The Viper was conceived as a historical take on the classic American sports car. The iconic AC Cobra was a source of inspiration, and the final version of the Viper bears this out with its powerful engine, minimalist straightforward design, muscular and aggressive styling, and high performance. Some saw claims to kinship with the Cobra as a marketing exercise, ignoring that Carroll Shelby was heavily involved in the initial design of the Viper, and subsequent design of the Viper GTS coupe. Notably, the later (1996 through 2002) Viper GTS coupe took a few design cues from the Pete Brock designed Shelby Cobra Daytona. Though the proportions seem similar at first glance, the designs are quite unique. Carroll Shelby was key in the development of the RT/10 as well as having a hand in the development of the GTS model.
The Viper was initially conceived in late 1988 at Chrysler's Advanced Design Studios. The following February, Chrysler president Bob Lutz suggested to Tom Gale at Chrysler Design that the company should consider producing a modern Cobra, and a clay model was presented to Lutz a few months later. Produced in sheet metal by Metalcrafters, the car appeared as a concept at the North American International Auto Show in 1989. Public reaction was so enthusiastic, that chief engineer Roy Sjoberg was directed to develop it as a standard production vehicle.
Sjoberg selected 85 engineers to be "Team Viper," with development beginning in March 1989. The team asked the then-Chrysler subsidiary Lamborghini to cast some prototype aluminum blocks 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 was first used in the test mule, the V10, which the production car was meant to use, was ready in February 1990.
Official approval from Chrysler chairman Lee Iacocca came in May 1990. One year later, Carroll Shelby piloted new era detriot tigers caps 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.
First generation RT/10 (19921995)
First Generation Viper RT/10
Production
19921995
Body style(s)
2-door roadster
Engine(s)
7.998?L (488.1?cu?in) V10
400?bhp (298?kW)
465?lbft (630?Nm)
Transmission(s)
6-speed manual
Wheelbase
96.2?in (2,440?mm)
Length
175.1?in (4,450?mm)
Width
75.7?in (1,920?mm)
Height
44.0?in (1,120?mm)
Curb weight
3,284?lb (1,490?kg)
The first prototype was tested in January 1989. It debuted in 1991 with two pre-production models as the pace car for the Indianapolis 500 when Dodge was forced to substitute it in place of the Japanese-built Stealth because of complaints from the United Auto Workers, and went on sale in January 1992 as the RT/10 Roadster.
The centerpiece of the car was its engine. It was based on the Chrysler LA design, which was a truck engine. The original configuration made it too heavy for sports car use, so Lamborghini, then owned by Chrysler Corporation, revamped Dodge's cast-iron block V10 for the Viper by recasting the block and head in aluminum alloy. Some within Chrysler felt the pushrod two-valve design, while adequate for the truck application, was unsuitable for a performance car and suggested a more comprehensive redesign which would have included four valves per cylinder. Chrysler, however, was uncertain about the Viper's production costs and sales potential and so declined to provide the budget for the modification.
The engine weighed 711?lb (323?kg) and produced 400?bhp (300?kW) at 4600?rpm and 465?lbft (630?Nm) at 3600?rpm, and thanks to the long-gearing allowed by the engine, provided fuel economy at a United States Environmental Protection Agency-rated 12?mpg-US (20?L/100?km; 14?mpg-imp) city and 20?mpg-US (12?L/100?km; 24?mpg-imp) highway. The body was a tubular steel frame with resin transfer molding (RTM) fiberglass panels. Some small bits of the suspension, (tie-rod ends and parts of the front wheel hubs) following the manufacturer's "engine first" mantra, were sourced from the Dodge Dakota pickup. It had a curb weight of 3,284?lb (1,490?kg) and lacked all modern driver aids such as traction control or anti-lock brakes. Car and Driver magazine referred to this generation as "the world's biggest Fat Boy Harley," and likened driving it to "playing ping pong with a Louisville Slugger baseball bat." Despite this, in straight line performance, it completed a quarter mile in 12.6 seconds and had a maximum speed of over 180?mph (290?km/h). Its large tires allowed the car to average close to 1 lateral g in corners, placing it among the elite cars of its day. However, the car proved tricky to drive at high speeds, particularly for the unskilled.
The car was spartan, although it featured inflatable lumbar support and adjustable seats. Along with the absence of exterior door handles, the vehicle lacked side windows and a roof. Although a soft top cover was available, it was designed primarily for indoor vehicle storage. Side curtains of fabric and clear plastic operated by zippers could be inserted into the door and hand-bolted when needed. All of these decisions were made to reduce weight. The battery is located in
Performance
Dodge Viper first generation
0-60?mph (97?km/h): 4.6?sec
0-100?mph (160?km/h): 9.2?sec
quarter mile: 13.1?sec @ 112?mph (180?km/h)
top speed: 164?mph (264?km/h)
700?ft (210?m) slalom: over 66?mph (106?km/h)
skidpad average g: 0.96
Second generation SR (19962002)
Second Generation Viper RT/10, GTS
Production
19962002
Body style(s)
2-door roadster
2-door coupe
Engine(s)
7.998?L (488.1?cu?in) V10 415?bhp (309?kW) (Viper RT/10 1996 - 1997)
450?bhp (336?kW) (Viper GTS and Viper RT/10 from 1998 - 2002)
Transmission(s)
6-speed manual
Wheelbase
96.2?in (2,440?mm)
Length
175.1?in (4,450?mm)?(1996-99 RT/10)
176.4?in (4,480?mm)?(2000-02 RT/10)
176.7?in (4,490?mm)?(GTS)
Width
75.7?in (1,920?mm)
Height
44.0?in (1,120?mm)?(RT/10)
47.0?in (1,190?mm)?(GTS)
A coupe model called the GTS was introduced in 1996. Dubbed "double bubble," the roof featured slightly raised sections above each seat to accommodate usage of helmets, a throwback to its intended purpose. Vipers can be seen participating often in drag racing, road racing and drifting. The GTS, like its predecessor, was chosen as the pace car for the 1996 Indianapolis 500.
Despite its similar outward appearance, the car was distinct enough to be considered a new generation model.[citation needed] Extensive modifications such as a reworked engine with higher power and less weight, an almost completely redesigned chassis that was made 60?lb (27?kg) lighter and 25% stiffer in torsional rigidity through meticulous computer analysis, a thoroughly redesigned suspension, and reduced braking distances; the 1996 to 2002 Viper GTS had a lighter (approximately 650?lb (290?kg)) 450?bhp (340?kW) engine, which could complete the quarter mile in 12.3 seconds, 0.3 seconds and 16?mph (26?km/h) faster than its predecessor, and increased top speed by 11?mph (18?km/h) or so. The revised suspension, stiffer chassis, and aerodynamic body raised lateral grip to 0.98 g (9.6 m/s), although other reports show the 1992 model with 1.0 g. Contemporary tires have improved upon this measure significantly. Slalom runs could often reach or exceed 70?mph (110?km/h). Brakes once again lacked ABS initially, and proved to be the car's weakest point. The brakes hurt the car in numerous comparison tests, such as a 1997 "supercar comparison" by Motor Trend, in which new era detriot tigers caps the Viper GTS placed at the top against cars such as the Ferrari 550, Chevrolet Corvette, Porsche 911, and Honda NSX in all performance exercises except braking. The car not only placed last, but had considerably longer stopping distances than other vehicles. ABS was introduced further into the production run, though braking performance was not necessarily significantly improved. In a Sports Car International comparison conducted in 2002, the Viper ACR (with ABS) was compared to the 911 GT2 at Thunderhill Raceway Park. Both cars were very capable, and quick around the test track, but the Viper proved more difficult to drive, and the braking system was blamed very specifically for the gap in lap times (approximately GT2: 2?minutes, ACR: 2:04) between the two cars.
Along with the updated performance came the inclusion of some of the "luxuries" the car did without before. Dual front airbags were added to the vehicle's safety equipment list in 1996 on the GTS and 1997 on the RT/10 as mandated by the government. The car was also exported to Europe, where it was rebadged as a Chrysler, and sold under this marque from 1997 to 2003. European models had a detuned version of the Viper V10.
In the first six years of production almost 10,000 Vipers were sold. Minor evolutionary changes including new 18" diameter wheels and tires were introduced in the 1999 model. Subsequent versions featured light-weight hypereutectic pistons and an improved exhaust system, side exhaust having been dropped part way through production year 1996 for the RT/10; all production GTS Viper Coupes had rear exit exhaust. 1999 saw the introduction of the Cognac Connolly leather interior package. Continuing the refinements, ABS was introduced in 2001. In 2002, the end of second generation production was celebrated with the release of 360 commemorative "Final Edition" models. These models were painted red with white stripes, paying tribute to the famous race-winning Oreca cars. The RT/10 was replaced by the SRT-10 in 2003 and the GTS was replaced in 2005 by the SRT-10 Coupe.
Performance (GTS)
Dodge Viper second generation
0-60?mph (97?km/h): 4.0?sec
0-100?mph (160?km/h): 8.6?sec[citation needed]
quarter mile: 12.2?sec @ 119?mph (192?km/h)
top speed: 187?mph (301?km/h)
slalom: 73.6?mph (118.4?km/h)
skidpad average acceleration: 1.01 g (9.9?m/s)
Third generation ZB (2003-2006)
Third Generation Viper SRT-10
Also called
Dodge SRT-10 (UK)
Production
20032006
Body style(s)
2-door roadster
2-door coupe
Engine(s)
505?cu?in (8.3?L) V10
500?hp (370?kW) @ 5600?rpm
535?lbft (725?Nm) @ 4200?rpm (SRT-10 Roadster)
510?hp (380?kW) @ 5600?rpm
535?lbft (725?Nm) @ 4200?rpm (SRT-10 Coupe)
Transmission(s)
T56 Tremec 6-speed manual
Wheelbase
98.8?in (2,510?mm)
Length
175.6?in (4,460?mm)
Width
75.7?in (1,920?mm)
Height
47.6?in (1,210?mm)?(coupe)
48.6?in (1,230?mm)?(SRT-10)
48.6?in (1,230?mm)?(convertible)
Curb weight
3,380?lb (1,530?kg)
The Dodge Viper underwent a major redesign in 2003, courtesy of DaimlerChrysler's Street and Racing Technology group. The new Viper SRT-10, which replaced both the GTS and the RT/10 was heavily restyled with sharp, angled bodywork. The engine's displacement was enlarged to 505?cu?in (8.3?L) which, with other upgrades, combined to increase output to 500?bhp (370?kW) and 525?lbft (712?Nm). Along with the power increases, weight was reduced into the 500?lb (230?kg) range. The chassis was also improved. It became more rigid and weighed approximately 80?lb (36?kg) less than the previous model. An even lighter and stronger chassis was planned, but was abandoned because of cost (parts from the planned suspension were used in the Hennessey Viper Venom 1000 Twin Turbo.) The initial model was a convertible. In 2004, Dodge introduced a limited edition Mamba package. Mamba edition cars featured black interiors, with red stitching and trim and saw their MSRP price rise by roughly US$3000. 200 Mambas were produced.
The Viper SRT-10 Coupe was introduced at the 2005 Detroit Auto Show as a 2006 model. It shares many of its body panels with the convertible but takes its side and rear styling from the Competition Coupe. The coupe looks much like the previous Viper GTS and retains the "double-bubble" roof shape of the original along with the original GTS's taillights, as well as offering the original GTS Blue with white stripes paint scheme on the initial run of First Edition cars as an added homage to the original Viper coupe. The engine is SAE certified to produce 510?bhp (380?kW) and 535?lbft (725?Nm). Unlike the original coupe, the chassis was not modified. This makes the coupe heavier than the convertible, and thus slightly slower to accelerate. Handling and high speed performance are improved by the coupe's stiffer frame, reduced drag, and increased downforce.
No 2007 model Vipers were produced. Instead, Chrysler chose to give the 2006 model an extended run while preparing the updated 2008 model.
Performance
Dodge Viper third generation (SRT-10 roadster)
0-60?mph (97?km/h): 3.9?sec
0-100?mph (160?km/h): 8.36?sec
quarter mile: 11.77?sec @ 123.68?mph (199.04?km/h)
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