Skip to main content

The VLF Force 1 is a Viper-powered supercar with a Lamborghini price tag

The major reveals have been dealt with at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show, but we’re not ready to put a bow on the event quite yet.

On Tuesday, American brand VLF Automotive debuted the Force 1 V10, a menacing supercar powered by the 8.4-liter, 10-cylinder heart of the Dodge Viper. The gargantuan powerplant actually makes more juice in the Force 1 — 745 horsepower compared to the Viper’s 645 hp — and it churns out more torque as well with 638 pound-feet. Flat out, VLF says the 3,395-pound coupe will hit 60 mph in 3.0 seconds flat en route to its top speed of 218 mph.

Performance is just one of the Force 1’s selling points though. Behind the car is a star-studded team of auto industry veterans, including Henrik Fisker — a man credited with designing the Aston Martin DB9, BMW Z8, Fisker Karma, and others — as well as former GM chairman Bob Lutz, aerospace manufacturer Gilbert Villarreal, and famed Viper racer Ben Keating. Apparently, Keating’s motorsport experience was vital in calibrating the Force 1’s active suspension, which constantly adjusts to keep its 21-inch wheels on the road.

The car’s credentials come at a steep price, however. Despite its Dodge-sourced chassis and powertrain, the carbon fiber-bodied Force 1 costs a steep $268,500. That’s $31,250 more than a Lamborghini Huracan 610-4 and about $160,000 more than a Viper GTS, but perhaps the car’s leather, suede, and alcantara interior will soothe your sticker shock. If that doesn’t work, check out the champagne saddle mounted between the seats, but you might want to save the bottles for later.

VLF Force 1
Image used with permission by copyright holder

For a (slightly) cheaper option, check out VLF’s Corvette-powered Destino, which runs $229,000.

Ahead of its reveal in Detroit, there was some controversy that the Force 1 would look too similar to the Aston Martin DB10 featured in 007’s Spectre, but in reality the car looks much closer to a Jaguar F-Type with a slew of vents added to the front. The Viper’s influence can be clearly seen at the rear though, most notably with the swooping hatch lid and side-exit exhausts.

Just 50 examples of the Force 1 will be initially produced by VLF, all of which will be available through Ben Keating’s Viper Exchange.

Andrew Hard
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…
You can now lease a Hyundai EV on Amazon—and snag that $7,500 tax credit
amazon autos hyundai evs lease ioniq 6 n line seoul mobility show 2025 mk08

Amazon has changed how we shop for just about everything—from books to furniture to groceries. Now, it’s transforming the way we lease cars. Through Amazon Autos, you can now lease a brand-new Hyundai entirely online—and even better, you’ll qualify for the full $7,500 federal tax credit if you choose an electric model like the Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, or Kona EV.
Here’s why that matters: As of January 2025, Hyundai’s EVs no longer qualify for the tax credit if you buy them outright, due to strict federal rules about battery sourcing and final assembly. But when you lease, the vehicle is technically owned by the leasing company (Hyundai Capital), which allows it to be classified as a “commercial vehicle” under U.S. tax law—making it eligible for the credit. That savings is typically passed on to you in the form of lower lease payments.
With Amazon’s new setup, you can browse Hyundai’s EV inventory, secure financing, trade in your current vehicle, and schedule a pickup—all without leaving the Amazon ecosystem.
It’s available in 68 markets across the U.S., and pricing is fully transparent—no hidden fees or haggling. While Hyundai is so far the only automaker fully participating, more are expected to join over time.
Pioneered by the likes of Tesla, purchasing or leasing vehicles online has been a growing trend since the Covid pandemic.
A 2024 study by iVendi found that 74% of car buyers expect to use some form of online process for their next purchase. In fact, 75% said online buying met or exceeded expectations, with convenience and access to information cited as top reasons. The 2024 EY Mobility Consumer Index echoed this trend, reporting that 25% of consumers now plan to buy their next vehicle online—up from 18% in 2021. Even among those who still prefer to finalize the purchase at a dealership, 87% use online tools for research beforehand.
Meanwhile, Deloitte’s 2025 Global Automotive Consumer Study reveals that while 86% of U.S. consumers still want to test-drive a vehicle in person, digital tools are now a critical part of the buying journey.
Bottom line? Amazon is making it easier than ever to lease an EV and claim that tax credit—without the dealership hassle. If you're ready to plug in, it might be time to add to cart.

Read more
Gemini AI coming to cars as Android Automotive update suggests it’s due soon
The 6.8-inch Pioneer digital media receiver installed in a vehicle's dashboard.

Google appears to be getting ready to sends its Gemini AI into cars through an Android Automotive update.

This would make sense as Android Automotive already uses Google's Assistant to help with those much-needed in-car hands-free requests.

Read more
Watch from the passenger seat as the new Porsche 911 GT3 sets a record at the Nürburgring
911 GT3 with Weissach Package (Manual Transmission), Nürburgring Nordschleife 2025, Porsche AG

If you've ever wanted to race at top speeds around one of the most iconic racetracks in the world, then now is your chance. A new Porsche 911 GT3 just set a record for the fastest time around the Nürburgring in a road car with a manual transmission, knocking almost 10 seconds off the previous best time. And Porsche has released a video of the run filmed from the cockpit, so you can experience the thrills for yourself.

The record was set by legendary driver and Porsche brand ambassador Jörg Bergmeister at the wheel of a 911 GT3 with the Weissach package, setting a time of 6:56.294. That's 9.5 seconds ahead of the previous record set by the Dodge Viper ACR in 2017 -- though there's some math involved in these time calculations as the track was reconfigured in 2019.

Read more