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