Dodge Copperhead

Last updated
Dodge Copperhead
Dodge copperhead.jpg
Overview
Manufacturer Chrysler Corporation
Also calledDodge Concept Car
Dodge Concept Vehicle
Production1997 (1 built as prototype)
Designer John E. Herlitz
Body and chassis
Class Sports car
Body style 2-door Roadster
Layout FR layout
Platform Dodge Viper
Powertrain
Engine 2.7 L LH DOHC V6
Power output220 hp (164 kW; 223 PS)
188 lb⋅ft (255 N⋅m)
Transmission 5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,794 mm (110.0 in) [1]
Length4,242 mm (167.0 in)
Width1,829 mm (72.0 in)
Height1,262 mm (49.7 in)
Curb weight 1,295 kg (2,855 lb)
Rear end 1997 Dodge Copperhead Concept (31904299905).jpg
Rear end

The Dodge Copperhead, later unofficially renamed as Dodge Concept Car or Dodge Concept Vehicle, was a concept car [2] created by Dodge as a slimmed-down version of the Dodge Viper for buyers who couldn't afford the Viper's $75,000 cost.

Contents

Overview

The Dodge Copperhead was unveiled at the 1997 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. [3] [4] Many reviewers[ who? ] were impressed with its aerodynamic, yet rugged styling with its Copper Fire Orange color [4] and the fact that its sale price would be about US$30,000 (US$45,000 less than the Viper). The Copperhead, unlike the Viper, was made more for handling and driving pleasure, while the Viper was made more for raw power. The Copperhead had excellent handling due to its low, wide stance. Dodge engineered the Copperhead to make the driver feel the road and the pavement, and this was done by stretching the wheels to the end of the frame, adding five inches of ground clearance and a stiff suspension, making this car marketed more towards enthusiasts. The Dodge Copperhead was due to be released in 2000, but was canceled.

Design

The exterior and interior designs of the Copperhead are both completely distinct compared to its original influence and platform, the Viper, but the Copperhead still contains some designs from it. [5]

Exterior

An all-new bodykit made specifically for the Copperhead takes over most of the Viper's design to distinguish it. This new body forces some parts from its original platform to be changed (either in shape or position), or be removed. Even with the stuffy-looking design, the Copperhead is still slightly shorter than the Viper, except for the wheelbase, which is a foot (300 mm; 12 in) longer than it.

The Copperhead's new look includes larger wheel fenders, a larger front bumper, a slightly smaller front grille, headlights positioned below the hood, side inlet pits (rather than the regular side performance inlets), removed front air intake, smaller hood louvers, a stubby top rear fin, smaller Viper taillights, and front wheels that have been slightly moved forward for better handling.

Interior

The dashboard tachometer has been changed entirely, now with an old-school design. Four gauges sit on the middle of the dashboard, displaying the engine oil, speedometer, fuel, and temperature, with the high beam lights and turn signal displays sitting beside them. Below the gauges sits a head-like designed center console control area, and includes climate control, two air conditioning fans, temperature display, radio FM display, and other functions. Below the controls sits the 5-speed manual transmission, and the handbrake. The whole center console design resembles a copperhead snake. The steering wheel design remains, the same design used for the Phase ZB series Vipers.

Specifications

The Dodge Copperhead is powered by a 2.7 L (160 cu in) LH all-aluminum DOHC V6 engine manufactured by Chrysler, that is placed at a front longitudinal position. The engine puts out 220 hp (164 kW; 223 PS) at 6000 rpm and 188 lb⋅ft (255 N⋅m) at 4900 rpm. All of the power is sent to the rear wheels by a 5-speed close-ratio manual transmission, therefore making the car rear-wheel drive. The chassis is heavily based on the Dodge Viper, but has been extensively modified to suit the Copperhead's requirements. Its tires, which are 225/40R18 up front, and 255/40R18 down the rear, help the precise handling, thanks to its wide width and sticky footprint. The suspension is composed of double wishbones with coil over dampers. These are also short-and-long-arm versions to better increase comfort and better handling. [6]

Name controversy

After the unveiling of the Copperhead, Dodge received a complaint regarding ownership of the rights to the "Copperhead" name. A customized 1950 Ford Coupe owned by Billy Gibbons of the American rock band ZZ Top, had already been registered with the Kopperhead name. As a result, DaimlerChrysler unofficially renamed the car, with it being referred to as the "Concept Vehicle" instead of "Copperhead" in press kits, scale toys, and other merchandise. This made press kits or items with the Copperhead name collectibles.

Media

The Dodge Copperhead makes an appearance in Gran Turismo and Gran Turismo 2 . After the Copperhead name controversy, the Copperhead was renamed as the "Concept Car" in the games.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plymouth (automobile)</span> Defunct American automobile brand

Plymouth was a brand of automobiles produced by Chrysler Corporation and its successor DaimlerChrysler. The brand was launched in 1928 to compete in what was then described as the "low-priced" market segment that was dominated by Chevrolet and Ford. It became a high-volume seller for the automaker until the late 1990s. Plymouth cars were marketed primarily in the United States. The brand was withdrawn from the marketplace in 2001. The Plymouth models that were produced up to then were either discontinued or rebranded as Chrysler or Dodge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chrysler Cirrus</span> Motor vehicle

The Chrysler Cirrus is a mid-sized 4-door notchback sedan introduced by Chrysler motors for the 1995 model year. Built on the Chrysler JA platform, the 4-door notchback sedan joined Chrysler's roster of "Cloud Car" models drawing their names from meteorological terms, including the mid-priced Dodge Stratus it was based on introduced at the same time, and the low-priced Plymouth Breeze variant a year later.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk</span> Motor vehicle

The Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk was a grand touring coupe sold by Studebaker motors between 1962 and 1964. The top of the Studebaker line, it was the final development of the Hawk series that began with the Golden Hawk in 1956.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dodge Omni</span> Motor vehicle

The Dodge Omni and the nearly identical badge engineered variant, the Plymouth Horizon, is a subcompact car manufactured and marketed by Chrysler Corporation for model years 1978-1990. The first Chrysler model line produced with front-wheel drive, the Omni and Horizon were also the first front-wheel drive economy cars assembled in the United States. Marketed for eleven years with very few changes, around 2,500,000 Omnis and Horizons were manufactured, with the Plymouth variants more popular than the Dodge-branded models.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ram pickup</span> American full-size pickup built by Stellantis

The Ram pickup is a full-size pickup truck manufactured by Stellantis North America and marketed from 2010 onwards under the Ram Trucks brand. The current fifth-generation Ram debuted at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, in January of that year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chevrolet Lumina APV</span> Motor vehicle

The Chevrolet Lumina APV is a minivan that was produced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors. The first front-wheel drive minivan sold by Chevrolet, the Lumina APV was sold in a single generation from the 1990 to 1996 model years. Marketed alongside the Pontiac Trans Sport and Oldsmobile Silhouette, the Lumina APV competed against the Dodge Grand Caravan/Plymouth Grand Voyager, the extended-length Ford Aerostar, and the Mazda MPV.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plymouth Prowler</span> Two-seat retro sports car produced by Chrysler

The Plymouth Prowler, later the Chrysler Prowler, is a retro-styled production sports car manufactured and marketed from 1997 to 2002 by DaimlerChrysler, based on the 1993 concept car of the same name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dodge Nitro</span> Motor vehicle

The Dodge Nitro is a compact SUV manufactured and marketed by Dodge for model years 2007-2012 across a single generation — as a close variant of the second-generation Jeep Liberty. Both vehicles use a composite unitized construction integrating the body structure with full-length frame rails.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dodge Charger (2005)</span> American full-size car

The Dodge Charger is a full-size four-door sedan, first introduced at the 2005 North American International Auto Show and built by American automobile manufacturer Stellantis North America, a subsidiary of Stellantis. It is available in rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive drivetrains. The Charger was developed to continue the Dodge Charger line with its muscle car heritage, and replaced the Dodge Intrepid as Dodge's full-size sedan. The seventh generation Charger debuted for the 2011 model year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chrysler ME Four-Twelve</span> Motor vehicle

The ME Four-Twelve is an American high-performance concept car that was engineered, developed and produced by Chrysler in 2004. The name is a combination of the Mid-Engine with Four turbochargers on a Twelve cylinder engine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chrysler Phaeton</span> Motor vehicle

The Chrysler Phaeton was a four-door convertible sedan concept car built by Chrysler in 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW Z9</span>

The BMW Z9 is a four-seat coupe concept car, carbon-fiber skin over an aluminum space frame. It was introduced on September in 1999 at the Frankfurt Auto Show. During the 2000 Paris Auto Show a convertible variant of the Z9 was debuted. It was designed by Adrian van Hooydonk under manage of Chris Bangle, who was promoted to Director of BMW Group Design. Much of the styling found on E63 6 series is derived from the Z9.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maserati GranTurismo</span> Motor vehicle

The Maserati GranTurismo and GranCabrio are a series of grand tourers produced by the Italian manufacturer Maserati, succeeding the Maserati Coupé and Spyder. The first generation GranTurismo (M145) was introduced at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show and was produced from 2007 to December 2019. It set a record for the fastest development of a car, going from design to production in just nine months. The model featured a 4.2-litre V8 engine initially, which was later upgraded to a 4.7-liter engine in the GranTurismo S variant. The GranTurismo MC, a racing version developed for the FIA GT4 European Cup, and the GranTurismo MC Sport Line, a customisation programme, were also part of the lineup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dodge Viper</span> Sports car produced by Dodge

The Dodge Viper is a sports car that was manufactured by Dodge, a division of American car manufacturer FCA US LLC from 1992 until 2017, having taken a brief hiatus in 2007, and from 2010 to 2012. Production of the two-seat sports car began at New Mack Assembly Plant in 1991 and moved to Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in October 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dodge Venom</span> Motor vehicle

The Dodge Venom was a concept car that was produced in 1994 by the American automaker Dodge. The car was built on a modified version of the Chrysler PL platform that was used in the Dodge Neon. The car was designed to showcase Dodge's Cab-Forward design in a two-seat sports car package. Although based on the Neon, the upgraded V6 engine and rear wheel drive set gave this car a sports appeal. The car featured a 3.5-liter, overhead-cam, 24-valve V6 engine that was able to put out 245 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque at 2,800 rpm. It was debuted along with two other concept cars on January 3, 1994. The car was projected to cost $8,975, $13,000 "fully loaded".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dodge Dart (PF)</span> Motor vehicle

The Dodge Dart is a front-engine, front-wheel drive, four-door compact sedan that was manufactured and marketed by then FCA US LLC, a subsidiary of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. The automobile made its debut at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. In some non-US markets, the Dodge Dart is sold as the Fiat Viaggio.

The DodgeSRT Tomahawk Vision Gran Turismo is a fictional concept car created by Street & Racing Technology, a sub-division of Stellantis North America. It was developed as part of the Vision Gran Turismo project, where real-life automakers partner with video game developer Polyphony Digital to create car models for their Gran Turismo driving simulation series. The vehicle was released as downloadable content for Gran Turismo 6 in 2015. While the car's advanced design makes it impossible to functionally create with 2015 technology, the company has discussed creating it a few decades in the future, when technology has caught up with the car's design.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dodge Tomahawk</span> Concept vehicle

The Dodge Tomahawk is a non-street legal vehicle introduced in 2003 by Dodge at the North American International Auto Show, initially as a one-off concept, and then later that year as a limited production vehicle when DaimlerChrysler announced they would sell hand-built reproductions on order. The Tomahawk attracted significant press and industry attention for its striking design, its outsize-displacement, 10-cylinder car engine, and its four close-coupled wheels, which give it a motorcycle-like appearance. Experts disagreed on whether it is a true motorcycle. The retro-Art Deco design's central visual element is the 500-horsepower (370 kW), 8.3-litre (510 cu in) V10 SRT10 engine from the Dodge Viper sports car. The Tomahawk's two front and two rear wheels are sprung independently, which would allow it to lean into corners and countersteer like a motorcycle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chrysler minivans (NS)</span> Motor vehicle

The third-generation Chrysler minivans are a series of passenger minivans that were marketed by the Chrysler Corporation from the 1996 to 2000 model years. The first ground-up redesign of the model lines since their introduction, designers added a further degree of divisional identity between the Plymouth Voyager, Dodge Caravan, and Chrysler Town & Country. In a notable change, the cargo van was discontinued, with all examples sold as passenger vans. Coinciding with the retirement of the Plymouth brand during 2001, this is the final generation marketed as the Plymouth Voyager.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dodge Viper (VX I)</span> Motor vehicle

The Dodge Viper (VX I) (marketed as SRT Viper in 2013 and 2014) is the fifth and final generation of the Viper sports car. Introduced in the 2013 model year, the car was entirely redesigned and included features such as an anti-lock braking system, electronic stability control and traction control that made the car compatible to modern vehicle safety standards. The discontinuation of production of the VX I in August 2017 marked the culmination of the Viper sports car.

References

  1. "1997 Dodge Copperhead Concept". www.fantasycars.com. Retrieved 30 November 2012.
  2. "Comparison: Dodge Copperhead Concept Vs. 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T SE". www.motortrend.com. Retrieved 30 November 2012.
  3. "Dodge Copperhead Concept". www.redlinedodge.com. Retrieved 30 November 2012.
  4. 1 2 "1997 Dodge Copperhead". www.supercars.net. Retrieved 30 November 2012.
  5. "Dodge Copperhead – Trends". MotorTrend. Retrieved 2017-04-13.
  6. "1997 Dodge Copperhead". SuperCars.net. Retrieved 2017-04-12.