With its troubling sales figures, the newly rechristened SRT Dodge Viper needs to come out swinging for 2015. To do that, Dodge has made a number of tweaks and changes that will hopefully carry the V10-powered sports car into more successful days.

First up for 2015 is a new GT model, which aims to marry the reasonable price of the base car with the adjustable suspension and trick stability control program of the GTS model. The GT also sports a cabin that's covered in Alcantara suede and Nappa leather as standard.

Also new for 2015 is the SRT TA 2.0 Special Edition, which expands on last year's Viper TA by adding new aerodynamic bits and bobs, including a larger rear wing, which ups downforce at 150 miles per hour from 278 pounds to 400 pounds.

Two new shades of paint and a new appearance pack are joining the Viper's color palette. The new shades, Stryker Purple and Yorange sport the "liquid mercury" appearance. Not surprisingly, neither shade is particularly subtle. The new Ceramic Blue Edition Package, meanwhile, sports the aforementioned Ceramic Blue paint, black stripes and black, five-spoke "Rattler wheels." Other aesthetic tweaks include a Satin Black exhaust bezel, orange brake calipers and carbon fiber brake ducts.

Regardless of which trim, edition or shade you opt for in your 2015 Viper, you'll benefit from an 8.4-liter V10 that is both more powerful and more fuel efficient (because owners of V10-powered sports cars can be environmentally conscious, too). Power is up a modest five ponies, to 645 horsepower, while the Viper's highway fuel economy rating has increased from 19 to 20 mpg. Neither one is a dynamite increase, but we suppose every bit helps. In what should be a most welcomed change, though, Dodge has also tweaked the sixth ratio of the Tremec six-speed manual, with the promise of a quieter ride at highway speeds.

The big news for the 2015 Dodge Viper is not its 5 horsepower bump or the addition of new special editions, it’s a massive $15,000 price cut.

Dodge has officially announced that it is reducing the Viper’s starting U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) by $15,000, with the entry-level model now priced at $84,995. The price excludes tax, title, license, destination and gas guzzler tax.

Furthermore, current Gen 5 Viper owners will receive a certificate worth $15,000 to be redeemed toward the purchase of a new Dodge Viper. The $15,000 certificate is in addition to the $15,000 price reduction. Finally, the $15,000 price reduction also applies to all existing 2014 Vipers that are currently in dealers’ stocks. Dodge is hoping the price cut will convince buyers, as sales of the 2014 model have been below expectations.

Good news continue for Viper fans, as the 2015 model will be sold throughout the entire Dodge dealer network, and not just in SRT dealerships . More than 2,300 Dodge dealers will be able to sell the 2015 Dodge Viper. Production of the 2015 Dodge Viper will begin at the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in Detroit in the fourth quarter with vehicles arriving in dealer showrooms in the first quarter of 2015.

For 2015, the Viper’s 8.4-liter V10 engine delivers 645 horsepower and up to 20 mpg on the highway (11.8 l/100 km), an improvement of 5 hp and 1 mpg over the 2014 model. Dodge is also introducing new packages and new colors, including a new GT grade, GTS Ceramic Blue Special Edition with an exclusive Ceramic Blue exterior color and Black stripes, TA 2.0 Special Edition with high-performance Aero Package, as well as the Y’Orange, Stryker Orange and Stryker Purple exterior colors.

It may go without saying that slashing the price on a new car – especially one this enticing – would only serve to boost sales. But in case you needed hard evidence, look no further than the Dodge Viper.

Last month Chrysler announced it was chopping a solid $15k off the price of a new Viper, dropping the MSRP of a base model to under $85k, the Viper TA to just over $100k and the top-of-the-line GTS to under $108k. The result has been more than a doubling in sales: According to Yahoo! Autos, Dodge sold 108 Vipers last month, which emerged as the best results the model has racked up in its current iteration. This compared to only 38 units sold in August, 48 in July and 36 in June – or, for year-to-year comparison, just 45 units in September 2013.

The sales initiative – which also saw recent buyers compensated with a $15k voucher towards the purchase of a new Viper – came in response to lagging sales. Back in March, with sales plummeting and stock piling up, Chrysler idled the Conner Avenue plant that builds the Viper. It then extended the shut-down in July for another few weeks. But with production back online, prices adjusted and sales picking up, hopefully we'll have seen the last hiccup in the life of one of America's finest performance machines - especially with the MY2015 enhancements in store.

Chrysler Group LLC Announces Discontinuation of Factory-backed Road Racing Efforts
Announcement to withdraw from racing program with the conclusion of the 2014 IMSA TUDOR United SportsCar Championship season

October 6, 2014 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Chrysler Group LLC announced today that it is discontinuing the factory-backed SRT (Street and Racing Technology) Motorsports racing program in IMSA (International Motor Sports Association) with the conclusion of the 2014 season. This decision affects participation in the IMSA TUDOR United SportsCar Championship with the Dodge Viper SRT GTS-R GTLM-class team. The Dodge brand will redirect its focus and efforts on the brand's product lineup.

"Our company has made a business decision to discontinue the SRT Motorsports Dodge Viper GTS-R racing program," said Ralph Gilles, Senior Vice President of Product Design, Chrysler Group LLC. "We are very proud of the amazing achievements our fantastic teams, drivers and partners have achieved on track the last few seasons. We thank them for their hard work, effort and commitment to SRT Motorsports. It's been an honor to be a part of the inaugural IMSA TUDOR United SportsCar Championship season and we wish them every success in the future."

The Dodge Viper SRT GTS-R 2014 racing season concluded Saturday, Oct. 4 at the Petit Le Mans. The two-car SRT Motorsports team won the team and driver (Kuno Wittmer) titles in the inaugural IMSA TUDOR United SportsCar Championship GTLM-class. SRT Motorsports won two-of-three championships contested in the class and finished second in the GTLM manufacturer championship in just its second full year of the program.

As the company announced May 6, the SRT brand will continue to be aligned with the Dodge brand, delivering SRT ultimate performance vehicles to complement the Dodge brand's mainstream performance vehicles.

It appears that Dodge’s decision to cut $15,000 off the Viper’s price for 2015 models and unsold 2014 models went down well with consumers, as sales have almost tripled in September compared to August.

Chrysler Group dealerships across the United States sold 108 Vipers in September 2014, compared to just 38 units in August, 48 units in July and 36 units in June. Furthermore, September’s total marks the best sales month for the latest generation Viper since deliveries began in April 2013.

The previous record sales months for the Viper were June 2013 and April 2014, each with 97 units sold. Obviously, the price cut is the main reason for the increase in Viper sales, but good news is all 108 Vipers sold in September are 2014 models, as the updated 2015 Viper hasn’t gone on sale yet.

The 2015 Dodge Viper should attract even more customers, as it is priced the same but features a 5hp bump as well as an improved mileage rating on the highway – 20 mpg (11.8 l/100 km) versus 19 mpg (12.4 l/100 km) before.

Furthermore, the 2015 Viper also received a new GT package that bridges the gap between the base model and the range-topping GTS package. Other notable improvements have been made to the 2015 Viper Time Attack, which now offers better track performance.

It remains to be seen whether the price cut will be enough to boost Dodge Viper sales to 2,000 units per year as initially planned. However, September sales prove the automaker did the right thing. As a reminder, the base 2015 Viper is now priced at $84,995 (excluding tax, title, license, destination and gas guzzler tax).

Moreover, current Gen 5 Viper owners are entitled to a certificate worth $15,000 to be redeemed toward the purchase of a new Dodge Viper. The $15,000 certificate is in addition to the $15,000 price reduction. Finally, the $15,000 price reduction also applies to all existing 2014 Vipers that are currently in dealers’ stocks.

Joining the SRT and GT models

Dodge has announced it has officially started accepting customer sold orders for the TA 2.0 and GTS modifications of the Viper.

The two models join the existing SRT and GT trim levels in the vehicle’s lineup. Prices start at 101,995 USD for the TA 2.0 and at 107,995 USD for the GTS. The SRT and GT variants will be sold for 84,995 USD and 94,995 USD respectively, thanks to a massive 15,000 USD price cut announced in September.

The range-topping GTS now comes with much of the content which Dodge found customers most preferred. Standard equipment now includes Laguna leather six-way power seats, Alcantara headliner, a Harmon Kardon 18-speaker sound system and 18/19-inch polished aluminum Venom wheels. The brand will also offer the GTS Ceramic Blue Special Edition with Ceramic Blue exterior color, black stripes, orange brake calipers, rear carbon fiber applique and GTS gloss black badging.

The TA 2.0 edition features a high-performance Aero Package, a rear spoiler and front lower dive planes for “increased down force and improved handling on the track”, new 18/19-inch matte black alloys with Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires, a dual-mode suspension, a five-mode ESC, black Brembo brakes with orange lettering, performance brake pads and more.

All Viper models are powered by Dodge’s 8.4-liter V10 engine with 645 bhp (481 kW) and 600 lb-ft (814 Nm) of torque. The unit is mated to a six-speed manual transmission.

The compelling story of how a team of dedicated designers and craftspeople turned a muscle icon into a 645hp world-class supercar. The fifth generation Viper's origin is a journey of pure passion overcoming every obstacle thrown its way. See why the Viper is created like no other car in the world.

Will be priced from $94,995

Dodge has introduced the new Viper GTC.

Designed to be highly customizable, the GTC is based on the Viper GT but offers 8,000 exterior color options, 24,000 custom stripe colors, 10 wheel options, 16 interior trims and six aerodynamic packages. All told, there are more than 25 million ways for buyers to customize their Viper GTC.

The model will also come with a Viper Concierge who will provide "behind-the-scenes stories and pictures about their custom, hand-built Viper." As the company explains, owners will get regular updates including pictures of the meticulous paint process - which takes between 140 and 160 hours - and each phase of the car's assembly.

According to Dodge & SRT President Tim Kuniskis, "Because every Viper is hand crafted with such an extreme level of detail, we have the unique opportunity to make each one even more special by giving buyers the opportunity to customize each vehicle to their exact specifications. Now, Viper owners will be able to say their Viper is truly one of a kind.”

The Viper GTC will be priced from $94,995 and the company will begin accepting orders next month.

Could go into production this summer

Dodge has reportedly green-lighted the Viper ACR.

Citing a "reliable source," Allpar is reporting the model was recently approved for production and is scheduled to begin rolling off the assembly line in July as a 2016 model.

Little else is known about the car but Dodge showed a Viper ACR concept at the 2014 SEMA Motor Show. It featured an aerodynamic body kit with a carbon fiber front splitter, carbon fiber canards and a prominent rear wing. The car also had ventilated front fenders, a track-tuned suspension, carbon ceramic brakes and 19-inch alloy wheels with a satin black finish.

The sporty styling continued in the cabin as the concept had sport seats, carbon fiber trim and Alcantara upholstery. The carpet, amplifier and sound deadening material were also removed to reduce weight.

The Chrysler Group has never been the one to shy away from provocative and loud colors, but they're taking it to a whole new and flamboyant level with their "1-of-1" customization program for the Viper.

At the 2015 Chicago Auto Show, Dodge displayed a 2015 Viper GTC "1-of-1" finished in an almost psychedelic multi-color paint job with different hues on each side, not only on the body, but the alloy wheels too (black on the driver's side, gunmetal grey on the passenger's).

The reason why they call it "1-of-1", is because with 8,000 color options for the exterior, 24,000 custom stripes, 10 different wheels, 16 interior trims and 6 aero packages, there are over 25 million to customize the Viper and Dodge won't allow any two identical configurations, including color, during the same model year.

For the privilege of being able to boast to your friends of having an "exclusive" Viper GTC, Dodge asks for at least $94,995 (MSRP), compared to the starting price of $84,995 for the base GT upon which the GTC 1-of-1 is based.

With 645 horsepower available from an 8.4-liter V-10, the fifth-generation Dodge Viper is hardly lacking in performance. However, with Cadillac’s new CTS-V packing similar heat and Dodge’s own Challenger and Charger SRT Hellcats each coming with 707 hp, we’d understand if there were any Viper owners looking for a power boost.

Thankfully, there are companies out there offering just that. One is RSI Racing Solutions based in Plano, Texas. The company is offering a twin-turbocharger upgrade for the fifth-gen Viper that makes stupid power. On regular pump gas, RSI promises more than 1,000 hp at the wheels. Switch to racing fuel or E85 and you’re looking at more than 1,500 hp!

Understandably, the upgrades are extensive. They include a pair of Precision turbochargers, new breathing systems and fuel upgrades, a stroker kit, forged internals, Motec engine management, drivetrain mods and much, much more.

Unsurprisingly, the price for all this performance will set you back more than the cost of a base Viper. RSI charges $89,950 for this particular package. But should your budget and power needs be a bit more conservative, RSI has a similar package that will cost you a more reasonable $44,950. This one relies mostly on bolt on parts but you still get more than 850 hp at the wheels on pump gas.

As you may have guessed, either path to building the performance of the Viper is definitely not for the fainthearted.