Thread: Mercedes SLS AMG Was Supposed to be the Next Dodge Viper

Autoguide

Mercedes touts its new SLS AMG supercar as the first-ever ground-up vehicle build by the company’s high-performance AMG division, but now it appears as though that might not be entirely the case. In fact, according to a shocking new report by InsideLine, the SLS AMG started life as the next-generation Dodge Viper.

As the story goes, Dodge has designed an all-new aluminum chassis for the Viper long before the SLS had even begun production, but when Mercedes/AMG got word of the project they were immediately intrigued and began using the car as a stepping stone in their own development. The two projects were even being developed side by side for a while until the recession hit, Chrysler filed for bankruptcy protection, Mercedes parent company Daimler sold off its stake in the company and Fiat subsequently picked up the pieces.

Meanwhile AMG engineers continued working on their project, only to complete the SLS and launch it as a new ultra-expensive exotic from Germany.

The whole situation just smacks of irony, with the entire development plan of Chrysler designed to use old Daimler (Mercedes) chassis for their vehicles. In the end, however, it was Daimler that grabbed a still-in-development chassis from the American automaker on which to base its flagship vehicle.

From Insideline:


Insideline

Remember the original prototypes of the Mercedes-Benz SLS coupe? When we caught them running around Death Valley a few years ago and they were wearing chopped-up Dodge Viper bodywork. At the time, we figured it was nothing more than a case of Mercedes recycling some spare body parts from its corporate partner.

Turns out there is a little more to the story. Inside Line has learned that Dodge was in fact working on a next-generation Viper before the Mercedes project had even started. Dodge engineers had already built an all-aluminum chassis and were working on a completely redesigned suspension setup.

When the Mercedes side of DaimlerChrysler caught wind of the project it figured it would make a good basis for the SLS. The two projects quickly became parallel development programs with Mercedes piggy backing on the work Dodge had already done.

Not too long after that, the Dodge engineers were pulled off the Viper project as the company's declining financial situation forced it to abandon non-essential programs. Mercedes continued the work and the SLS AMG soon became reality.

Dodge will have a chance to redeem itself when the Viper returns from a short hiatus in a few years, but we suspect the engineers still look at every SLS AMG and wonder what the current Viper could have been.

wow. that is very interesting.

Nick

^ +1

woah. thats one expensive dodge haha

I'm not really sure why this news is circulating again. I thought it was well known back when they did the testing.

I was fortunate to see the SLS in viper clothing as well as the SL65 BS and a zonda prototype before they were released doing high altitude testing. They always kept the SLS/viper under wraps and it was to the right in this pic.

Very intresting..

Not that I was going to buy one anyway, but this info would certainly make me think twice about the market manipulation that the mfgr did before plunking down so much money for the car.

Originally Posted by ///M3TZ

I'm not really sure why this news is circulating again. I thought it was well known back when they did the testing.

I was fortunate to see the SLS in viper clothing as well as the SL65 BS and a zonda prototype before they were released doing high altitude testing. They always kept the SLS/viper under wraps and it was to the right in this pic.

That's freakn awesome? The Zonda
Where was that?

very interesting. Back in the day, when every car company was it's own, we wouldn't have to think about stuff like this.

goes to show that despite all they say negative about american car companies, they can build some nasty fast cars.