Finally, the new generation of Dodge Viper is unveiled. And as we’ve said time and again, it’s not a Dodge anymore. It’s being launched under the new SRT performance brand. Whatever you want to call it, this is an amazing car. The 2013 SRT Viper will come in two normal and GTS models. Both are powered by an 8.4 liter V10 engine developing 640 hp and 600 lb-ft of torque.
It’s amazing how SRT convinced Chrysler’s top brass to let them keep the gas-guzzling V10, and even more amazing is where they’ve put it. The new Viper is a mid-engined supercar! It’s actually mounted behind the front axle. Still it results in a 49/51 ratio of distribution for the car’s 3,320 pounds weight.
That in combination with the driver selectable two-mode suspension system, featuring Bilstein DampTronic Select shock absorbers with both street and track settings (standard on GTS models) and the electronic stability system which is used for the first time in a Viper, and Brembo brakes, will result in new handling characteristics unknown to traditional Viper drivers. It should go like a high-end European spots car.
The Viper has a top speed of 205 mph, and comes with a proper six-speed manual. In this world of double-clutch flappy paddle nonsense, it’s an utter joy to drive a 640 hp car with manual gearbox.
2013 Viper also features an all-new look. The only thing it inherits from the old model is the windshield, other than the rest of the carbon and aluminum body panels are new. The profile of the car is inspired by the 1996 Viper. The car also retains its signature side exhausts.
What some people might not like in the new car is the LED craze. SRT has used 21 of those in the headlights, and 51 in the taillights!
The interior is also new. Not just in terms of design, you also get much higher quality materials and sophisticated technology like an 8.4-inch touch screen infotainment system with features to record your lap times.
The new Viper is an amazing car. To tell you the truth we were ready to be disappointed with the new model. But no! It’s better than we could imagine. Well done SRT.
Bruno is correct, the new Viper is mid-engined (as were the Mk1 and Mk2). What Crown fails to understand is that mid-engined simply refers to the engine being mounted midship between the front and rear axles. In this case the Viper is in front of the passenger compartment (FM), where the layman typically thinks of mid-engined cars only being where the engine is mounted behind the passenger compartment (RM).
Please refer to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid-engine_design
Wrong!!!!! The viper is not mid-engine
Well, it is, according to the official data the 2013 SRT will be mid-engined.