Dodge Viper Custom Carbon Fiber Over 70k Invested Unlike Any Other Must See on 2040-cars

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Is this the 2020 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody?

Last month we told you about the heavy anticipation that Dodge will release Charger Widebody versions in SRT Hellcat and R/T Scat Pack trims for 2020. Now we have strong visual evidence to back it up. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Instagram user and self-described motorsports enthusiast zl1_dre_92c captured a brief video while out driving around suburban Detroit Tuesday of what appears to be a Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody with more pronounced fenders and distinctive graphics passing him in traffic. We can see SRT spelled out on the lower passenger front door and on the rear fascia, and curiously, it appears to be sporting a Florida license plate. Mopar Insider says a source told it that's because Dodge was trying to keep the muscle car away from the usual prying eyes in Detroit and instead has been running it around its secret testing facility near Naples, Fla. The website further surmises that the model could well debut this weekend at the SoCal LX Club Spring Fest 14 in Pomona, Calif., an annual gathering of Mopar fanatics. That would explain the flashy wrap graphics and our suspicions that this isn't a test car; why else would Dodge so clearly advertise the car's SRT lineage? Although both models would get specialized suspension tuning, it's believed that the engines and outputs will remain — a 485-horsepower, 6.4-liter V8 in the R/T Scat Pack and the 6.2-liter V8 making 717 hp for the SRT Hellcat. Both will also reportedly get the same 20-by-11-inch Pirelli performance tires as are found on the Challenger Widebody. They're wrapped around five-spoke blacked-out aluminum wheels, accented with red brake calipers. It appears we'll know more about this curiosity soon.

Stellantis reports $15B profit in first year of merger

FRANKFURT, Germany — Automaker Stellantis said Wednesday that it made 13.4 billion euros ($15.2 billion) in its first year after it was formed from the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA Group. The earnings nearly tripled profits compared with its pre-merger existence as two separate companies, as the maker of Jeep, Opel and Peugeot vehicles exploited cost efficiencies from combining the businesses. The result compared to a combined 4.79 billion euros for the separate companies in 2020 before the merger, which took effect on Jan. 17, 2021. Revenue for the combined business rose 14%, to 152 billion euros. CEO Carlos Tavares said the results “prove that Stellantis is well positioned to deliver strong performance" and had overcome “intense headwinds” during the year. Automakers have struggled with shortages of key parts such as semiconductor electronic components and rising costs for raw materials as the global rebound from the worst of the coronavirus pandemic brings more demand. The company said the benefits of the merger were worth some 3.2 billion euros during the year. Mergers can lead to streamlined costs as companies combine functions and spread fixed costs over a larger revenue base. The company accelerated its rollout of battery-powered vehicles, with sales of low-emission vehicles reaching 388,000 — an increase of 160%. Stricter environmental regulations in Europe and China are pushing automakers to roll out more electric vehicles with longer range. Stellantis started production of a hydrogen fuel cell commercial van under its Opel brand in December. Stellantis' other brands include Chrysler, Citroen, DS, Fiat, Maserati, Ram and Vauxhall. Related video: Earnings/Financials Chrysler Dodge Ferrari Fiat Jeep RAM Citroen Opel Peugeot Vauxhall

Dodge Viper ACR still can't quite capture Nurburgring record

Dodge Viper production ended just a few weeks ago. So in an effort to go out with a bang, a crowdfunded effort sent a pair of new Viper ACRs to the Nurburgring in order to reclaim the production-car lap record. Despite its best efforts, the team failed to top the Lamborghini Huracan Performante's time of 6 minutes and 52 seconds. The Viper's best lap was 7 minutes and 3.45 seconds, leaving a seemingly insurmountable gap between it and the Lamborghini. This past week, the Vipers went out again. Unfortunately the new time of 7:3.23 only shaved a few tenths. Road & Track reports that the hot weather played a major factor into the car's performance. August is hot in Germany, and the northern part of the track had a recorded temperature of 111 degrees. This was killing tires and therefore grip. While Kumho has been kind enough to supply the team with tires, an endless supply of rubber doesn't help if they keep getting cooked. In two hours, the team managed just two hot laps, killing 16 tires in the process. It's not over. A return trip is in the works. The team believes it can slide under the 7 minute mark. Still, it looks like it's going to take some really ideal conditions to make it work. Either way, the Viper ACR is and will remain one of the fastest production cars ever built and something of the likes we'll never see again. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. News Source: Road & TrackImage Credit: Dodge Dodge Coupe Performance dodge viper acr