The 2013 SRT Viper

The New York Auto Show is this week, and although there are thousands of cars on display, you might not notice because everyone’s talking about the same thing: the new SRT Viper. Sure, it doesn't have a supercharger or a turbocharger but it's still an absolutely breathtaking sight to behold. After a few years hiatus the Viper is back with a vengeance under the SRT name. Let’s dig in to some of the great details that make this car so magnificent.

The new Viper has a brand new exterior design that still pays homage to previous Viper models. An all carbon-fiber hood, roof, decklid, and aluminum door panels not only look great but keep the car as light as possible. The entire body is beautiful and extremely aerodynamic, with a .364 drag coefficient. The hood has been re-designed with a “double-bubble” shape that gives improved headroom to both the driver and passenger while maintaining a low profile. The Viper is equipped of course with dual-function bi-xenon projector headlamps and LED daytime running lamps and turn signals in the classic sinister snake eye configuration. The wheels will be offered in a five-spoke, forged-aluminum “Rattler” design.

The interior is fully leather with accent colors applied to the seats, doors, center console, and stitching. Both seats are high-performance racing seats with lightweight Kevlar/fiberglass shells. For the first time ever, seat height can be adjusted by up to 40mm and seat travel has been expanded by 90mm overall. A new 7-inch, full-color customizable instrument cluster is available for the discerning driver, with Uconnect to access more information, entertainment, and emergency services in-vehicle.

 Under the hood lies a new 8.4L all aluminum V-10 overhead valve engine that delivers 640HP and 600lbs of torque – the most of any naturally aspirated engine in the world. The engine also features a new, ultra-high flow and lightweight composite manifold, high strength forged pistons, sodium-filled exhaust valves, new catalysts to reduce back pressure, and an aluminum flywheel that reduces reciprocating losses. This is paired with an updated Tremec TR6060 6-speed manual trans that has a shorter throw shifter and closer gear ratios.

This amazing piece of work will go into production at the end of 2012 to go on sale as the 2013 model. No word yet on exactly how much it is going to cost, but something tells me that if this is on your 2013 wishlist it’s going to set you back quite a bit. For the rest of us, the drool-worthy extensive photography will have to suffice.

The Dodge Viper is Coming Back....Sorta

Since Viper production was halted approximately a year and a half ago, America has been without a standout muscle car. Stateside muscle car enthusiasts have been as lost as a senior citizen trying to operate a navigation system.   Well, there is now a light at the end of the tunnel.  Dodge just made an announcement that will ease those motor enthusiast worries.  No longer will they feel as directionless as a navigation system missing its SD card.

The Viper is indeed actually coming back, but it will not be a Dodge.  It will be an SRT Product.  This is the second brand since the Fiat takeover that has been splintered off from the Dodge name.  The first was Ram Trucks.  It is an interesting move to separate Dodge, Ram Trucks, and now SRT from each other.  I’m not quite sure what they are trying to accomplish.  It could be a dumb and we could look back in a few years and ask ourselves, “what were they thinking?” or we could look back and think, “what a smart move?” Either way, I am just happy the car that epitomized American muscle in the last decade will be back on the prowl, or should I say, “slithering back on the streets.”  Come on, you knew there was no way I would get through this whole thing without a bad snake joke.

Another great benefit of this announcement is that it will be sending people back to work; 150 people to be exact.  The SRT Viper will be made in the Conner Plant in Detroit, Michigan.  According to Dodge’s press release, the jobs were first offered to current Chrysler hourly employees who previously worked at the plant.  The first Viper is expected to roll out the doors  in late 2012 as 2013 models.