The Viper-Engined VLF F1 Roadster Has Been Spotted A Week Before Its Launch

After a year of sales success in China, the makers of the VLF F1 coupe have built a mighty soft-top version to show off at next week's Shanghai motor show
The Viper-Engined VLF F1 Roadster Has Been Spotted A Week Before Its Launch

You’re looking at the 745bhp VLF F1 Roadster, caught undisguised in the open the week before its official debut at the Shanghai motor show.

The small-volume soft-top supercar has a Dodge Viper engine under the bonnet, which means a normally-aspirated 8.4-litre V10 bolted to a good ol’ six-speed manual. Nice. Torque is, err, ample, with 638lb ft treating the rear tyres like an electric cheese grater treats a block of cheddar.

The Viper-Engined VLF F1 Roadster Has Been Spotted A Week Before Its Launch

That means performance to shout about, with 0-62mph dispatched in less than three seconds, its makers claim, and a top speed of 210mph. That’s slightly down on the 218mph hard-top version, but do you really care?

VLF, a joint venture between Henrik Fisker, former General Motors vice-chairman Bob Lutz and racing driver Ben Keating, launched the coupe version of the car last year. Since then it has proved especially popular in China.

The Viper-Engined VLF F1 Roadster Has Been Spotted A Week Before Its Launch

We don’t have prices for the Roadster yet, but it’s going to be a healthy amount more expensive than the £215,500-ish hard-top. There’s a lot of competition for that price, but even the McLaren 720S can’t match the sheer brute force of the VLF.

Via: Autocar

Comments

M A K

China’s game is strong, over here they even cancelled the viper 🙁

04/10/2017 - 12:49 |
56 | 1
NPS.

In reply to by M A K

They cancelled the Viper everywhere, not yet maybe, but yes, they did.

04/10/2017 - 13:25 |
6 | 2
Ray Sloan

In reply to by M A K

Knowing China’s intellectual property game that engine probably wasn’t made by dodge.

04/10/2017 - 13:57 |
7 | 3
FLixy Madfox

Am I the only one wondering how it’s going to be made if the viper is out of production? Are they going to use spare chassis or strip down older cars?

04/10/2017 - 12:51 |
15 | 0

Also that is just strikingly beautiful!

04/10/2017 - 12:52 |
4 | 1
V-Tech and EcoBoost kicked in yo

In reply to by FLixy Madfox

You can buy Viper crate engines.

04/10/2017 - 16:28 |
2 | 0

ViperExchange (the dealer Ben Keating races for) has tons of left over Vipers they can use. As not only does the VLF Force1 use the Viper’s engine, it’s actually based on the Viper too.

So simply put, the VLF Force1 is just a rebodied, reskinned Viper.

04/10/2017 - 19:12 |
1 | 0
Anonymous

By the looks of it, this borrows more than the engine from the Viper. Seems like another Dodge in disguise after the “Alfa Romeo” TZ3.

04/10/2017 - 12:57 |
12 | 0
Cody's Car Conundrum

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

You’d be exactly right good sir.

04/10/2017 - 19:13 |
2 | 0
StuttgartMadness

A modern Viper? COUNT ME IN!!!!

04/10/2017 - 13:09 |
3 | 2
Anonymous

Looks similar to a viper as well!!

04/10/2017 - 13:10 |
3 | 0
NOTROX

that’s a nice aston martin.

04/10/2017 - 13:23 |
2 | 1
NPS.

Is this GTA??

04/10/2017 - 13:24 |
11 | 0
Anonymous

I’ve never been in love so much with a Chinese car before
To be honest, I’m impressed. Will they sell some overseas too?

04/10/2017 - 13:34 |
2 | 0
Porschephile

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

It’s not chinese. It’s simply being sold with good results in China.

04/10/2017 - 21:32 |
1 | 0
Anonymous

Rear looks like a Maserati. Front is something between a viper and an SL.

Looks pretty sweet regardless

04/10/2017 - 14:06 |
1 | 1
The Stig's Canadian Cousin 1

Am I the only one who thinks it looks like a Viper and a Miata had a baby?

04/10/2017 - 14:28 |
2 | 1

Nope, personally I think it looks pretty good.

Though the front end is to “Fussy” as Darren Cassey put it.

04/10/2017 - 19:14 |
0 | 0

Just as per my comment.
I am 3450% sure that front bumper somehow has something to do with the ND

04/10/2017 - 20:26 |
0 | 0

and that baby had a baby with an f type

04/11/2017 - 00:02 |
1 | 0

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