Because Mercedes "borrowed" the design work of the next gen viper from Dodge, then dumped the project once they had what they needed...luckily for us, Fiat seems to have saved the Viper..

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-8...xt-Dodge-Viper

 

I'm sorry im a little confused by the article. But how did Fiat come to save the Viper? So they are doin the 2012 viper then and are they doin a new platform?

 

Ive heard both, that Viper is for sure dead, but lately Ive heard that it will take a year or two (or three or four or...) hiatus and return. I hope it comes back, with more power and LIGHTER weight.

I believe it was just last week I read an interview with Ralph Gilles, that said Viper will return and will remain V10 powered, although a V8 sister wasnt out of the question.