The SRT Viper (2013) is it part of Chrysler or isn't it. I know SRT broke away from Chrysler to start their own brand, yet they still build the cars at a Chrysler plant? And at the Toronto Auto Show they still presenting as a Chrysler model.

So whats the deal.

 

Yes, the Viper is still firmly a part of Chrysler. SRT is just a division within the company, like Ford's Special Vehicle Team(SVT). I guess this is just their attempt to further separate the Viper from everything else in their line-up and establish it as something truly special. But, in reality, SRT isn't a separate brand from Chrysler itself, like Ram or Jeep; it's just the division responsible for in-house factory tuning.

So don't be confused by marketing speak and what have you. Just like the GT500 is still a Ford, the Viper is still a Dodge/Chrysler.

 

I know SRT was the Performance aspect of Dodge/Chrysler. Much like TRD for Toyota and Nimso for Nissan etc.

But I remembered when they did a documentary not so long ago they mention that SRT became it's own brand, reason why they called the Viper, "SRT Viper 2012" and not Chrysler/Dodge Viper?

 

I wasn't aware that SRT had officially been turned into a separate brand, but apparently they were. I suppose that's what I get for not keeping up with Mopar news. I heard rumors that Chrysler was going to do it, but I didn't put much stock in them because I thought it was stupid. I still do, but I'm not running the company, so...

I guess they can call it the SRT Viper now and actually have it mean something. No idea why they did it, other than to separate the Viper from the rest of the line-up. I guess they think people will take it more seriously if it's not "just a Dodge"? But they aren't fooling anyone. SRT may be its own brand now, but it's still owned and controlled by Chrysler(as is the plant where the Vipers are being made; as far as I know it's the same plant they used back when the Viper was still a Dodge), everyone involved is still on Chrysler's payroll, and SRT's main roll is still tuning up existing Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep vehicles.