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Watch the Dodge Viper Send Off – The Last Viper Unveiling

After a lifespan of 25 years, the Viper is leaving the Dodge family.

The Viper has been extremely successful throughout its quarter-century career, including 14 road course records such as its staggering 1:33.92 lap time at Laguna Seca and its 1:26.54 at Road Atlanta, both in its ACR specification. Dodge seem to be in the habit of breaking records don’t they?

To commemorate the passing of this magnificent performance car, Dodge partnered with Penzoil to produce a video showing off the car that has plagued the minds of car enthusiasts all over the world since 1992. Skip to 3:30 for the short film, produced by JWT Atlanta.

In this Fast and Furious-esque video, a Dodge Viper ACR is stolen from within a ship container before it takes to the streets of Miami in the hands of film stunt driver, Rhys Millen.

JWT executive creative director Jeremy Jones says:

“When we found out Dodge was going to discontinue the Viper, we were heartbroken. It’s the only American car that competes for international track records.”

Unlike the aforementioned film title, this film includes no CGI whatsoever. Even the jump, which was described as a “happy accident”.

“We’re trying to reach the same audience as Fast and Furious, but this is rooted in realism,” “[there is] no CGI except in the cleanup [of footage]. So, we basically drive the piss out of these vehicles in the ultimate demo of the motor oil … capturing that kinetic energy.”

This jump in particular really shows the potency of that rear wing and the downforce it creates. Look closely at how the rear of the car forces itself back down onto the road compared to the nose. It was a truly incredible piece of aerodynamic engineering.

At the end of the video it is hinted that the next short film to come from Penzoil and Dodge will be of the Demon. But before that, tide yourself over with this Behind the Scenes video and indulge yourself in the purr of that v10 and the tyre smoke it creates.

 

Alex Harrington

Alex started racing at a young age so certainly knows his way around a car and a track. He can just about put a sentence together too, which helps. He has a great interest in the latest models, but would throw all of his money at a rusty old French classic and a 300ZX. Contact: [email protected]

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One Comment

  1. I remember seeing the Viper for the first time in Gran Turismo 1 when I was seven. I made it the main goal of my playthrough to get it. According to my seven-year-old self, if I had the Viper, I had beaten the game. Sadly, I have never seen one up close and personal. Sad to see it go away.

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