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Dodge To Offer Limited Edition Viper GT2

6 May 1998

Dodge To Offer Limited Edition Viper GT2

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich., May 6 -- Chrysler Corporation
renewed its commitment to motorsports in 1996 by entering its Dodge Vipers
into the FIA GT Series.  In 1997, Vipers drove home with two GT2 class world
motorsports championships including the driver's and manufacturer's titles.
To commemorate the dual motorsports victory, Dodge will build 100 street-legal
1998 GT2 Championship Edition Vipers.
    "We are the first American company to win an FIA Championship with a
production-based vehicle that was designed and engineered in-house," said Jim
Julow, General Manager of the Dodge Division.  "This commemorative edition
Viper is a celebration of our success at the race track and the success of
Dodge in the marketplace.  Every time we succeed at the track, we further
build on the performance image of the Dodge Viper and the Dodge brand."
    Taking styling cues from the champion Viper GTS-R, the collector Viper
will be white with blue front-to-rear dual race stripes.  The racing paint
scheme will be complemented with an aggressive aerodynamics package complete
with fascia dive plates, black sill ground effects, a front splitter and rear
wing.  In addition to the aerodynamics package, an enhanced powertrain
improves performance to 460 hp @ 5200 rpm from 450 hp @5200 rpm and increases
torque to 500 ft/lb at 3600 rpm from 490 ft/lb at 3700 rpm.
    Special badging and graphics will include a "Viper GTS-R" banner on the
windshield and hood sides.  An American flag appears on the upper quarter
panel with "FIA GT2 Champion" underneath.  The limited edition Viper will be
armed with 18-inch Michelin MXX3 tires and unique 18-inch one-piece wheels
complete with a chrome Viper snake head logo on each of the center caps.
    The interior will be black with blue accents on door inserts, bolsters,
and the center console and parking brake.  A dash plaque highlighting the
commemorative series and vehicle identification number (VIN) will be mounted
on the center console.  The interior will come complete with a five-point
restraint system, identical to the restraint system used by Viper Team ORECA,
the France-based factory race team that captured both championships.
    The suggested retail price for Viper GT2 is $85,200 which includes
destination.  The vehicles will be manufactured at Conner Avenue Assembly
Plant in Detroit, Mich. and will go on sale this summer.
    Since 1992, Dodge has sold more than 9,500 Vipers.  Currently there are
over 1,700 members of the Viper Club of America and 27 Viper Clubs throughout
the United States.  Internationally, there are a total of six Viper Clubs in
Canada, Japan, Switzerland, and Germany.
    Viper first appeared as a concept car in 1989 and later as a production
vehicle in 1992.  The vehicle is credited for playing a critical role in the
re-emergence of the Dodge brand.  After its 1992 debut, Dodge continued to
unveil a stable of boldly-designed vehicles including Intrepid, Ram, Dakota
and Durango.
    Over the past five years, Dodge retail sales have increased 100 percent,
brand loyalty has more than doubled to 52 percent from 25 percent, and market
share has increased to nine percent from six percent.  With Intrepid, Durango,
Ram Quad Cab, Van/Wagon, Dakota R/T, and Neon R/T, 1998 marks the largest
model year launch in the history of the Dodge brand.
SOURCE  Chrysler Corporation