Dodge Viper Car of the Week

...the Dodge Viper proved so popular that orders were taken even before the show had finished.

Surprised by the overwhelming public reaction, Chrysler Corporation – led by Bob Lutz - had to quickly bash together a plan that would turn the show car into a limited production sports car in three years.

In May of the following year after months of testing, Chrysler announced that the V10 Dodge Viper was going ahead.

The back-to-basics, high performance American built sports car began production in May 1992. Since then, over 25,000 Dodge Vipers have been built.

First generation SR (1992-1995)

Although it became available to the public in 1992 as the RT/10 roadster, two pre-production models were ready in 1991 and used as pace cars in the Indianapolis 500 of that year.

The original engine was a concern for some because it was an alloy version of the then-current Dodge V10 truck engine and doubters worried that it was unsuitable for a sportscar. But at the time, Chrysler weren’t prepared to fork out more cash to modify the motor in a vehicle that hadn’t yet proved itself as profitable.

Made with a tubular steel frame and some fibreglass panelling, the two-door roadster was very basic. It had no anti-lock brakes or traction control and parts of the suspension were sourced from another truck, the dodge Dakota pickup.

It became apparent that the major focus was on the Vipers engine, and the numbers were impressive.

Performance
Power: 300kW at 4600rpm and 630Nm at 3600rpm
Transmission: six speed manual
Fuel: 12l/100km(highway), 20l/100km(city)
0-100km/h: 4.6 seconds
Quarter mile: 13.1 seconds
Top speed: 290km/h

Second generation SR (1996-2002)

The family started to grow in 1996 with the introduction of the GTS – again the pace car for the 1996 Indianapolis 500.

Apart from a slightly higher roof to enable the driver and passenger to wear hemets, and a few other small exterior modifications, it looked like a Viper from the outside. But this time Chrysler felt more confident and realised the new model needed

significant reductions in weight and a chassis design to increase stiffness and strength, and to improve aerodynamics.

With the addition of a revised suspension system and a lighter engine, the 27kg lighter coupe substantially increased its grip and speed, inviting comparisons to the Porsche 911 GT2 and the Ferrari 550, although the Viper’s brakes let it down on the track.

Airbags were added to the GTS in 1996 and the RT/10 in 1997. In 1999, 18inch alloy wheels became available and in 2001, ABS was fitted.

In 2002 a limited release of ‘Final Edition’ models were produced – they were all red with two white racing stripes.

It was exported to Europe in 1997 and was sold as a Chrysler until 2003.

The RT/10 was replaced by the SRT-10 in 2003 and the GTS was replaced by the SRT-10 coupe in 2005.

Performance (GTS)
Power: 340kW
Transmission: six speed manual
0-100km/h: 4.0 seconds
Quarter mile: 12.2 seconds
Top speed: 310km/h

Third generation ZB (2003-2006)

In 2003, more weight reductions and power increases for the convertible SRT-10, along with a major exterior design pushed the Dodge Viper to a new level.

The angular shape set it apart visually and an even stiffer and lighter chassis and a more powerful engine made it even faster and stronger.

A Mamba edition with black interior and red stitching was introduced at a cost of around US$3000 but only 200 of these cars were produced.

The SRT-10 coupe – introduced as a 2006 model - looked a lot more like its predecessor and the chassis was untouched but power was again increased.

The fourth generation Viper took a little longer than expected to prepare so the 2006 model ran through 2007.

Performance (SR-10 coupe)
Power: 380kW at 5600rpm and 725Nm at 4200rpm
Transmission: T56 Tremec six speed manual
0-100km/h: 3.94 seconds
Quarter mile: 11.77 seconds
Top speed: 315km/h

Fourth generation ZB (2008-present)

A 510 cubic inch, 8.4 litre V10 engine was introduced in 2008 with the latest of the Dodge Viper examples. Like in the first generation, the engine is once again a major part of the new Dodge Viper.

There are better flowing heads and larger valves and the electric engine controller has ten times more processing power than before.

To a lesser extent the transmission has also been replaced with a unit that now has triple first gear synchronisers that doubles for higher gears, and the exhaust system has been modified.

Performance upgrades including speed-sensing limited slip differential and the removal of run-flat tyres have enabled the Viper to remain flatter while cornering.

Performance (base)
Power: 450kW at 6000rpm and 760Nm at 5600rpm
Transmission: Tremec TR6060 six speed manual
0-100km/h: 3.5 seconds
Quarter mile: 10.92 seconds
Top speed: 325km/h

Variants
Viper GT2
Viper ACR
Mopar Concept Coupe
Firepower
Copperhead