Regarded round the world for its exotic supercars, Ferrari counts itself among the automotive elite — and for good reason. That’s why it came as such a compliment when Ferrari boss, presumably Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, stood speechless in front of the SRT Viper.
Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne described Montezemolo’s reaction as exactly that during a radio interview on a Detroit station, though he never referred to the Ferrari chairman by name, only by title.
“The car is a superb machine,” Marchionne, told WJR-AM radio. “I had the chairman of Ferrari down here for the board meeting last week and he had a chance to look at the car, and he was speechless. I mean, for Ferrari to admit that the car is a unique vehicle is a hell of a compliment to the work that’s gone on here. So I’m delighted. I mean, so far, knock on wood, we’re doing well.”
With an undeniably enthusiastic reception at last month’s New York Auto Show, there’s no question that the SRT Viper is becoming a media darling. It’s Italian-influenced design and aggressive 8.4-liter V10 with 640 hp and 600 lb-ft of torque will be more than enough to put a crick in your neck if you aren’t careful off the line. That’s nothing new for the potent road snake, but its curvaceous styling seen by many as Ferrari influenced is.
