Discover the power of American Viper cars
 

Welcome to our Viper Archive. Have fun browsing!

 

Article #3: New Viper generation

(Browse for more articles)

 
Second generation models were upgraded the case, the Viper's price would still
bringing increased engine power, an undercut its rivals significantly. The
improved suspension, and reduced braking initial model was a convertible. In 2004,
distances; the 1996 to 2002 Viper GTS had Dodge introduced a limited edition Mamba
a 450 bhp (336 kW) engine, which could package. Mamba edition cars featured
complete the quarter mile 0.7 seconds black interiors, with red stitching and
faster and increased top speed by 35 km/h trim and saw their MSRP price rise by
(22 mph) or so. roughly $3000. 200 Mambas were produced.
Along with the updated performance came The new Viper SRT-10 Coupe (no longer
the inclusion of some of the "luxuries" called the GTS, but still referred to as,
the car did without before. Dual front by many enthusiast) was introduced in
airbags were added to the vehicle's 2005 at the Detroit Auto Show as a 2006
safety equipment list in 1997 as mandated model. It shares many of its body panels
by the government. with the convertible but takes its side
A coupe model called the GTS was also and rear styling cues from the
introduced in 1996. The roof featured Competition Coupe (see below). The new
slightly raised sections above the seats coupe looks much like the previous Viper
to accommodate usage of helmets, a GTS and retains the "double-bubble" roof
throwback to its intended purpose. shape of the original, along with the
Indeed, the Viper's performance has made original GTS's taillights as well
the vehicle popular for both amateur and offering the original Viper Blue paint
professional racers. Vipers can be seen scheme with white stripes (referred to as
participating often in drag racing, road GTS Blue) for an added homage to the
racing and drifting. The GTS, like its original Viper coupe. The engine was also
predecessor, was chosen as the pace car certified by the SAE to produce 510 hp
for the 1996 Indianapolis 500. and 535 lb/ft of torque. It is important
In 1997, Dodge contracted French racing to note that the engine makes the same
team Oreca to build a racing version of power as before, only the numerical value
the Viper known as the GTS-R in the FIA of the power was changed. Unlike the
GT Championship's GT2 category. Using original coupe, the chassis was not
this car, Oreca was mostly victorious in modified. This made the new coupe heavier
the series through 2002 (the last two than the convertible, and thus slightly
with Larbre Competition). The car also slower in low speed acceleration.
won its class in the Le Mans 24 Hours Handling and high speed performance were
from 1998 to 2000 and took an overall win improved by the coupe's stiffer frame,
at the 24 Hours of Daytona. Dodge would reduced drag, and increased downforce.
celebrate by releasing a special edition It has been confirmed officially that the
model with the winning car's livery. 2008 Viper will get a 90hp bump up to
In the first six years of production 600hp and a 25lbft torque bump up to
almost 10,000 Vipers were sold. The 560lb-ft from a displacement increased up
second generation Vipers were exported to to 8.4 liters (510ci/8354cc), better
Europe, where they were sold as flowing heads with larger valves and dual
Chryslers. throttle bodies. The development of the
Minor evolutionary changes including new engine was done with help from McLaren
18" diameter wheels were introduced in Cars and Ricardo. Changes outside of the
the 1998 model. Subsequent versions powerplant are minimal, but still
featured light-weight hypereutectic influential. The T56 transmission has
pistons and an improved exhaust system. been replaced with the new Tremec TR6060,
1999 saw the introduction of the Cognac and a revised shifter has been paired
Connolly interior package. Continuing the with the new gearbox. Shifts are claimed
refinements, an ABS system was introduced to be 18% quicker (faster than the
in 2001. In 2002, the end of second Corvette Z06). The Dana M44-4 rear axle
generation production was celebrated with from the 2003 model now has a GKNVisco
the release of 360 commemorative "Final differential that greatly help the tires
Edition" models. These models were in getting grip under acceleration. One
painted red with white stripes, paying last performance upgrade was the removal
tribute to the famous race-winning Oreca of run-flat tires; the new tires remove
cars. most of the minor flaws of the early gen
Performance (GTS): III models and should give the Viper
0-60: 4.0 sec. nearly unmatched handling on any circuit.
0-100: 8.6 sec. Another notable change is the reworking
quarter mile: 12.2 sec @ 118 mph of the exhaust system, previous third
top speed: 190+ mph generation Vipers had their exhaust
slalom: 71.3 mph crossover under the seats which resulted
skidpad average g: .98 in a large amount of heat going into the
The Dodge Viper underwent a major cockpit, this was done initially to help
redesign in 2003, courtesy of improve the cars exhaust note, since the
DaimlerChrysler's Street and Racing first 2 generations of Viper, which had
Technology (SRT) group. The new Viper no crossover, were criticised for their
SRT-10 was heavily restyled with sharp, lackluster exhaust notes. For 2008, the
angled bodywork. The engine was enlarged Viper exhaust will utilize a new exhaust
to 8.3 L which, with other upgrades, system with no crossover, reducing the
combined to increased output to 505 hp heat that enters the cockpit, but still
(375 kW) and 525 ft·lbf (711 N·m) of produces an exotic sound[1].
torque. The chassis was also improved. It The third generation Viper has been sold
became more rigid and weighed in Europe since 2004, the first model to
approximately 80 lbs less than the part of Chrysler's new sales strategy for
previous model. An even better chassis the European market. Although referred to
and engine were planned for the car, but as a "Viper", it is sold as the "Dodge
Chrysler feared that the Viper's price SRT-10", as the Viper name is a
would reach $100,000. Even if that were registered trademark in the UK






1- A- B- 2- 3- 4- 5- 6- 7- 8- 9- 10- 11- 12- 13- 14- 15- 16- 17- 18- 19- 20- 21- 22- 23- 24- 25- 26- 27- 28- 29- 30- 31- 32- 33- 34- 35- 36- 37- 38- 39- 40- 41- 42- 43- 44- 45- 46- 47- 48- 49- 50- 51- 52-