Viper SRT – Automobiles Review

2015 Dodge Viper Gets More Horsepower and $15k Price Drop

Good news for all 2015 Dodge Viper future buyers: the new starting price of the MY 2015 model is $15,000 USD less than the 2014 model it replaces. In addition, Dodge is giving the snake more horsepower and improved fuel economy. The new model year version of the Viper SRT will produce 645 horsepower (474 kW) and get up to 20 miles per gallon.

Dodge launched the original 1992 Dodge Viper priced at $50,700 USD, which adjusted for inflation equates to $86,130 in today’s dollars. This is even more compared to the price tag for the MY2015 Viper (see below). The first generation model 400 horsepower (294 kW), it didn’t have air conditioning, anti-lock brakes, traction control, stability control or … even have real windows. This made it the rawest American performance car of its time.

On the contrary, the fifth generation Viper, which maintains the purity of the original car through its seductive design, perfect weight balance and all-aluminum V10, adds 245 horsepower and five-mode ESC, two-mode suspension, ABS, traction control, launch control and a lightweight carbon fiber, magnesium and aluminum structure.

Furthermore, Dodge is also introducing various product enhancements, new packages and new colors for the 2015 Viper. The SRT is getting new accent stitching on the seats and instrument panel as well as Alcantara accents on the doors and instrument panel, and ‘Viper’ badged aluminum sill plates.

In addition, the GT now comes enhanced with Nappa leather seats with Alcantara inserts, Alcantara accents on the doors and IP, ‘Viper’ badged aluminum sill plates, two-mode suspension, five-mode ESC, ‘GTS’ hood and two-piece StopTech slotted rotors. The GTS Ceramic Blue Special Edition has an exclusive Ceramic Blue exterior color scheme accented by Black stripes.

At last, the TA 2.0 Special Edition is improved via the high-performance Aero Package. 2015 Viper is also getting three new exterior paint colors: Y’Orange, Stryker Orange and Stryker Purple.

The production of 2015 Dodge Vipers will begin in the second half of the fourth quarter of 2014. The cars will be arriving in dealerships in the first quarter of 2015 with a starting price of $84,995 USD.

Source: Dodge

September 9, 2014

The Dodge Viper, Then and Now

In February 1998, Chrysler Chairman Bob Lutz asked Tom Gale, Chrysler Chief Design Engineer, to make a mockup of “a modern day Cobra performance car”. Gale with years of experience at Chrysler went to work. Later that year, the fleshed out design was presented to Lutz who immediate asked that it go forward as a working concept car. Metalcrafters in Fountain Valley, CA was chosen to product the sheet metal and chassis was Chrysler-based. The car was presented at the 1989 North American International Auto Show and public reaction was so enthusiastic that Chief Engineer Roy Sjoberg was directed to immediately develop it as a production vehicle.

Sjoberg selected 85 engineers to be on “Team Viper,” with development beginning in March 1989. The team asked the then-Chrysler subsidiary Lamborghini to cast a prototype aluminum block based on Dodge‘s V10 truck engine for sports car use in May. The production body was completed in the fall, with a chassis prototype running in December. Though a V8 engine was first used in the first test vehicle, the V10, which the production car was meant to use, was ready in February 1990. Official approval for the car came in May 1990 from Chrysler chairman Lee Iacocca. One year later, Carroll Shelby piloted a pre-production car as the pace vehicle in the Indianapolis 500 race. In November 1991, the car was released to reviewers with first retail shipments beginning in January 1992.

Since 1992, the Dodge Viper has had four long generations lasting until 2010. There were actually no 2010 models, only extended 2009 models, and 2011 saw zero production Vipers at all. In 2012, the Viper returned under the SRT brand and arrived with a redesigned body and a slightly larger engine. Enlarged to displace 8.4 liters, the V-10 powerplant delivered 640 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque, a figure that remained unchanged until 2014.

Heading into 2015, the SRT and Dodge brands have again become one, allowing the Dodge Viper SRT to return. Aside from switching the SRT badge with a Dodge logo, exterior changes for the 2015 model year are mostly about vibrant new colors and new special-edition packages. A GT model that slots between the entry-level Viper and the Viper GTS is also available, but this new model stands out from the regular “snake” by means of chassis settings and interior features.

Modifications are a bit more obvious on the Viper TA 2.0, which is basically an evolution of last year’s track-prepped, Time Attack model. The updated track-capable model comes with a new aerodynamic package, which includes new front dive planes, carbon-fiber front corner splitters, and a revised, larger rear wing. The latter brings significant improvements in terms of downforce, increasing the 2014 model’s 278 pounds at 150 mph to 400 pounds at the same speed. Also brand-new is the Yorange exterior finish – described as “a vibrant mix of bright orange and yellow tones” – which joins the familiar Competition Blue and Venom Black.

Moving over to the GTS model, Dodge is now offering a Ceramic Blue Edition Package. The bundle adds an exclusive Ceramic Blue paint color with black stripes and set of five-spoke Rattler wheels finished in Black Vapor Chrome. The package is rounded off by a GTS sill badge, a Satin Black exhaust bezel, orange brake calipers, and carbon-fiber brake ducts and rear applique. Lastly, both the GT and the GTS models can be ordered in Stryker Purple, an all-new “liquid mercury” color for the 2015 model year. The exterior stripe color packages have been enhanced as well, and now include Adrenaline Red.

Courtesy of: Central Avenue Chrysler Jeep

September 4, 2014

Riley Technologies Dodge Viper GT3-R Continues Preparation For 2014

When the United SportsCar Racing (USCR) season opens in January, Riley Technologies and racer Ben Keating will debut the Dodge Viper GT3-R. The vehicle was built as the first mass-produced GT3-based car designed and manufactured by Chrysler Group’s Street and Racing Technology (SRT).
The first one to purchase the SRT Viper GT3-R was Keating and he also wishes to compete full-time in the USCR’s GT Daytona Class in 2014. He will manage a team next to the vice-president of Riley Technologies – Bill Riley. The racing car will carry the number 33.

In fact, the last Viper GT3 car was officially unveiled in 2005 and went on to win two GT3 championships and a World Challenge GT title. Back then the car was based on the GTS-R program, which dates back to 1996.
Currently the team prepares for the first official USCR test in November, while the first time that a car will be put on track will be in October. A public debut of the car is expected at the USCR official test in November.

Riley Technologies is looking forward to building several Viper GT3-Rs over the next several months.

Source: Dodge

September 18, 2013

2013 Dodge Viper will take part in 2012 American Le Mans Series

It has been less than one week since Chrysler Group announced the release of the all new two models of 2013 Dodge Viper SRT and Viper SRT GTS.

Both models were developed by Street and Racing Technology (SRT®) and can offer nothing less than superb performance and excitement!

In fact this is the fifth generation of the iconic two-seat, American-built supercar. And now we can see its evolution, which can be effortlessly seen in the high-quality work of the designer and engineers, as well as through all of the new technologies and ergonomic improvements included in it.

Now, Dodge is to announce even more exciting news around this emblematic vehicle. All fans of model will be delighted to hear that Chrysler Group also announced that SRT Viper Racing team will return to the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) in 2012.

As many might recall, racing has been an important part of the history of the iconic Viper. It has won a lot of wins on the track, but also this led to the improvement and continuation of the development of street cars. And as a matter of fact 2013 Dodge Viper SRT is a result of this evolution.

The new team is preparing for the big event and since the launch if the 2013 Dodge Viper SRT GTS-R model they do disclose their overall excitement. However, the introduction of the SRT GTS-R would not be announced until the racing.
And in addition, what has also been revealed is that Chrysler Group is planning to have two identical Viper SRT GTS-Rs competing in the production-based GT class in the American Le Mans Series this year.

Source: Chrysler

April 9, 2012

2013 Dodge SRT Viper and Viper GTS [video]

Dodge has announced the two new models – SRT® Viper and SRT Viper GTS. Both are developed by Street and Racing Technology (SRT®) and come with superb performance, superior craftsmanship, new technologies and creature comforts.

This is the fifth generation of the iconic two-seat, American-built supercar has been deliberately evolved to incorporate superior craftsmanship, a host of new technologies and ergonomic improvements while respecting its visceral legacy of outright performance.

Some of the highlights include:

All-aluminum, mid-engine 8.4-liter V-10 delivers an estimated 640 horsepower and 600 lb.-ft. of torque – the most torque of any naturally aspirated sports car engine in the world
Chassis enhancements bring 50 percent improvement in torsional stiffness
Triple-digit weight reduction results in Viper best power-to-weight ratio
Standard safety features include electronic multistage stability control, traction control and new 4-channel anti-lock brake system (ABS)
All-new, innovative interior designs set new standards with premium materials, new technologies and superior craftsmanship
All-new carbon-fiber and aluminum skin is sculpted for high-speed stability and a slippery .364 drag coefficient (Cd)
Timeless exterior design incorporates iconic Viper styling cues with a contemporary execution

“After a gut-wrenching period of uncertainty, the Street and Racing Technology brand team is extremely proud that our hand-built in Detroit, flagship supercar is back and ready to take on the performance car world,” commented Ralph Gilles, President and CEO – Street and Racing Technology Brand and Motorsports, Chrysler Group LLC.

“Beyond being the flagship for the new SRT brand, the launch of the 2013 Viper proves that we simply would not let the performance icon of the Chrysler Group die. Willed to live on by a very special group of performance enthusiasts inside the company and across Viper Nation, this SRT team under our new leadership was challenged to not just continue the legendary Viper, but to create a world-class supercar that would showcase the very best we have to offer.”, he added.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWNdzvjqRog

The 2013 SRT Viper is powered by a new 8.4 liter all-aluminum, V-10 overhead-valve engine.

It boasts tra-high flow and lightweight composite intake manifold, high-strength forged pistons, sodium-filled exhaust valves, new catalysts to reduce back pressure and an aluminum flywheel that reduces reciprocating losses. More than 25 lbs has been shaved from the fully dressed engine.

The power is insane – 640HP (471 kW) and 813Nm (600 lb-ft) of torque, which makes it the engine with most torque of any naturally aspirated power unit in the world.

To handle all that power, the manufacturer coupled the beast with Tremec TR6060 6-speed manual transmission that has been improved with a shorter throw shifter, closer gear ratios and a final drive ratio that has been shortened to 3.55 from 3.07.

The 2013 Viper models will be more engaging to drive and top speed is now achieved through 6th gear with maximum engine speed (redline) at 6 200RPM.

The braking system is also solid – 4-piston Brembo brakes with fixed-aluminum calipers, and vented rotors with a diameter of 355 mm by 32 mm, are used at all four corners.

The available SRT Track Package features lightweight and slotted two-piece rotors from StopTech.

The 5-spoke, forged-aluminum “Rattler” wheel design on the 2013 Viper model is available with fully polished (standard), fully painted Hyper Black or fully painted low-gloss black finishes.

The Viper GTS has a split 6-spoke forged-aluminum “Venom” wheel design with three available finishes, including polished face with graphite-painted pockets (standard), fully painted Hyper Black or fully painted low-gloss black.

Available SRT Track Package wheels are ultra-lightweight, track-ready wheels in Hyper Black or matte black finishes.

Source: Dodge

April 4, 2012

2013 Dodge Viper SRT [teaser]

Street & Racing Technology would be teasing the new 2013 Dodge Viper on Facebook, but there is one condition – 10 000 likes before 1st February. It is pretty good advertising for Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge.

Still, the task wasn’t so hard and the page has even more likes, that’s why the teaser was released even earlier. It is hard to say anything about the car, because we can see only several lines, which are most likely from a hand drawn picture, instead of a real car.

The new 2013 Dodge Viper is expected to be at the 2012 New York Auto Show in April. Can’t way too see it’s real shape and more important – the performance characteristics.

Stay tuned!

Source: Chrysler

January 31, 2012

Tag: Viper SRT

2015 Dodge Viper Gets More Horsepower and $15k Price Drop

The Dodge Viper, Then and Now

Riley Technologies Dodge Viper GT3-R Continues Preparation For 2014

2013 Dodge Viper will take part in 2012 American Le Mans Series

2013 Dodge SRT Viper and Viper GTS [video]

2013 Dodge Viper SRT [teaser]