The Dodge Viper has always been about raw power, drama, and intimidation, nothing more. But a new digital concept by 3D car designer Sebastian Simonsson reimagines an American supercar in a way no one saw coming. A first-generation Viper has been transformed into a sleek shooting brake using a mix of traditional sketching and AI-assisted rendering, and somehow, it works far better than anyone expected. While AI played a role in shaping the final visuals, and we also acknowledge AI-created images aren’t necessarily art, the concept itself stems from a clear human vision.
A Two-Door Viper Wagon That Somehow Works
Instagram @mr.simonsson
Shooting brakes are almost extinct nowadays, with basically just the CLA Shooting Brake left – but even that’s a stretch on the definition. Regardless, shooting brakes have become some of the most desirable cars in history, from the Aston Martin Vanquish to the Ferrari FF and Volvo P1800 ES. On paper, turning a Dodge Viper into one sounds awkward at best.
Yet, it turned out exquisite. Its extended roofline flows cleanly into the rear, giving the Viper a more practical silhouette without losing its muscular stance. And it retains everything that made us love the SRI Viper, from the three-spoke wheels to the vents in front of the doors, lack of door handles, side-exit exhaust tips, and hopefully its 8.0-liter V10 engine. Overall, thanks to its extended rear, dare we say, it looks more balanced than the standard Viper. Considering how valuable classic Vipers have become in today’s collector market, finding a donor car would be difficult, but not impossible.
The Designer and Controversial Use of AI
Instagram @mr.simonsson
Sebastian Simonsson is not just another guy with a ChatGPT Pro subscription who posts non-stop designs. He has spent more than two decades in the automotive industry, working in high-end visualisation and marketing for brands such as Koenigsegg, along with several performance-focused projects across Europe. Speaking to Motor1, Simonsson explained that the project began with hand-drawn sketches before AI was used to refine the final images. The design itself, including the proportions and styling decisions, remained entirely his. He described his design language as “unmistakably Scandinavian,” and it explains why the Viper shooting brake has such a restrained appearance. Viper and restraint in the same sentence – odd.
Funding Has Already Started
What started as a creative experiment quickly exploded across social media. The Viper shooting brake gathered hundreds of thousands of likes, thousands of shares, and a comment section filled with enthusiasm from car fans and industry insiders alike. Among those who took notice were Formula One world champion Jenson Button and Doug DeMuro’s Cars & Bids account. Most interesting of all, Simonsson has now confirmed in the comments that funding has already started to turn the concept into a real, physical car.
Instagram @mr.simonsson
Simonsson told Motor1 that individuals with thorough racing backgrounds, including some with firsthand experience working with the Viper platform, are involved in making the “Shooting Snake” a reality. While no timelines have been shared yet, the fact that the ball has begun to roll shows just how powerful social media can be. If this project is a success, it could spark renewed interest in shooting brakes altogether. After all, we have already seen exciting digital concepts like the Toyota GR GT shooting brake capture attention online. With creativity like this gaining traction, perhaps more brands will finally bring this beautiful body style back in a meaningful way, even if they’re only one-off models.
