Apparent word out of Fiat HQ in Turin, Italy is that the next version of the Viper may be outfitted with a V10 version of the companies new corporate V8.

Ferrari would get a flat-plane crank V8 version, Maserati would get a cross-plane crank V8 version and Viper would get a push rod actuated V10 version.  Push rods being where low end torque comes from and without torque, a Viper isn’t a Viper.

Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne says the Viper will be Chrysler’s halo car that transmits the brands best merits and will be marketed accordingly (pretty sure that means competitively raced in markets where Chrysler’s will be sold)

Its good to see someone running Chrysler again (remarkably another Italian) that seriously has a clue what they are doing.

• Fiat 500 to be built in Mexico
• 2010 Dodge Viper Laguna Seca Edition
• Chrysler to display with Fiat at Frankfurt