Boasting 600 horses, the 8.4-liter 2008 Viper SRT10 will have you slithering from 0-60 in less than four seconds — and that's before making modifications.
The majority of people have an inherent fear of snakes. It doesn't matter if they're garter snakes or anacondas. Trying to work your way up from worms won't work; neither will tying a bunch of socks together. So imagine what the nervous-B.O. people will experience when they come face to face with the ultimate street serpent—the 2008 Dodge SRT10 Viper.
The Dodge Viper is an automobile manufacturer's ultimate halo car. It was initially conceived in late 1988 at Chrysler's Advanced Design Studios. Several months later, then-Chrysler President Bob Lutz was shown a clay model by Chrysler Design's Chief Tom Gale. The concept had its first public showing at the 1989 North American International Auto Show in Detroit and since that time the enthusiasm for its unique design hasn't diminished in the slightest.THE GEN-IV VIPER
The Viper is now in its fourth and strongest generation. The first generation (1992-95) actually debuted in 1991 when two pre-production models served as Indianapolis 500 pace cars. Dodge was forced to substitute it for the Japanese-built Stealth after it received complaints from the United Auto Workers. (By the way, for a grand prize of a bucket of hot air, can you name the driver of the Viper at the 1991 Indianapolis 500 race? I'll give you a hint—he's the creator of the legendary Cobras and his first name is Carroll.) The first production car—an RT/10 Roadster—went on sale in January 1992.
The V-10 engine used on the Viper was originally designed for a truck platform and pumped out 400 horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. of torque. As large as the Viper appeared, it only weighed 3,280 lbs. However, it was devoid of such driver aids as traction control or anti-lock brakes. Furthermore, it suffered a noticeable absence of luxuries and creature comforts. It didn't have door handles and even lacked windows and a roof. A soft-top cover was available, but that was mostly utilized when storing the vehicle. Car and Driver referred to the first-generation Viper as "the world's biggest Fat Boy Harley." In straight-line performance, it could run the quarter-mile in 12.6 seconds at 119 mph and maximum speed was more than 180 mph; 0-60 mph time was 4.6 seconds.The second-generation SR (1996-2002) saw the addition of a coupe, called the GTS. The roof's raised section meant driver and passenger could actually be accommodated while wearing helmets. In 1996, the Viper was chosen again as the Indianapolis 500 pace car. This time, the driver was Viper's "Father," Bob Lutz hisownself. Horsepower of the GTS was bumped up to 450 and some luxuries were added. It also was exported to Europe and rebadged as a Chrysler. In the first six years of production, nearly 10,000 Vipers were sold.
As an indication of increased horsepower, the second-generation Vipers had a 4.0-second 0-60-mph time, 12.2 seconds @118 mph in the quarter-mile, and a top speed of 190+ mph.The third-generation Viper (2003-06) underwent a major redesign in 2003 thanks to DaimlerChrysler's Street and Racing Technology (SRT) group. The Viper SRT10 was heavily restyled with sharp, angled bodywork. Its already-potent engine was made even stronger by enlarging it to 8.3 liters, which put out 500 horsepower and 525 lb.-ft. of torque.
NOT YOUR AVERAGE FAST CAR
And now comes Generation Four—the swiftest product yet from the Viper Den. While the 2008 version still bears a resemblance to the first-generation Viper, exterior changes have kept the vehicle stylistically fresh. If you drive one, be prepared for gawking; the Viper is truly unique. On the back roads from Durham, North Carolina, to Virginia International Raceway, where we put the 2008 Viper through performance tests, the sight of our caravan of new Vipers will be the talk of the hills for decades to come. Driving the Roadster on a beautiful summer's day with the top down will have you singing, "Doot doot do doot doot doot...life's been good to me!" For one all-too-brief period of time, I was the Viper's demographic.First things first. You do not buy a Viper for its enjoyable road manners. The 2008 model has them but it's not particularly fond of using them. The ride is not one you'd find in a luxury sedan but it's surprisingly decent. Just give it some curves to eat occasionally and it will be happy.
The initial clue the Viper is not your average fast car is the instrument panel. The largest gauge in it is the tachometer. A 220-mph speedometer is at the tach's right. It doesn't say 220 mph because Dodge had a surplus of "2s" to use. Along the outside of the instrument panel (IP) is a vertical row of performance gauges and at the bottom of the row is the red engine start button. You also have your choice of bezel finishes.Speaking of performance, the engine for the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 is an 8.4-liter 90-degree V-type, liquid-cooled 10-cylinder blowtorch. As mentioned, the third-generation engine was 8.3 liters. Doesn't sound like much of a difference, does it? Think again! That .1 liter represents a 90-horsepower increase that propels Viper to a 0-60 mph time of less than four seconds and 0-100-0 mph in just over 12 seconds! Try that with your family truckster. By the time you get done with these tests the Viper driver will have had dinner and a movie. Horsepower has been boosted to 600 and torque is an amazing 560 lb.-ft.
The SRT10 Viper sits on polished, forged aluminum 18x10-inch front and huge 19x13-inch rear wheels that are available in three styles: five-spoke, H-spoke, and the all-new Razor wheel with five U-shaped spokes. Tires are Michelin Pilot Sport PS2s. The four-groove tread design provides maximum grip, reduced road noise, and superior handling in both wet and dry conditions.
One of Viper's standout features is its braking system. It has 14-inch brake rotors gripped by Brembo 44/40 dual opposing piston calipers in the front and Brembo 42/38 dual opposing calipers in the rear. An anti-lock braking system prevents lockup during hard braking. I don't know what all this means but I do know that it will take the Viper from 60 mph to 0 mph in less than 100 feet.
I love the Viper's performance and everything associated with it except for one thing—the exhaust tone. It is not evocative of the power the SRT10 Viper can unleash and does the vehicle a disservice. Compared with the throaty roar of a high-performance V-8, the Viper sounds rather tinny in spite of efforts by Viper engineers to improve the sound. Here's a great opportunity for the aftermarket to show 'em how its done.
The interior is roomy for two normal-sized adults, but tight for an out-sized pair. The seat design holds the driver and passenger firmly, even around tight curves. They're set low, so upon entry you tend to fall into them rather than slide across. Needless to say, the Roadster with its top down is the desired welcome mat. I drove several laps around the VIR road course in the Coupe where it's mandatory to wear helmets. I must have looked like a fat torpedo as I entered the Coupe head first and then gyrated myself around so I could sit in the seat, facing the front. Furthermore, I had to hold my head at a slight angle so the helmet wouldn't hit the headliner. I had horrible visions of hitting a serious bump and spending the rest of my life eating Jell-O and oatmeal.
VIPER SPECS
The steering wheel has a nice, solid feel and the gearshift lever is right where you want it. There are actually comfort features like power windows, air conditioning, and a stereo. There are also 36.5 inches of headroom and 42.4 inches of legroom. Seat travel is 7.6 inches and recliner range is 45 degrees.
A dramatic new hood features a larger and more efficient hood scoop for air induction and larger, functional hood louvers to assist in the engine's cooling. You wouldn't think it, but the only body panels shared between the Coupe and Roadster are the front fascia and fenders, hood, and doors. The SRT10 Coupe's hardtop with its "double-bubble" styling makes it torsionally stiffer than the Roadster. The roof and headliner structure offer more room to accommodate a safety cage while maintaining as much headroom as possible. The Coupe also offers increased downforce and high-speed stability with its sloping roofline and deck-lid spoiler. Also, the Coupe has an additional 6.25 cubic feet of trunk space than the Roadster for a total of 14.65 cubic feet. The first-generation Viper's trunk was large enough for the rain cover and little else.
The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 is long, low, and sleek. Wheelbase is 98.8 inches and overall length is 175.6 inches. Ground clearance is 5.125 inches and curb weight is 3,450 lbs. (Coupe) and 3,440 lbs. (Roadster). Width is 75.2 inches and overall height is 47.6 inches.
Safety and security technologies for the 2008 SRT10 include adjustable pedals, advanced multistage front airbags with occupant classification system, BeltAlert, constant force retractors, crumple zones, energy-absorbing steering column, interior head-impact protection, knee bolsters, and tire-pressure monitoring.
What's a vehicle like Viper without some standout colors? For 2008 there are five new exterior colors: Venom Red, Snakeskin Green, Viper Violet, Viper Orange, and Bright Blue (what, not Viper Bright Blue?). There are also four new interior color combinations: black/red, black/blue, black/medium slate, and black/natural skin.
As always, I know you're thinking "I'd probably have to sell the house to be able to afford something as cool as the Viper SRT10." Well, that depends on your house. Base price for the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 is $83,145 plus $850 destination charges. There are few options available so there won't be that extra expense to contend with. So, if you're among the Viper's key target audience, you can keep your house and drive the Viper, too.
The Dodge Viper SRT10 is no assembly-line, mass-produced vehicle. All Vipers are hand-built at Chrysler's Connor Avenue Assembly Plant in Detroit. Still scared of snakes? If so, find yourself a nice four-cylinder sedan to drive. The Viper won't be for you.
