Exterior
The new SRT Viper offers a brand new exterior design language with aerodynamically functional details that are beautifully integrated into the high-tech carbon fiber and aluminum skin. Changes like an all-new carbon-fiber hood, roof, decklid, and aluminum door panels have helped the car deliver an impressive .364 drag coefficient.
SRT has opted to bring back the classical low-stance and the extreme cab rearward proportions that have become the unmistakable silhouette of the iconic supercar, next to the dramatic fender “gills” – another traditional Viper design cue – that helps extract heat from the engine compartment.
The exterior design continues with the addition of the traditional “double-bubble” roof configuration that maximizes headroom for the driver and passenger while maintaining a low frontal area. Up front, the Viper gets dual-function, bi-xenon projector headlamps that feature light-emitting diode (LED) daytime running lamps and LED turn signals in a sinister “snake eye’ configuration.
At the rear, the Viper has received a new exhaust system with cast aluminum, sill-mounted exhaust bezels. A first for the supercar is the addition of new LED taillamps that integrate stop-and-turn illumination in one element. The car will be offered with a new set of wheels offered in a five-spoke, forged-aluminum “Rattler” wheel design.
The GTS version adds a split six-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.
Interior
The interior has been designed to offer both the driver and the passenger the best driving experience ever. SRT added
superior craftsmanship, premium material appointments, and performance-oriented technologies. The GTS models offers fully leather, and standard accent colors which have been applied to the seats, doors, center console, and stitching.
The new Viper offers standard high-performance racing seats from Sabelt featuring a lightweight Kevlar/fiberglass shell. The seating position is 20 mm lower for more room and enhanced performance-driving ergonomics. Seat travel is extended by 90 mm overall, which enables expanded seating options from a more rearward positioned bulkhead. For the first time, seat height can be adjusted by up to 40 mm – manually on the SRT model and power controlled on the GTS. All these adjustments make the new Viper the most spacious in the history of the nameplate.
The driver can get all the info he needs from a new 7-inch, full-color, customizable instrument cluster display. Both versions will be offered with the new, next generation Uconnect Access in-vehicle connectivity system that provides drivers with access to more information, emergency services, more entertainment, and improved graphics.
Engine
The new SRT Viper is powered by a new 8.4-liter all-aluminum, V-10 overhead-valve engine that delivers a total of 640 HP and 600 lb.-ft. of torque – the most torque of any naturally aspirated engine in the world. The engine features a new, ultra-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.
The Viper has received an updated Tremec TR6060 six-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 3.07 from 3.55.
When Can I Buy One?
The new generation Viper will go into production at the end of 2012 and will go on sale as a 2013 model. Pricing hasn’t been discussed publicly yet, but Gilles did say that “Dodge will be able to sell a small number of Vipers in Europe” and that all Chrysler wants with the new Viper is to make it profitable, and for this “sales volume isn’t important.” All that tells us is that we are looking at a high price tag!
Competition
When the new generation Viper is offered on the market, the list of competitors will be long. Models like the Acura NSX and the next generation Lotus Esprit come to mind as future cars that will try to give the Viper a run for its money.
The new NSX is expected to go on sale as a 2014 model. All we have on the future NSX is based solely on speculations as well, but for now it is rumored to get a new V6 engine that will deliver up to 400 HP. This will be more than enough to sprint the NSX to an impressive speed of 200 mph.
As for the future Lotus Esprit, it will be powered by a 5.0 liter V8 engine that delivers an impressive 620 HP and 720 NM of torque. With a weight of 1450 kilos, the new Esprit will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds and will hit a top speed of 205 mph.
These may be the competitors in the Viper’s category, but a true comparison can only be made once we know what the heck is going on with the 2013 Dodge Viper.
Videos
gallery: 2013 SRT Viper
