Chrysler may be running around like a chicken without a head, but the craziest bird in the roost, the Dodge Viper, is out dancing in the fields. Even while companies worldwide prepare to ransack Chrysler, the Viper sales are unflinchingly continuing. Although Chrysler sales are reportedly down an amazing 32%, Dodge continues to produce and sell Vipers at a rate of 100 units per month. Not just that, but the Viper ACR – that $105k track-prepped super-snake – is all but completely sold out… not so much in spite of the poor economy, but because of it. Chrysler reports that with stock portfolios rapidly losing their value and dollar values plummeting, investors are seeing the Viper ACR as a good investment opportunity due to its potential discontinuation and therefore retaining a high resale value – all with smile inducing dividends, too.

While Cerberus continutes its take-over talks with anyone who will listen, the fiscal viability of the Viper unit is bound to make it an attractive asset for any number of buyers. So while Chrysler may be counting its days, the Viper is likely to live on for some time yet. At least we hope.

Dodge Viper ACR

Bob Nardelli, Chrysler’s Chairman and CEO, stated recently that the company has “been approached by third parties who are interested in exploring future possibilities for Viper.” Apparently, instead of just axing the Viper from Dodge’s lineup, Chrysler is “exploring strategic options” for the Viper brand name. (read: they’re trying to figure out how much money they can get for it.) It’s still unclear what any potential buyer would get, as back in February the company has halted Viper development.

“As the Company evaluates strategic options to maximize core operations and leverage its assets, we have agreed to listen to these parties. We will do so keeping in mind the best interests of those who have shown tremendous support for the vehicle- including employees, suppliers, dealers and a worldwide group of loyal Viper owners and enthusiasts,” Nardelli continued, “Viper is an integral part of this Company’s heritage. While this is a strategic review, our intent would be to offer strong operational and financial support during any potential transaction, in order to ensure a future for the Viper business and perpetuate the legacy of this great vehicle.”

Our question is Why would anyone want to purchase the Viper brand? The current 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 — just a refresh of the 2003 model — is nearing the end of its life cycle. Vehicles like the 2009 Nissan GT-R and 2009 Corvette ZR1 are beginning to claw their way into the Viper’s territory, especially when combined with user friendliness and good road manners. A potential buyer would be receiving a soon-to-be-outdated car, a brand with an image problem and the need to jump-start development on a replacement.

However, to own the car that has just claimed King Of The ‘Ring title from both Nissan & Chevrolet might be a great place to start….

The 2009 Dodge Viper ACR has now claimed the fastest time ever for a production car around the Nürburgring. A lap of 7:22 is just a few seconds quicker than the 7:26.4 lap set by the 2009 Corvette ZR1. Not that it comes as much of a surprise, since the ACR is the most brutal version of the already-unforgiving Viper, whereas the ZR1 has taller gears and is still built for driving well on the road. Nonetheless, the Viper ACR is the new unofficial king of the ‘Ring.

If you’d like to compare its on-board video of the record lap to the ZR1’s video, check it out over at Motor Trend. Looks like Jim Mero may have to head back to Germany and set that faster lap he was talking about. [Motor Trend]

A guy named Ed, who happens to work for Edmunds Inside Line (no relation we’re sure) just got back from driving the amazing 2008 Dodge Viper ACR from L.A. out to the Bonneville Salt Flats for some fun. There, Ed discovered that driving really fast in a straight line is harder than it looks, at least in a twitchy track tuned supercar driven on the salt.What he finds out is that even whether the car is going 170MPH on the salt, or sitting idle in freeway traffic, the Dodge Viper ACR is a beast that demands respect.

While he didn’t quite hit 200 MPH, Ed did manage to discover the invariable truth about driving a Viper: you pay for its speed with hard work.

Check out the Viper ACR in its salty glory.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)  has released their results from sending the all new 2008 Dodge Caravan  into walls and other large obstacles a few times.

The good news for Dodge is that the minivan received top scores of Good in front and side crashes. The bad news is that the rear crash tests came back with a Marginal score, the second lowest possible.

The front and side crash test results are an improvement from the previous-generation Dodge Caravan’s Average scores. The front and side crash tests are the tests that depict the most serious types of accidents. IIHS describes rear crash tests as “an assessment of occupant protection against neck injury in rear impacts at low to moderate speeds. Although such injuries usually aren’t serious, they occur frequently.”

There are Minivans that have actually received IIHS’ Top Safety Pick designation — for Good scores in all 3 tests — include the 2008 Honda Odyssey, 2008 Hyundai Entourage and the 2008 Kia Sedona.

Come on Chrysler/Cerebrus. Let’s see that German aided American Engineering do better than this!

In the latest round of customer surveys conducted by U.S. market research institute J.D. Power, Mercedes-Benz has become the recipient of not 1… not 2… but 3 accolades. Receiving 2 gold awards for the highest vehicle quality in their respective market segments are the E-Class and CLK-Class, while the Platinum Award was bestowed upon Mercedes Benz’s Sindelfingen plant. The Platinum award makes it the assembly facility with the best delivered quality worldwide. Overall, Mercedes improved one place over last year – ranking fourth in overall quality – and it was also the only European brand to win an individual model award.

How does J.D. Power arrive at the results? Market researchers investigate the satisfaction of American customers within the first 90 days of their vehicle purchases, evaluating the quality of both the concept and execution of the purchased vehicle. This year, the opinions of some 80,000 verified owners were tabulated, all of whom owned 2008 model year vehicles.

To learn more about the latest J.D. Power Quality Study as well as how the Mercedes-Benz brand fared, you can find the full details below and at J.D. Power’s Website.

Enjoy.

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Latest J.D. Power Quality Study from the U.S.: Mercedes-Benz receives three awards for best product quality

Stuttgart – Mercedes-Benz is one of the most successful auto brands in this year’s customer survey conducted by U.S. market research institute J.D. Power. The Stuttgart car brand receives two gold awards for the highest vehicle quality in their respective market segments, and is also honoured for the world’s best production plant. This outstanding result is one outcome of the initiative launched by Mercedes-Benz to raise customer satisfaction and product quality.

In conducting the annual study, market researchers investigate the satisfaction of American customers with new vehicle purchases within the first 90 days, and evaluate the quality of both the concept and execution of the vehicle. Overall, Mercedes-Benz moved up one place against last year from fifth to fourth, and is the only vehicle brand with three models (CLK, E and S-Class) within the top ten passenger vehicles.

This year saw the E-Class and the CLK each receive gold J.D. Power Awards. According to the U.S. study, these models are the highest quality vehicles in their market segments. Furthermore, Mercedes’ Sindelfingen plant receives the Platinum Award, making it the assembly facility with the best delivered quality worldwide.

Copyright © 2008, Daimler AG

What makes a proper Road Trip? Do you have to cross political boundaries? Some minimum mileage that must be travelled? Do you have to be gone for days or weeks at a time? No freggin’ clue. But neither do the folks at Kelly Blue Book (KBB) who decided to compile an interesting mix of vehicles to meet the task of a Road Trip – ranging from the obvious choices like the Dodge Grand Caravan to surprises like the spirited Audi S5 and venerable Bugatti Veyron. And there’s even the VW Eos, not a car we’d enjoy to be crammed into for a long journey, but to each their own. The full list and press release below.

KBB.COM NAMES 2008 BEST NEW ROAD TRIP VEHICLES

IRVINE, Calif., May 20, 2008 – The expert editors of Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com (www.kbb.com), the leading provider of new- and used-vehicle information, today announce their picks for Kelley Blue Book’s 2008 Top 10 Best New Road Trip Vehicles. Memorial Day weekend ushers in the beginning of the summer driving season, and record gas prices will play a large role in trip-planning this year. But even with gas prices reaching $4 per gallon, Americans are still expected to hit the road in droves for summer road trips. From the two-person weekend getaway to the full-family excursion, this year’s Best New Road Trip Vehicles list is certain to accommodate any road trip.

In choosing this year’s Best New Road Trip Vehicles, the kbb.com editors evaluated all tangible and intangible attributes that would enhance any long drive, such as driving enjoyment, passenger comfort, cargo space and of course, fuel economy. Because not all road trips are the same, Kelley Blue Book’s 2008 Best New Road Trip Vehicles provide a potential perfect ride or two for every type of driver and every type of journey. Each vehicle offers different perks such as entertainment options, interior accommodations and driving performance to keep road-trippers satisfied. Depending on the type of trip and the number of companions the right vehicle could be a coupe, sedan, crossover, SUV or minivan.

Kbb.com Editorial Comments: 2008 Best New Road Trip Vehicles

Audi S5

Combining a silky 354-horsepower V8 engine, impeccably tuned suspension and quattro all-wheel drive, the Audi S5 delivers high levels of both performance and comfort, along with the elegance to arrive in grand fashion.

Bugatti Veyron

If the price of fuel has impacted your yacht time more than your driving habits, you might find the $1.5-million, 1,001-horsepower, 16-cylinder, quad-turbo, 250-mph Bugatti Veyron an ideal alternative the next time the jet is in the shop. Just keep in mind that at full speed, the Veyron burns through its 26-gallon fuel tank in about 12 minutes.

Chevrolet Malibu

We recently drove six top-selling mid-size sedans in a back-to-back comparison test, and the remarkably quiet and comfortable Chevy Malibu handily outshined the competition on the highway. The first car in the category to combine a flexible six-speed automatic transmission with a gas-sipping four-cylinder engine, the Malibu is capable of an impressive 32 highway miles per gallon.

Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid

While the Tahoe Hybrid’s highway fuel economy rating of 22 mpg is only 2 mpg better than that of its gas-only counterpart (the hybrid’s bigger advantage is in city driving), it’s nevertheless the most fuel-friendly full-size SUV on the road and provides seating for eight, plenty of cargo solutions and the ability to tow your boat to the lake.

Dodge Grand Caravan

They say that getting there is half the fun. In the Dodge Grand Caravan, getting there can easily be all the fun. The Grand Caravan’s wide variety of entertainment options includes multiple DVD players, video game inputs, two overhead video screens, SIRIUS Satellite TV and radio as well as rearward-swiveling second row seats, all helping to transform the once humble minivan into a virtual party on wheels.

Ford Flex

Due in dealerships this summer, Ford’s new full-size, three-row crossover will be turning heads from coast to coast all year, while treating occupants to cold drinks with its class-exclusive refrigerated console.

Infiniti EX35

In addition to a plush, flexible interior, the EX35 offers a Lane Departure Prevention System that can help keep any driver — quite literally — in line. A small camera detects lane markers in front of the vehicle and, when inadvertent lane departure is detected, the system applies a small amount of left or right brake force to nudge the vehicle back on course.

MINI Cooper Clubman

With excellent fuel economy and a fun-loving attitude, the MINI Cooper has earned its way onto our list of top road trip cars for the second year in a row. The new Clubman offers more passenger and luggage space than the standard Cooper, making the largest member of the MINI family an even more ideal long-haul companion.

Toyota Prius

The iconic Prius doesn’t just deliver the best highway mileage of virtually anything on four wheels, it also features a flexible hatchback design and enough interior volume to qualify as a mid-size vehicle.

Volkswagen Eos

The Volkswagen Eos is a sporty coupe that’s also a sexy convertible, thanks to a sleek, sophisticated retractable hardtop. This chameleon also has an exceptionally wide glass sunroof for when you want the open-air experience without getting that wind-swept look.

The full report is here.

Its to our surprise there’s no mention of ANY Mercedes-Benz or BMW…