SRT Viper

The Dodge Viper is a sports car from the American manufacturer Chrysler Group LLC, which has been produced since 1992 ( no production from early 2011 until the end of 2012). The Viper is Chrysler's highest performance model. They are available as a roadster and a coupe.

Originally sold as a "Dodge Viper", it was temporarily available under the name " Chrysler Viper". Introduced in late 2012 third generation is sold as " SRT Viper " brand Street and Racing Technology.

  • 2.1 racing model

Viper RT/10 GTS ( 1992-2002)

Dodge Viper GTS Coupe

The Dodge Viper ( marketed in Europe as the Chrysler Viper ) is a reinterpretation of classic American muscle cars.

The first prototype was tested in December 1989. The debut was in 1991, the use as a pace car for the race of Indianapolis.

In the spring of 1992, finally, the Viper RT/10 came as an open roadster in the sales rooms. Called The closed coupe, Viper GTS, followed in 1993 as a concept car. A special design feature was the double bubble roof contour with two bulges, which facilitated driving with helmets. The performance made ​​the car interesting for amateurs and professional racers. In the U.S., Viper are often used for drag races and drift competitions.

Motor

The engine was reworked by Chrysler with the help of the former subsidiary Lamborghini, made ​​the engine block and cylinder heads made of aluminum and improves performance. The engine distributes its relatively large displacement of eight to ten liters cylinder, which for passenger cars in 1992 was a special feature. Today, there are, for example, from Audi and Lamborghini vehicles also with ten- cylinder engines.

The finished engine delivered 300 kW ( 408 hp ), reached a maximum torque of 664 Nm and was, thanks to the long gear ratios, relatively fuel-efficient: about 11.2 l/100 km for U.S. consumption policy; the actual consumption, however, can be depending on driving style 15-47 liters.

Others

The Viper has a top speed of 264 km / h and experienced drivers can complete the classic quarter mile in 12.9 seconds.

The body was mainly made of fiberglass parts and aluminum. Motor driving the front, back: Typical of American sports car, the design of the Viper is. Dodge deliberately avoided class standard electronic driver assistance systems such as ABS, ESP and traction control. These were also available with an extra payment. Only ABS was offered as standard from 2001.

Among other things, due to the lack of traction control and the ESP is difficult to control the Viper especially in wet conditions, as the car is very prone to oversteer due to the high performance and in particular the high torque.

1995 saw the racing version of the Viper GTS -R, which developed in the following years one of the most successful racing cars of all time.

For the model year 1996, the performance of the eight- liter engine was increased to 421 hp; from mid-1996 came in addition to the RT/10 Roadster Coupé Viper GTS into the program, it was initially available only with white trim in dark blue metallic.

From model year 1998, the ten-cylinder engine delivered 335 kW ( 456 hp ), so the more aerodynamically efficient GTS coupe was up to 295 km / h fast. Also as of 1998 accounted for the " side pipes " to the race model, all variants had a centrally at the rear -fitting double-flow exhaust system.

Published in 1999 as a basic model for the club racing, the Viper ACR ( "American Club Racing" ) with standard roll bar and to 467 hp gebrachtem engine.

As of 2001, ABS was in all civil Viper versions of the standard equipment.

Up to and including 1998 8468 Viper were sold worldwide, of which 1802 GTS. In Europe, they were offered under the brand names Chrysler.

Models in Europe

  • Chrysler Viper RT/10, 290 kW ( 394 hp )
  • Chrysler Viper GTS, 282 kW ( 384 hp )
  • Chrysler Viper GTS, 335 kW ( 456 hp )

Specifications

  • Engine: Liquid-cooled V10 four-stroke petrol engine
  • Bore × stroke: 101.6 x 98.6 mm
  • Displacement: 7990 cm ³
  • Power: 335 kW ( 456 hp )
  • Transmission: Six -speed manual transmission, rear wheel drive
  • Chassis: Steel tube frame with main and side members
  • Suspension: Independent front suspension, with coil springs; Rear suspension Independent suspension
  • Brakes: disc brakes
  • Body: fiberglass reinforced plastic

Viper SRT10 ( 2003-2010 )

Dodge Viper SRT-10 Roadster

In 2003, DaimlerChrysler under the label of Street and Racing Technology (SRT ) a redesigned version before, the Viper SRT10. The engine was enlarged to 8.3 liters, increasing the rated power to 372 kW ( 506 hp) and maximum torque of 711 Nm. Thus, it reaches a top speed of 306 km / h From this version were Chrysler Germany only 188 copies sold (2002-2010), this had no side pipes ( exhaust pipes instead at the rear ), modified headlight illumination, headlamp washers and a km / h speedo to the German Road Traffic Licensing Regulations to. meet The base price was 115,000 euros.

Again, initially was offered only the Roadster, the closed version was unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show 2005. The sale took place from 2006 Viper SRT-10 Coupe. The coupe was wearing the distinctive " Viper stripes " and therefore remembered - and by its proportions - much to the previous GTS. In European markets, the coupe was not officially offered. It is noteworthy that the coupe was built on the existing Roadster chassis. With the new roof structure, the coupe was significantly torsion than the Roadster.

Cockpit

Engine compartment

Also the aerodynamics was carried greater account in the development process. Thus, the Viper SRT-10 Coupe combines high clamping force with high speed stability because of its sloping roofline and its tailgate spoiler. The body of the Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe has in common with the Cabriolet: front spoiler, fender, hood and doors. In addition to the fixed roof and the tailgate, the Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe nor special windscreen surrounds, side windows, rear spoiler, trim and taillights has to offer.

"For us it was important to focus on emotion in the design. The design of the Dodge Viper SRT-10 Coupe should be considered based on the original Viper GTS coupe yet contemporary. The owner of a Dodge Viper SRT10 coupe is often a racing driver, and must already unmistakably bring his vehicle to express when it is idling at a red light. One can say that the new design of the Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe says a lot about its unique character, with the performance of the car is something like the icing on the cake then. "

Since 2008, the Viper had in North America, a 8.4 - liter engine with 447 kW ( 612 hp ), variable valve timing and 760 Nm of torque, it accelerated in 3.7 s to 100 km / h and reaches a top speed of 326 km / h

By the end of 2010, the 8.3 -liter engine with 372 kW remained (506 hp) in the program, then the production of the Viper was adjusted. The successor was unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show in January 2012.

Racing model

The Viper SRT-10 Competition Coupe is not approved for road traffic. Unlike its predecessor from the GT2 class, the vehicle was developed according to the guidelines of the Group GT3, therefore, the engine power is only slightly higher than the production model. However, the weight was reduced by omitting all irrelevant for race comfort equipment 1315 kg. It is equipped with a roll cage, special fuel tank and lightweight bucket seats. The Competition Coupe is used by various race teams, among others, in the FIA ​​GT3 European Championship.

SRT Viper (since 2012)

In April 2012, the new Viper celebrated at the New York Auto Show world premiere. However, the third generation will be run either as a Dodge or Chrysler as, but under the sports label SRT from the tape.

The end of 2012 came the new Viper to the U.S. dealers. The vehicle was developed in Auburn Hills, but also Ferrari and Maserati were involved in the development.

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Trivia

  • Until 1995, the cars were delivered with side-mounted exhaust tailpipes. The last 300 copies in 1995 were marked as load Side Exhaust in front passenger footwell and the hood.
  • In the U.S. version of the Viper SRT-10 also has side pipes. Since Sidepipes in Europe were partially approved, all specimens for the European market were individually converted in Bottrop at Startech. The models from 2006 were again delivered with side pipes, as Chrysler received a special permit.
  • On the chassis of the Viper based also some other sports cars from Chrysler, but they remained far all in the prototype stage. These include the Chrysler Firepower and the Dodge Copperhead. Former had next to a completely revised design instead of the V10 engine the well-known 6.1 - liter Hemi V8 under the hood. The Copperhead (also known as Dodge Concept Car ) was equipped with a six-cylinder engine and was in contrast to the Firepower provided as a convertible. However, a series production did not follow, both remained pure show cars.
  • The Viper is also represented in video games. Among other things, it shows up in the Need for Speed ​​series. Similarly, on the packaging of the racing game NICE 2 a viper in the classic blue / white design shown.
  • In the television series Viper Dodge Viper RT/10 one is the focus. In later seasons was from a RT/10 Viper GTS after the RT/10 was destroyed.
  • The team Mintgen Motorsport Mayen sets 2011 in the ADAC GT Masters race series a Dodge Viper Competition Coupe GT3 one. The racing version was supplemented by a self-developed upgrade kit.

Swell

  • Flammang, James M / Kowalke, Ron. Standard Catalog of American Cars 1976-1999, Krause Publications, Iola, 1999, ISBN 0-87341-755-0
  • Robert Genat: 50 years of muscle cars. Chrysler Dodge Plymouth, Heel Verlag, King Winter, 2005, ISBN 3-89880-490-9
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