There is ABSOLUTELY no way that a Chrysler branded car with an automatic transmission would ever be considered by DCX as a Viper replacement. They have a lot of loyal Viper owners who keep buying Vipers, and now SRT-10 Rams. Don't expect the Viper to be killed off anytime soon.

The reason the Firepower makes sense, as others have said, is that the platform (Viper) and powertrain (300C/Magnum SRT-8) have already been developed. Also, there is probably room at the Viper plant to produce them, they can handle 3 models there, they used to make the GTS, RT-10, and Prowler simultaneously. As long as people respond well to it, which they seem to have already, this car makes sense. It has sounded like the Crossfire didn't have too long to live for a while, and this is a logical next step. I hope they build the Firepower, it's beautiful and after driving a Magnum RT for a weekend, I can't wait to get behind the wheel of something with a 6.1L HEMI.