Do these look the same?

I think the 1st and 3rd picture are similar.

The Viper and 599 GTB share some of the same look (from only the side angle IMO) because they are both front mid-engine 2-seater sports cars. So, by definition, they are going to have that "long hood" look.

The side vent of the two cars doesn't look too similar to me. The Viper is going for the big side vent look, ala the F40 open side venting.

And the rear glass area and b-pillar are very different between the cars.

They do both happen to have a low-nose, raised rear stance, but I think that is common on almost every front-engine sports car (e.g. the Corvette).

 

You can also say that it sorta looks like a Vette.
Unfortunately, with all the emphasis on aerodynamics/windtunnel/CAD, it's increasingly difficult for cars to look distinct from one another.
My own opinion, of course, but also frequently expressed by others who tend to favor older designs.

 

+1.

FWIW, Pininfarina did a much, much nicer job on the front end. For some reason every Chrysler has to have a big cheap plastic cross-hair design up there, as if we all really wanted to drive a big pick-up truck but instead got stuck in a Viper.

 

Me too

 

Similar as in front engine two doors with I suspect similar dimensions and four wheels at the corners. Anything else is stretching it.

 

But what if the Viper had flying butresses? I think I saw a picture on here of a vette with them. Perhaps Pininfarina is the avant garde on a new must have feature.

Then they would look alike.





Not.

 

Maybe to an extent but not very much imo.

 

If you look closely, the ferrari is sexier and is better built. The viper looks mass-made and bulky.

 

No need to look closely on this one!!!
Ferrari 599 is ALOT sexier than this American brute.

 

I have no doubt that within the historic, hallowed halls of the celebrated Pinifarina styling studio, birthplace of the most beautiful shapes to ever grace both road and track, there is a looseleaf General Motors design notebook from where ideas are pillaged. See-thru engine covers? Rear buttresses? Hood inlets? Diffusers and active aerodynamics? Yep, all Dodge and Chevy.

 

The general flow of the body appears the same, but the Ferrari looks more refined. It seems like the Ferrari had alot more attention paid to it in every little area of the body than the Viper did. The front end is a good example of this. It's all rounded about the same with a very basic shape. With the Ferrari, there are more lines and each edge appears to have just the right angles of it's creases and curves. It really just looks like where the Viper designers said "that looks good enough" the Ferrari designers would have gone back and tweaked everything a few more times to get everything perfect.

You can get a much better idea of this by seeing the cars in person. Aston Martin is the perfect example. The basic design and shape of the vehicles is simple, but there is so much time spent on perfecting every square inch of the outside that it has a much higher feel of quality in it's design.

 

+10

to preface my reply: by it's definition, a 2-seater sports car with a front engine will have an overall commonality of basic shape. often this is the classic wedge shape with endless variations. i don't have a problem with that.

as well, i do not hate the Viper.

however, i never understood the whole obsession with the Dodge Ram pickup truck front end carryover to an iconic halo sports car such as the Viper. to me the front end of the Viper is among the ugliest i've ever seen carried over from year-to-year with very little change in design. i don't comprehend the insistence that it remain this way.

the 599 is a classy modern Ferrari shape and design that has vintage cues. i only wish Dodge would even just slightly get away from the truck-like front end on it's sports cars.

and no, i don't see much Viper in the Ferrari. the Ferrari is much more subtle and refined as is iconic of Pininfarina even if they lift ideas from other automakers --as all other makers do-- they rip each other off.

 

What I see is a viper that took its side vent from a 456...