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Image credits: © Dodge.
2006 Dodge Viper news, pictures, and information
Handling
The Dodge Viper SRT10 is the kind of car you dreamed about having as a kid. Its low-slung stature bespeaks some of the finest performance characteristics on the road and allows it to handle better than your wildest dreams.- Outstanding structural rigidity provides outrageous handling
- Suspension—lightweight aluminum upper and lower control arms, revised geometry, lightweight aluminum-bodied front and rear coil-over shocks, and front and rear tubular stabilizer bars
- Brakes—huge 14-inch front and rear rotors with Brembo™ four-piston calipers painted red with silver accents and brake cooling ducts, a large reservoir, and optimized ABS tuning
- P275/35ZR18 front and P345/30ZR19 rear high-performance tires with low-pressure sensors in the valve stems help get the power to the ground
Engine and Transmission
To get 510 horsepower, 535 lb-ft of torque, and 505 cubic inches of displacement, the Viper's powerful V10 engine has a large bore cast-aluminum block and a long-stroke crankshaft. It also features a heavy-duty clutch, pressure plate, and flywheel for outstanding performance.
The Tremec T56 six-speed manual transmission is controlled with a short-throw shifter. The exhaust system runs across the car and exits the opposite side, allowing the use of a less restrictive resonator. Finally, the intake manifold boasts shorter runners and a single nonstaged two-barrel throttle body for lower hoodline and higher peak rpm horsepower . See how you can personalize your Viper with Performance Parts from Mopar.
Exterior
Designing a modern American legend is a tall task. But the Dodge Viper SRT10 engineers met the challenge head-on and created a vehicle true to its heritage with cutting-edge design and technology.
- The SRT10 Convertible has a fully convertible clamshell-design top with easy single-latch operation, glass rear window, and tonneau cover
- Reaction injection molded fenders provide lightweight strength
- Aerodynamic shape and underbody design for lower drag coefficient
Cockpit
Viper's cockpit is covered with leather and great-looking chrome accents. Satin chrome is featured on the gearshift lever and knob, gearshift boot trim ring, parking brake release handle, door handles, and release levers.
The instrument panel has a 7,000-rpm center-mounted tachometer, a 220-mph analog speedometer, a center stack with gauges for oil pressure, oil temperature, coolant temperature, and voltage.
Viper SRT10's cockpit features all the push-button controls and race-inspired sports car features you would expect. And then some. The push-button starter fires it up, the wraparound seats keep you in place when turning fast corners, and the adjustable pedals (including a dead pedal) ensure the clutch, brake, and throttle are within easy reach.Source - Dodge
The Dodge Viper legend began with the 1992 Dodge Viper RT/10 Roadster and grew with the introduction in 1996 of the Dodge Viper GTS Coupe.
History is repeating itself.
When the third-generation Dodge Viper made its debut in 2003, it did so in the form of a convertible. For 2006, the Dodge Viper SRT10 debuts in an all-new Coupe form – to the acclaim of 'Viper Nation,' the community of die-hard Viper owners throughout the world.
'Demand for a Dodge Viper Coupe started the day we introduced the Dodge Viper SRT10 Convertible for 2003,' said Dan Knott, Director, Street and Racing Technology (SRT), Chrysler Group. 'The all-new 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe is a natural evolution of the heritage of the Dodge Viper, and gives enthusiasts exactly what they're looking for in the ultimate American sports car.
'Dodge Viper SRT10 customers want to go beyond the level of the regular enthusiast, to the level of outrageous performance,' said Knott. 'Our all-new 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe gives our customers that performance in a stunning new package.'
Dodge Viper SRT10 is about uncompromising performance and stunning looks. With an 8.3-liter 500-horsepower V-10 engine contributing to blistering acceleration (0-60 mph in less than 4 seconds, 0-100-0 mph in the low 12-second range), and a bold appearance marked by Dodge's signature crosshair grille design, deep-cut side scallops, swept-back fenders and lowered hood lines, the Dodge Viper SRT10 Convertible had no equal. Until now.
2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe Exterior
The exterior design of the all-new 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe, with its 'double-bubble' roof and dramatic, unique rear styling with wrap-around taillamps reminiscent of the Viper GTS Coupe, is what sets it apart from its Convertible sibling – and connects it to the Viper heritage.
'It was important for us to sustain the emotion in the design,' said Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President, Design, Chrysler Group. 'We wanted the 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe design to include a nod to the original Viper GTS Coupe, but in a contemporary way.
'The Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe owner is often a racer, and the car has to scream that, even when it's idling at the stoplight,' Creed added. 'The bottom line is that the new Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe's design says a lot about its unique character, and the car's performance is the payoff.'
In many cases, a convertible is derived from a coupe. After the coupe's top is removed, structural reinforcements must be added to regain torsional stiffness lost with the deletion of the roof structure.
In the case of the 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe, the starting point was the Dodge Viper SRT10 Convertible, which has a stout structure to begin with. With the addition of the roof structure, the Viper SRT10 Coupe becomes even more torsionally rigid than the Convertible.
From an aerodynamic standpoint, the all-new 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe is designed for increased downforce and high-speed stability, with a sloping roofline and decklid spoiler.
The only bodywork that the Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe shares with the Convertible is the front fascia and fenders, hood and doors. In addition to the new canopy and decklid, the 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe has a special windshield surround, door side glass, rear fascia, quarter panels and taillights.
The decklid for the Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe was designed for customer convenience as well as structural integrity. The decklid opening is deeply integrated into the rear fascia, which offers a low lift-over height for stowing cargo. Gas struts hold the decklid in place when open; when closed, the decklid is secured with a lock that meets federal regulations for latch safety.
The 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe design also took some of its cues from Dodge Viper's heritage. For example, the Center High-Mounted Stop Light (CHMSL) on the decklid, although all-new for 2006, looks similar to the 'snake-head' design on the Viper GTS of 1996-2002.
The 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe will be available initially in Viper Blue with twin Stone White racing stripes, harkening back to one of the most popular Vipers ever, the 1996 Dodge Viper GTS.
2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe Interior
The form-follows-function strategy continues inside the 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe.
'For helmet clearance, we brought back the ‘double-bubble' roofline from the original Dodge Viper GTS,' said Creed. 'In fact, we began the process by utilizing a mannequin with a helmet to determine the height and shape of the roof.'
Another functional interior feature for the many owners who will take their 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe racing is the roof and headliner structure that offers room to accommodate a safety cage, while maintaining as much headroom as possible.
Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe-unique interior pieces also include various weatherstrip pieces, headliner, carpet and trim panels.
A result of the 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe's configuration is more usable trunk space – 4 cubic feet more than the Viper SRT10 Convertible, for a total of 6.25 cubic feet.
The 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe also features a unique two-tone interior color scheme.
2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe Powertrain
The magic numbers for the Dodge Viper SRT10 are 500/500/500 – representing 500 horsepower, 525 pound-feet of torque and 505 cubic inches of displacement.
An aluminum-block 8.3-liter (505 cu. in.) V-10 engine powers the 2006 Viper SRT10 Coupe, generating 500 horsepower (372 kW) and 525 lb.-ft. (712 N•m) of torque. Ninety percent of the torque is available to the driver across a wide band -- the 1,500-5,600 rpm range.
Transferring the Dodge Viper SRT10's power to the rear wheels is a heavy-duty six-speed manual transmission.
2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe Braking
Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe braking power is defined by Brembo 44/40 dual opposing piston calipers in the front and Brembo 42/38 dual opposing calipers in the rear, gripping four 14-inch rotors. An anti-lock braking system (ABS) prevents lockup during hard braking.
This system results in a world-class braking performance of 60-0 mph in less than 100 feet, and completion of SRT's signature 0-100-0 mph test in the low 12-second range.
2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe Ride and Handling
Handling and ride characteristics for the 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe is derived from a race-bred, four-wheel independent suspension featuring lightweight, high-performance aluminum control arms and knuckles, damped by lightweight coil-over shock absorbers. Power is delivered to the pavement via a Dana 44-4 Hydra-Lok speed-sensing limited-slip differential.
The 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe rides on unique forged aluminum wheels -- 18' x 10' front and 19' x 13' in the rear. Each is clad with a Michelin zero pressure run-flat tire, and each tire includes a low-pressure sensor in the valve stem.
The all-new 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe will be available in Dodge dealerships in the fall of 2005.
The Dodge Viper SRT10 is hand-built at the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in Detroit.Source - DaimlerChrysler
History is repeating itself.
When the third-generation Dodge Viper made its debut in 2003, it did so in the form of a convertible. For 2006, the Dodge Viper SRT10 debuts in an all-new Coupe form – to the acclaim of 'Viper Nation,' the community of die-hard Viper owners throughout the world.
'Demand for a Dodge Viper Coupe started the day we introduced the Dodge Viper SRT10 Convertible for 2003,' said Dan Knott, Director, Street and Racing Technology (SRT), Chrysler Group. 'The all-new 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe is a natural evolution of the heritage of the Dodge Viper, and gives enthusiasts exactly what they're looking for in the ultimate American sports car.
'Dodge Viper SRT10 customers want to go beyond the level of the regular enthusiast, to the level of outrageous performance,' said Knott. 'Our all-new 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe gives our customers that performance in a stunning new package.'
Dodge Viper SRT10 is about uncompromising performance and stunning looks. With an 8.3-liter 500-horsepower V-10 engine contributing to blistering acceleration (0-60 mph in less than 4 seconds, 0-100-0 mph in the low 12-second range), and a bold appearance marked by Dodge's signature crosshair grille design, deep-cut side scallops, swept-back fenders and lowered hood lines, the Dodge Viper SRT10 Convertible had no equal. Until now.
2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe Exterior
The exterior design of the all-new 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe, with its 'double-bubble' roof and dramatic, unique rear styling with wrap-around taillamps reminiscent of the Viper GTS Coupe, is what sets it apart from its Convertible sibling – and connects it to the Viper heritage.
'It was important for us to sustain the emotion in the design,' said Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President, Design, Chrysler Group. 'We wanted the 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe design to include a nod to the original Viper GTS Coupe, but in a contemporary way.
'The Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe owner is often a racer, and the car has to scream that, even when it's idling at the stoplight,' Creed added. 'The bottom line is that the new Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe's design says a lot about its unique character, and the car's performance is the payoff.'
In many cases, a convertible is derived from a coupe. After the coupe's top is removed, structural reinforcements must be added to regain torsional stiffness lost with the deletion of the roof structure.
In the case of the 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe, the starting point was the Dodge Viper SRT10 Convertible, which has a stout structure to begin with. With the addition of the roof structure, the Viper SRT10 Coupe becomes even more torsionally rigid than the Convertible.
From an aerodynamic standpoint, the all-new 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe is designed for increased downforce and high-speed stability, with a sloping roofline and decklid spoiler.
The only bodywork that the Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe shares with the Convertible is the front fascia and fenders, hood and doors. In addition to the new canopy and decklid, the 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe has a special windshield surround, door side glass, rear fascia, quarter panels and taillights.
The decklid for the Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe was designed for customer convenience as well as structural integrity. The decklid opening is deeply integrated into the rear fascia, which offers a low lift-over height for stowing cargo. Gas struts hold the decklid in place when open; when closed, the decklid is secured with a lock that meets federal regulations for latch safety.
The 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe design also took some of its cues from Dodge Viper's heritage. For example, the Center High-Mounted Stop Light (CHMSL) on the decklid, although all-new for 2006, looks similar to the 'snake-head' design on the Viper GTS of 1996-2002.
The 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe will be available initially in Viper Blue with twin Stone White racing stripes, harkening back to one of the most popular Vipers ever, the 1996 Dodge Viper GTS.
2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe Interior
The form-follows-function strategy continues inside the 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe.
'For helmet clearance, we brought back the ‘double-bubble' roofline from the original Dodge Viper GTS,' said Creed. 'In fact, we began the process by utilizing a mannequin with a helmet to determine the height and shape of the roof.'
Another functional interior feature for the many owners who will take their 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe racing is the roof and headliner structure that offers room to accommodate a safety cage, while maintaining as much headroom as possible.
Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe-unique interior pieces also include various weatherstrip pieces, headliner, carpet and trim panels.
A result of the 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe's configuration is more usable trunk space – 4 cubic feet more than the Viper SRT10 Convertible, for a total of 6.25 cubic feet.
The 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe also features a unique two-tone interior color scheme.
2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe Powertrain
The magic numbers for the Dodge Viper SRT10 are 500/500/500 – representing 500 horsepower, 525 pound-feet of torque and 505 cubic inches of displacement.
An aluminum-block 8.3-liter (505 cu. in.) V-10 engine powers the 2006 Viper SRT10 Coupe, generating 500 horsepower (372 kW) and 525 lb.-ft. (712 N•m) of torque. Ninety percent of the torque is available to the driver across a wide band -- the 1,500-5,600 rpm range.
Transferring the Dodge Viper SRT10's power to the rear wheels is a heavy-duty six-speed manual transmission.
2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe Braking
Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe braking power is defined by Brembo 44/40 dual opposing piston calipers in the front and Brembo 42/38 dual opposing calipers in the rear, gripping four 14-inch rotors. An anti-lock braking system (ABS) prevents lockup during hard braking.
This system results in a world-class braking performance of 60-0 mph in less than 100 feet, and completion of SRT's signature 0-100-0 mph test in the low 12-second range.
2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe Ride and Handling
Handling and ride characteristics for the 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe is derived from a race-bred, four-wheel independent suspension featuring lightweight, high-performance aluminum control arms and knuckles, damped by lightweight coil-over shock absorbers. Power is delivered to the pavement via a Dana 44-4 Hydra-Lok speed-sensing limited-slip differential.
The 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe rides on unique forged aluminum wheels -- 18' x 10' front and 19' x 13' in the rear. Each is clad with a Michelin zero pressure run-flat tire, and each tire includes a low-pressure sensor in the valve stem.
The all-new 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe will be available in Dodge dealerships in the fall of 2005.
The Dodge Viper SRT10 is hand-built at the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in Detroit.Source - DaimlerChrysler
| |
Dodge Viper SRT10 is about uncompromising performance and stunning looks. With an 8.3-liter 500 horsepower V10 engine contributing to blistering acceleration (0-60 mph in less than 4 seconds, 0-100-0 mph in the low 12-second range), and a bold appearance marked by Dodge's signature crosshair grille design, deep-cut side scallops, swept-back fenders and lowered hood lines, the Dodge Viper SRT10 Convertible had no equal.
Since its introduction as a concept car at the 1989 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the Dodge Viper has captured the hearts and imagination of enthusiasts around the globe. It has also captured its share of trophies on the track as a three-time FIA GT2 and Le Mans class champion.
The next chapter of Dodge Viper continues to set the definition of extreme, yet features greater levels of refinement and finish. In other words, Viper retains its essence - its 'Viperness' - while taking natural steps forward.
Those who have never driven or ridden in a Dodge Viper can scarcely understand the way the car translates torque into forward momentum, nor can they fully appreciate the turning and braking capabilities of its massive tires and disc brakes.
The new Viper SRT-10 takes that unbelievable rush of performance to an entirely new level - beyond even that of the current American performance car standard. If one ride doesn't thrill, exhilarate, energize or excite you more than any other car on the road, check your pulse.
Convertible Top Opens the Possibilities for New Redesign
Engineers at Dodge, who had grown fond of their RT/10 Roadster and GTS Coupe and proud of the cars' performance capabilities, were fully aware of the wide tiretracks they would have to fill when the decision was made to create a new, true convertible version of America's ultimate sports car.
What began as a simple plan to alter the RT/10's roofline quickly grew to a 'blue-sky' redesign when designers and engineers discovered that the accompanying 2.6-inch lengthening of the wheelbase would change more than 50 percent of the car's body panels and many chassis components. Vehicle synthesis engineers, never ones to sit idly by, set to work immediately using the stretch as their opportunity to find incremental ways to update and improve the car. And quicker than you can say 'hasta la vista,' the teams found out that with a little bit of tweaking here and an upgraded assembly there, they would have an entirely new car to build.
While the Chrysler Group's famously creative design office staged an internal search for the best new Viper design sketch, performance-minded engineers at then Team Viper began to analyze the opportunities that a redesign could offer on the performance front.
About the same time, combined marketing, engineering and communications teams from Dodge began polling key constituencies on what the next Viper should be - and as important, what it shouldn't be.
Among one of the most vocal and enthusiastic opinion groups - the owners AKA Dodge's Viper Nation - the replies consistently demanded...
- More horsepower
- Bigger brakes
- Lighter weight
- A new convertible top mechanism
- A dead pedal
- Greater interior comfort
Owners were also asked what they didn't want:
- Digital instrumentation
- Cruise control
- Cup holders
- A 'bow-tie' lookalike
It was universally agreed that no matter the degree of change, certain Viper attributes - the car's legacy and signature to the world - must remain.
The message was loud and clear - Viper must be a front-engined, two-seat, rear-wheel-drive sports car. It must have a V-10 making at least as much power as the current 450 hp versions. That a six-speed manual transmission be the only choice. That it be devoid of cupholders, cruise control and traction control. Viper would be a driver's package, and never a luxury boat posing as a sports car.
Viper Remains True to the Original Mission
Dodge took its directives and built a mission statement for the new car. When Dodge laid out the mission for its new 2003 Viper SRT-10 Convertible, it started with five vision statements:
- Build a true convertible version of the original Dodge Viper RT/10 Roadster
- Refine the original caricature without losing its outrageous design
- Raise the benchmark for unmatched performance
- Maintain the back-to-basics approach from the original Viper
- Preserve the American sports car heritage
The 2003 Viper SRT-10 once again underscores the core philosophies of the Dodge brand by being the ultimate automotive icon for extreme performance and extreme attitude.
'Back in 1992, the purpose was to re-orient what the Dodge brand was all about,' said Jim Julow, Vice President - Dodge Motorsports and SRT Marketing. 'We had just come out of a lot of years without any significant performance-oriented products. We needed to send a message that we had a new concept - a very historically accurate concept - but one which had not been seen in America for a long time. We wanted to come up with something that was so outrageous, so cutting edge, so purpose built that it said we still had a lot of car nuts around here; people with the know-how to put the most outrageous street car ever on the road.
'The continuation of the Viper allows us to hatch a whole new line of performance cars that go across more vehicle types than just two-door roadsters,' continued Julow. 'This whole SRT line of vehicles will aspire to be the Viper of their category.'
Improving on a Legend
In creating the next chapter of Dodge Viper, the goal was also to enhance its unfiltered blend of performance.
As part of the Dodge Viper's complete redesign, more than 100 changes and improvements have been made to the chassis, brakes, suspension, tires, engine, transmission, cockpit, electronics and more than a dozen body panels.
Yet Viper retains a traditional front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout with a six-speed manual transmission. The commitment was made early on to use a racing-style chassis including fully independent four-wheel suspension, wide tires and wheels for maximum grip and massive brakes for stopping power.
A race-derived two-seat cockpit looks over a highly functional instrument panel with center-mounted tachometer and a 220 mile-per-hour speedometer. A traditional push-button starter reinforces the purposeful layout and race-car inspirations.
A new version of the Viper's four-wheel anti-lock disc brake system, originally introduced for the 2001 model year, is enhanced for this next-generation car.
With a new bored and stroked aluminum engine block that increases the Viper's displacement from 488 to 505 cu. in. and pushes its V-10 power output to 500 horsepower and 525 lb.-ft. of torque, Viper has no equal on the road.
'For a brand like Dodge, maintaining best-in-class performance claims are absolutely the most important thing we can do,' said Julow. 'As a brand, we must differentiate ourselves based on performance and driveability in creating a true enthusiast car. We need these proof points because frankly, not everyone wants to have a 500-horsepower, two-door convertible. Not everyone necessarily wants to have a turbocharged, manual transmission small car. Not everybody's looking for an aluminum block full-size truck.
But they're looking for a brand that's willing to put a little bit extra into everything it builds, and the proof points for that are the SRT (Street and Racing Technology) line, which pushes the envelope as far as we can.'
On the Outside
With styling cues derived from the Dodge Viper GTS/R concept car first shown at the 2000 North American International Auto Show, the all-new 2003 Dodge Viper SRT-10 convertible packs an outrageous new design into a low-slung roadster shell.
Lowered hood lines, swept-back fenders and deep-cut side scallops take their cues from the classic original, yet bring the Viper into the 21st century. Improved aerodynamics and a partial undertray add functional performance enhancements.
Viper's visceral lines speak volumes of the passion that Dodge designers bring to their craft. The new Viper gives enthusiasts an American sports car that remains true to the credo of pure performance.
The new Viper has a new roofline profile with an easy-to-operate drop top. The Dodge Viper was initially introduced with a full-width sport bar that brought open-air motoring to the Dodge lineup. The second chapter of Viper history was written when the GTS Coupe was added in 1996, and added classic gran tourismo styling to match the car's prodigious performance capabilities.
The new Viper's bi-fold clamshell top with single center latch now makes it a true convertible, harking back to a time when sports cars delivered serious performance capabilities and stood for untamed freedom.
For drivers seeking the farthest edge of the performance envelope, Viper remains nothing less than a streetable supercar - sophisticated yet brutal.Source - DaimlerChrysler
For more information and related vehicles, click here© 1998-2009. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The next chapter of Dodge Viper continues to set the definition of extreme, yet features greater levels of refinement and finish. In other words, Viper retains its essence - its 'Viperness' - while taking natural steps forward.
Those who have never driven or ridden in a Dodge Viper can scarcely understand the way the car translates torque into forward momentum, nor can they fully appreciate the turning and braking capabilities of its massive tires and disc brakes.
The new Viper SRT-10 takes that unbelievable rush of performance to an entirely new level - beyond even that of the current American performance car standard. If one ride doesn't thrill, exhilarate, energize or excite you more than any other car on the road, check your pulse.
Convertible Top Opens the Possibilities for New Redesign
Engineers at Dodge, who had grown fond of their RT/10 Roadster and GTS Coupe and proud of the cars' performance capabilities, were fully aware of the wide tiretracks they would have to fill when the decision was made to create a new, true convertible version of America's ultimate sports car.
What began as a simple plan to alter the RT/10's roofline quickly grew to a 'blue-sky' redesign when designers and engineers discovered that the accompanying 2.6-inch lengthening of the wheelbase would change more than 50 percent of the car's body panels and many chassis components. Vehicle synthesis engineers, never ones to sit idly by, set to work immediately using the stretch as their opportunity to find incremental ways to update and improve the car. And quicker than you can say 'hasta la vista,' the teams found out that with a little bit of tweaking here and an upgraded assembly there, they would have an entirely new car to build.
While the Chrysler Group's famously creative design office staged an internal search for the best new Viper design sketch, performance-minded engineers at then Team Viper began to analyze the opportunities that a redesign could offer on the performance front.
About the same time, combined marketing, engineering and communications teams from Dodge began polling key constituencies on what the next Viper should be - and as important, what it shouldn't be.
Among one of the most vocal and enthusiastic opinion groups - the owners AKA Dodge's Viper Nation - the replies consistently demanded...
- More horsepower
- Bigger brakes
- Lighter weight
- A new convertible top mechanism
- A dead pedal
- Greater interior comfort
Owners were also asked what they didn't want:
- Digital instrumentation
- Cruise control
- Cup holders
- A 'bow-tie' lookalike
It was universally agreed that no matter the degree of change, certain Viper attributes - the car's legacy and signature to the world - must remain.
The message was loud and clear - Viper must be a front-engined, two-seat, rear-wheel-drive sports car. It must have a V-10 making at least as much power as the current 450 hp versions. That a six-speed manual transmission be the only choice. That it be devoid of cupholders, cruise control and traction control. Viper would be a driver's package, and never a luxury boat posing as a sports car.
Viper Remains True to the Original Mission
Dodge took its directives and built a mission statement for the new car. When Dodge laid out the mission for its new 2003 Viper SRT-10 Convertible, it started with five vision statements:
- Build a true convertible version of the original Dodge Viper RT/10 Roadster
- Refine the original caricature without losing its outrageous design
- Raise the benchmark for unmatched performance
- Maintain the back-to-basics approach from the original Viper
- Preserve the American sports car heritage
The 2003 Viper SRT-10 once again underscores the core philosophies of the Dodge brand by being the ultimate automotive icon for extreme performance and extreme attitude.
'Back in 1992, the purpose was to re-orient what the Dodge brand was all about,' said Jim Julow, Vice President - Dodge Motorsports and SRT Marketing. 'We had just come out of a lot of years without any significant performance-oriented products. We needed to send a message that we had a new concept - a very historically accurate concept - but one which had not been seen in America for a long time. We wanted to come up with something that was so outrageous, so cutting edge, so purpose built that it said we still had a lot of car nuts around here; people with the know-how to put the most outrageous street car ever on the road.
'The continuation of the Viper allows us to hatch a whole new line of performance cars that go across more vehicle types than just two-door roadsters,' continued Julow. 'This whole SRT line of vehicles will aspire to be the Viper of their category.'
Improving on a Legend
In creating the next chapter of Dodge Viper, the goal was also to enhance its unfiltered blend of performance.
As part of the Dodge Viper's complete redesign, more than 100 changes and improvements have been made to the chassis, brakes, suspension, tires, engine, transmission, cockpit, electronics and more than a dozen body panels.
Yet Viper retains a traditional front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout with a six-speed manual transmission. The commitment was made early on to use a racing-style chassis including fully independent four-wheel suspension, wide tires and wheels for maximum grip and massive brakes for stopping power.
A race-derived two-seat cockpit looks over a highly functional instrument panel with center-mounted tachometer and a 220 mile-per-hour speedometer. A traditional push-button starter reinforces the purposeful layout and race-car inspirations.
A new version of the Viper's four-wheel anti-lock disc brake system, originally introduced for the 2001 model year, is enhanced for this next-generation car.
With a new bored and stroked aluminum engine block that increases the Viper's displacement from 488 to 505 cu. in. and pushes its V-10 power output to 500 horsepower and 525 lb.-ft. of torque, Viper has no equal on the road.
'For a brand like Dodge, maintaining best-in-class performance claims are absolutely the most important thing we can do,' said Julow. 'As a brand, we must differentiate ourselves based on performance and driveability in creating a true enthusiast car. We need these proof points because frankly, not everyone wants to have a 500-horsepower, two-door convertible. Not everyone necessarily wants to have a turbocharged, manual transmission small car. Not everybody's looking for an aluminum block full-size truck.
But they're looking for a brand that's willing to put a little bit extra into everything it builds, and the proof points for that are the SRT (Street and Racing Technology) line, which pushes the envelope as far as we can.'
On the Outside
With styling cues derived from the Dodge Viper GTS/R concept car first shown at the 2000 North American International Auto Show, the all-new 2003 Dodge Viper SRT-10 convertible packs an outrageous new design into a low-slung roadster shell.
Lowered hood lines, swept-back fenders and deep-cut side scallops take their cues from the classic original, yet bring the Viper into the 21st century. Improved aerodynamics and a partial undertray add functional performance enhancements.
Viper's visceral lines speak volumes of the passion that Dodge designers bring to their craft. The new Viper gives enthusiasts an American sports car that remains true to the credo of pure performance.
The new Viper has a new roofline profile with an easy-to-operate drop top. The Dodge Viper was initially introduced with a full-width sport bar that brought open-air motoring to the Dodge lineup. The second chapter of Viper history was written when the GTS Coupe was added in 1996, and added classic gran tourismo styling to match the car's prodigious performance capabilities.
The new Viper's bi-fold clamshell top with single center latch now makes it a true convertible, harking back to a time when sports cars delivered serious performance capabilities and stood for untamed freedom.
For drivers seeking the farthest edge of the performance envelope, Viper remains nothing less than a streetable supercar - sophisticated yet brutal.Source - DaimlerChrysler
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subscribe - RSSAutomobile information, history, and specifications from concept to production. | © 1998-2009 Conceptcarz.com