dodges new copperhead sports car will start where the viper left off, Speculative rendering created by AutoGuide com Staff using AI toolsSpeculative rendering created by AutoGuide.com Staff using AI toolsDodge's next halo performance car is beginning to emerge from the shadows, and if the early details are accurate, it could become the brand's most ambitious sports coupe since the Viper. Known as the Copperhead SRT, the upcoming two-door is expected to arrive before the end of the decade as a high-performance flagship designed to sit above the Charger and showcase the full might of Dodge's performance division.While Dodge has revealed only a handful of official details, comments from SRT boss Tim Kuniskis, Stellantis product plans, and sightings from private previews are beginning to paint a clearer picture of what enthusiasts can expect.2029 dodge copperhead srt everything we knowWhat Is The Dodge Copperhead?Nobody had really thought about the Dodge Copperhead since the original concept car broke cover in 1997. That was until the new Copperhead SRT appeared publicly as part of Stellantis' long-term product roadmap, where it was shown under a cover alongside another future SRT model. Unlike the Charger Daytona and Charger Sixpack, however, the Copperhead is not intended to be a mass-market muscle car.AdvertisementAdvertisementInstead, it appears destined to become Dodge's range-topping performance machine, reviving a name that dates back nearly 30 years while delivering a very different mission.The original Copperhead debuted as a concept at the 1997 Detroit Auto Show. That lightweight roadster was envisioned as a more affordable companion to the Viper, powered by a modest V6 and aimed at enthusiasts looking for a simple driver's car. It never reached production, but the name stuck in Mopar lore.The new Copperhead SRT takes the opposite approach. Rather than serving as a baby Viper, it looks poised to become Dodge's answer to modern super coupes like the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and Ford Mustang GTD.2029 Dodge Copperhead SRT: Everything We Know (autoguide_com_450)Image: StellantisWhat Platform Will the Dodge Copperhead Use?One of the biggest revelations surrounding the Copperhead came directly from Tim Kuniskis.AdvertisementAdvertisementAfter many assumed the car would simply be a shortened or reworked Charger, Kuniskis confirmed that the Copperhead does not share the Charger's hard points.According to Kuniskis, the proportions and stance shown on the Copperhead would be impossible to achieve using the STLA Large architecture that underpins the Charger. Because that platform was designed to accommodate electric vehicle batteries, it features a higher floor structure than a dedicated sports car would require.That suggests the Copperhead will utilize a different architecture from somewhere within Stellantis' global portfolio, though Dodge has not revealed exactly which one.It's possible, like the Viper, the Copperhead's platform will be highly specialized and unique to the project. The Viper used an aluminum and magnesium spaceframe with bits of carbon fiber mixed in.dodges new copperhead sports car will start where the viper left off, Speculative rendering created by AutoGuide com Staff using AI toolsSpeculative rendering created by AutoGuide.com Staff using AI toolsHow Will The Dodge Copperhead Look?The Copperhead will be a dramatic, low-slung coupe that blends elements of both the modern Charger and the final-generation Viper.AdvertisementAdvertisementFirsthand previews describe a front end that borrows some styling cues from the Charger, including slim LED lighting and an aggressive grille treatment. The rear channels the Viper with a wide stance, muscular haunches, and a track-focused appearance. Even beneath a vehicle cover during Stellantis' product presentation, the power dome reportedly stood out, hinting that something substantial may be hiding underneath.There are also massive brake-cooling ducts, aggressive aerodynamic elements, large exhaust outlets, and a prominent rear wing that suggests the Copperhead is being engineered with track capability in mind.Based on descriptions from those who have seen the car, it appears closer in spirit to a Mustang GTD or Corvette ZR1 than a traditional muscle car.2029 dodge copperhead srt everything we knowWhat Engine Will Power The Copperhead?This remains the biggest mystery.AdvertisementAdvertisementWhat we do know is that the Copperhead will have a combustion engine. Kuniskis has confirmed that much.The obvious candidate would be a supercharged Hemi V8. Stellantis already has experience with the 6.2-liter Hellcat V8, which has produced anywhere from 707 horsepower to more than 1,000 horsepower in various applications.A Hellcat-powered Copperhead would immediately give Dodge a weapon capable of challenging the Corvette Z06 and other high-performance rivals. But Dodge executives have hinted that enthusiasts may be thinking too narrowly, with Kuniskis suggesting the Copperhead could receive something entirely new.That statement has fueled speculation ranging from an evolved Hurricane inline-six to an entirely new performance engine program.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Hurricane twin-turbocharged inline-six already produces up to 550 horsepower in high-output form and has become a cornerstone of Stellantis' future powertrain strategy. Dodge executives have repeatedly emphasized the engine's tuning potential. The company has already hinted that more powerful versions are under development.While a 550-horsepower Hurricane would be impressive, it may not be enough to position the Copperhead as the halo car Dodge appears to be envisioning. That has led many enthusiasts to speculate about a significantly more powerful version or a hybridized performance application.Anything positioned above the Charger and carrying an SRT badge will need serious credentials. If Dodge wants the Copperhead to compete with vehicles like the Corvette Z06, Mustang GTD, and potentially even higher-end European sports cars, horsepower figures exceeding 700 hp seem necessary.A lightweight platform, aggressive aerodynamics, and dedicated sports-car proportions could make the Copperhead one of the most focused performance vehicles Dodge has ever built.2029 dodge copperhead srt everything we knowHow Much Will The Dodge Copperhead Cost?With limited information available, pricing remains speculative.AdvertisementAdvertisementHowever, a starting price of around $100,000 appears realistic given its positioning as a halo performance model. Depending on powertrain choices and performance capabilities, higher trims or special editions could push well beyond that figure, much like the Viper ACR did.2029 dodge copperhead srt everything we knowWhen Will The Dodge Copperhead Arrive?Dodge has not announced an official launch date, but current indications suggest the Copperhead SRT will arrive before 2030. Industry observers expect a reveal sometime within the next few years, potentially as a 2029 model-year vehicle.While many questions remain unanswered, the Dodge Copperhead SRT is already shaping up to be one of the most intriguing performance cars on Stellantis' roadmap. The Copperhead will likely become the spiritual successor enthusiasts have been waiting for since the Viper left production nearly a decade ago.Become an AutoGuide insider. Get the latest from the automotive world first by subscribing to our newsletter here.