SRT Viper to be refreshed in 2015, Charger, Challenger in 2014, Dart SRT delayed until 2016

Nestled among the many boring pages of the Chrysler Group’s recent 2012 financial announcement slideshow was the 2013 Business Plan Update that offers a look at the changes coming to the company over the next few years, including a vehicle refresh planned for 2015 that can only really apply to the SRT Viper.  The chart in question (shown above) shows that in 2012 the SRT Viper debuted while 2013 brought about the refresh of the Grand Cherokee SRT – both of which have obviously already happened.

 In 2014, we can see that there are three refreshed models planned which can only apply to the SRT variants of the Charger, Challenger and Chrysler 300C since the Viper will only be two years old while the Grand Cherokee will be practically brand new.  This 2014 refresh of the Charger SRT and the Challenger SRT could bring about the supercharged 6.2L “Hellcat” Hemi while it should also bring about the next generation of the Challenger.  There is speculation that the Charger will also be refreshed ahead of – or in conjunction with – the debut of the next generation SRT model but considering how popular the current Charger is…Im hoping that the refresh isnt too substantial. A 600hp supercharged Hemi would work just fine for the 4-door muscle car while the Challenger should get the refresh that it so desperately needs to compete with the Mustang and Camaro.

2015 shows that the SRT lineup will debut a newly refreshed model and with the Grand Cherokee, the Charger, the Challenger and the Chrysler 300C models having all being redone in some capacity in the two years prior – the Viper is the only vehicle in the SRT stable to receive a refresh.  This will likely be the 2016 SRT Viper and while it seems hasty to refresh the sexy new supercar so quickly – this 2015 refresh will likely allow the Viper to keep up with the other cars in the supercar segment.  The 2015 refresh of the Viper could also bring about the introduction of the next generation Viper ACR and/or the Viper Roadster/Convertible – provided that the company doesn’t sneak them into the lineup before then.  Right now, there is no mention of any other new models between then and now but things can change and something like a new high performance model or a convertible could be in the plans without being listed as a refresh or as a new model.

Finally, the chart shows that there is a new model planned for the SRT brand in 2016.  This could be the arrival of the SRT Viper ACR or the Viper Roadster/Convertible if those models had not already debuted in the years prior or as part of the 2015 Viper refresh.  However, there is a far better chance that the new SRT vehicle in 2016 could be either the popularly rumored SRT Cuda – an ultra high performance version of the next generation Challenger – or the long awaited debut of the Dart SRT. There has been no proof that the Cuda does or ever will exist but insider information informed me that there was an SRT designed Dodge Dart at last year’s national dealership convention in Las Vegas.  This news led many to believe that the Dart SRT was close to production but with no new additions to the SRT lineup between now and 2016 – hopeful SRT compact buyers might find themselves waiting at least 3 more years before they lay their eyes on the highest performance Dodge Dart.

Patrick Rall

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

Rall can be contacted at QuickMirada@Yahoo.com

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