crossed my mind while writing the post.
Five or so years ago, no question, the Corvette was the epitome of American muscle. Looking at the last couple of generations it feels as though it's been softened a little, become a much more rounded car, and in its latest guise comes across a lot more like an international supercar rather than something that has an engine the size of the moon to get round arguable shortcomings in the handling department. This isn't a criticism of Corvette or the guys at P&M - they've worked within the ruleset they've got to build something that's going to be competitive, but it's different to the singular approach of the SRT Vipers. |
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25 Mar 2014, 11:50 (Ref:3384092) | #30 | ||
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So is it still only sold in N. America? Hard to get good sales numbers if you limit the market
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25 Mar 2014, 17:03 (Ref:3384250) | #31 | ||
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I think this is a continuation of corporate short shortsightedness. You're not going to build a brand by continually starting it and stopping it.
In 2009 Corvette had it's worst sales since 1961. But they didn't stop. No doubt Vette sales dwarf Viper, but the Vette brand wasn't built in a couple years. It seems that's what Chrysler/Fiat expect. I think the old Field of Dreams quote, "If you build it, they will come," is long gone for America. No one has the patience. It doesn't help that executive compensation is tied to quarterly results. All they care about is the next quarters numbers, instead of the overall health of the company. Instead of investing for the future and ensuring the brand and the pipeline is strong, they're making sure they get theirs. |
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25 Mar 2014, 17:30 (Ref:3384261) | #32 | ||||
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One thing that I pointed out in another thread is the ACO's BOP test that is required. Given the TUSC schedule, it may be too challenging or cost prohibitive to participate. |
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25 Mar 2014, 18:54 (Ref:3384289) | #33 | |
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Bad news.
But if sales are disappointing I would say it is just an extra reason to promote the car, especially if it's a sports car. |
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25 Mar 2014, 18:55 (Ref:3384290) | #34 | |
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Autoblog.com has the story up. Confirming its just Le Mans. Funny that it makes room for... two more Ferrari's If anyone visits ferrarichat, they know the Viper is what it is because Fiat doesn't want the car fighting Ferrari. It could be a lot more for the money. The Vette has ceramic brakes, top rated semi slick michelins, about equal power/performance and costs 10's of thousands less. No wonder its sales are off. This could be different but its not. And at the head of the company you need to look at whos in charge.
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26 Mar 2014, 13:34 (Ref:3384621) | #35 | ||
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If I were the ACO, I wouldn't permit the 2 Ferrari's to take the place of the "withdrawn", i.e. Fiat banned Vipers, I'd instead permit 2 other non Ferrari/Fiat brands. Lack of variety can and will hurt a racing series in the long run.
What a bunch of fools the ACO are. I will say I'm surprised that Le Mans is still "significant" after they let diesel, a technology that no high end street sports car (*cough* Audi R8 *cough*) implements, have such stronghold for over a decade. If I were in charge, I'd also only permit technologies on prototypes, that manufacturer's have actually attempted to implement or try to implement on their street legal cars (that of course has met a minimum production level of say 25). It seems their being more favorable to hybrid? Which is good since the LaFerrari and McLaren P(whatever it's called)?? have hybrid implemented.... but then again I'm going off topic, so I'll end my rant. |
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26 Mar 2014, 14:13 (Ref:3384636) | #36 | ||
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Haha, the number of random, insane conspiracy theories on here grows by another one.
Chrysler/SRT don't want to pay for Le Mans. End of. There is nothing more to the withdrawal than that. It's a shame because we love the variety, but hard luck; our entertainment isn't worth their dollars in this instance. |
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26 Mar 2014, 14:52 (Ref:3384651) | #37 | |||
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No threat to the TUSC program at this time. |
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26 Mar 2014, 16:32 (Ref:3384690) | #38 | |
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Somehow, I fear that Chrysler won't have motorsports involvement once SRT pulled out indefinitely.
I think Fiat-Chrysler should just treat Ferrari and SRT (Dodge) equally just like Audi and Porsche. Or, let Ferrari do Formula One while SRT do sportscar racing. |
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26 Mar 2014, 16:39 (Ref:3384696) | #39 | |||
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26 Mar 2014, 17:25 (Ref:3384718) | #40 | |
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It would be foolish in the extreme for Ferrari to stop racing the 458 (or whatever the next introductory-level street model will be.) It sustains Ferrari's history as a GT competitor, it gives the marque great visibility, it directly relates to the street car, and it is successful.
Much smarter to let Viper sink or swim than to hinder Ferrari to (hopefully) aid SRT. It's not like people looking at the 458 are also considering the Viper. |
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26 Mar 2014, 17:53 (Ref:3384730) | #41 | ||
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I don't think there's even a smell of conspiracy from ACO or FIAT at all. Adding another two 458 won't really help winning the LM24 unless they are title contenders who are usually not on the reserve list, are they? ACO surely wants car variety here, but the choice of GT2 is extremely limited now, no match against GT3 I'd say. Vette, Aston, 458, 911, viper(Not available now), that's all.
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26 Mar 2014, 22:15 (Ref:3384829) | #42 | ||
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I just think its a shame to lose the noise and spectacle of the Viper. I was really looking forward to seeing it last year and was not disappointed - though did hope for a slightly better showing. This year was thinking they might put up a better fight but now we will never know.
Don't imagine there is any great conspiracy here just business and a lack of funds. I may be wrong but I suspect a Viper running reasonably well in a series in the States will more likely boost sales in the US than a one-off run in Europe (even if it is the biggest sportscar race in the world) with a low chance of success and will save a bag of cash to boot. |
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26 Mar 2014, 22:19 (Ref:3384830) | #43 | ||
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27 Mar 2014, 01:25 (Ref:3384873) | #44 | ||
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It would really be a shame if their racing efforts are curtailed beyond missing Le Mans. I was excited when it was announced they were returning to racing, they have been a welcome addition to GTE/GTLM.
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27 Mar 2014, 04:06 (Ref:3384892) | #45 | ||
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27 Mar 2014, 17:41 (Ref:3385235) | #46 | |
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Chrysler dropped Le Mans to focus on USC autosport reports.
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27 Mar 2014, 17:46 (Ref:3385239) | #47 | ||
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Interesting to see a GT3 spec car on the P'W'C St Petersburg entry list, was this reported before? I missed it if so, thought it was the Keating car that was entered.
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27 Mar 2014, 18:32 (Ref:3385255) | #48 | ||
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It doesn't exactly do Le Mans much good either. If that is genuinely why they've pulled out I've just lost a massive amount of respect for that programme. |
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27 Mar 2014, 18:45 (Ref:3385257) | #49 | |
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Why? Teams drop out because costs every year. Even manufacturers. Hopefully they return next year with a better car and financial position.
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27 Mar 2014, 19:06 (Ref:3385261) | #50 | ||
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I don't think there is going to be a next year.
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