The Dodge Viper, in its two previous incarnations, was a love it or hate it kind of sports car; which is probably what Bob Lutz, Chrysler’s president at the time, intended when he green-lighted the project in 1989.
Lutz intended for the first Viper to be a modern-day Shelby Cobra. When the car became available in 1992, it was clear that the “Team Viper” had achieved its objective.
When the second-generation model arrived in 2003, it sported more modern looks and 500HP, 100 more than the original. The hairy-chested character remained intact: the Viper, which subsequently was revised and gained another 100HP, was not for the faint-hearted.
Fast-forward 10 years and the third-generation model that goes under the SRT brand is supposed to be a more polished machine, featuring a higher quality interior and modern-day gadgets including an infotainment system and traction and stability control.
In Edmunds' tests, it accelerated from standstill to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 3.7 seconds and pulled 1.03 g of lateral acceleration in the skid pad.
One could argue that the last thing the Viper probably needed was more horsepower but it got it anyway, with the 8.4-liter V10 putting out 640HP and 600 lb-ft (810Nm) of torque.
Those are the official figures touted by the company. Edmunds decided to find out the true power that heads to the wheels so it strapped a yellow Viper GTS onto a dyno. What it came up with is 558hp and 528 lb-ft (715Nm) of torque.
You can watch the Viper dyno tested in the video after the break and voice your opinion in the comments below.
By Andrew Tsaousis
7 Comments:
Love it or hate it, it's quite the car. Powerful, no doubt. Though I'm not sure about that yellow. Maybe they'll have a sweet dark paint job for the Viper at the Ottawa Auto Show in March. http://autoshowottawa.com/
With all that power, it will still be eaten by a GT-R!
Certainly not a fair comparison, the Viper is badly outdated, crippled by a lack of 21st-century technology, overpriced by $40,000, and handles like shit. Only a poser moron would buy a Viper over GT-R, luckily for Chrysler poser morons compose the bulk of their customer base.
Really! Yeah, the technology isn't up to part with the nissan gtr, but you do realize the 2010 model is faster around the Nurburging than the nissan gtr? So, stop saying retarded things. There are 2012 cars that are not as fast the 2010 viper. You seem smart, but yet very dumb.
Aaron, oh Aaron...
By your rationale, any Porsche (because... well... all porsches, except for the 2013 Turbo, GT3, GT2 and GT2 RS are beaten by GT-Rs) or Ferrari (except for 458, because all other are beaten by GT-Rs) is also for poser morons, because, the GT-R can give the same performance or similar for a fraction of the price.
What is the speed limit in your country? I'm guessing you're from the USA, so you have a 60 MPH limit on highways... I'm guessing that you never took your car to the track or, if you have already taken your car, you do it ocasionally.
I'd rather have the GT-R, because I think it is a technical feat and ESPECIALLY because I don't like th Viper styling. BUT, that is my opinion. Not everyone - thank god - has my opinion.
Also, if it was possible to determine, I would bet that a maximum of 20% supercar owners take their cars to the track. The remaining 80% drive them on normal roads and most of them just cruise around posing. Of these 80%, 30% or 40% are douches or russian douches and they drag race the cars...
Well, if you're not taking it to the track, who gives a damn if they are passed by a GT-R or not. Take a GT-R and take a Viper. Put them in the middle of any street, in any city of the world. Rev both cars and take a look at peoples faces, and see where they are looking. That's what 80% of the supercar owners care about, not technical feat or outdated or "lack of 21st-century technology".
Finally, how many Mclarens MP/12 have you seen? How many 458 Italia have you seen? Which one is the most technically advanced and full of 21st-century technology? I rest my case.
Poor, poor AaronClown. As if he's driven and tested this vehicle and yet he's the de facto authority on said vehicle. And then he berates the "comparison"—comparison to what? Seriously, what a clown who is truly not an enthusiast or he would take this vehicle, and any other enthusiast vehicle on its merits. This car is not even out for final production yet and he knows exactly how it handles and all its technology as if he were part of the Chrysler team and driven it! Demonstrates just how little credence he has...zero.
Please someone explain me simple what they need switched on headlights on a dyno (car has even DRLs)? That's so ridiculous, that I can't even understand...
Post a Comment