DODGE VIPER

VIPER SPEC

ENGINE

7,990cc V10 20v

MAX POWER

378 bhp @ 5,100rpm

MAX TORQUE

454 lb/ft @ 3,600rpm

TRANSMISSION

6-speed manual

SUSPENSION

unequal length upper & lower A arms

STEERING

Rack & pinion, PAS, 2.4 turns lock to lock

BRAKES

Ventilated discs  

WHEELS

 Front: 17x10

 Rear: 17x13

TYRES

 Front: 275/40 ZR17

 Rear: 335/35 ZR17

DIMENSIONS

FUEL TANK -  72 litres

LENGTH - 4,488mm

WIDTH - 1,924mm

WEIGHT - 1535kg

PERFORMANCE

MAX SPEED - 177mph

ACCELERATION

0-60mph in 4.5s

FUEL CONSUMPTION     10.4 (test mpg)

We can all thank Robert A Lutz for the Viper along with Carroll Shelby, Tom Gale, and Fancois Castaing. The four men are considered to be the "Fourfathers" of the Viper. Basically what Bob Lutz was aiming for was to build a modern Cobra with today's technology all for under $100,000. The first prototype labeled VM01 was finished in December of 1989. The VM01 was powered by a Chrysler 360 V-8 engine. This prototype resembles the modern RT/10 but is missing the sports bar and sidepipes. The second prototype called VM02 resembles the RT/10 more but has different wheels. Built in 1990 it had the V-10 engine which was rated at 380 HP.

The engine has been used in vehicles other then the Viper. For example the Dodge Ram VTS had the V-10 engine which produced 300 HP and 450 ft-lb of torque. Also Carroll Shelby has his own signature Viper. It is signed by Shelby and his "CS" symbols on the car. However only 50 Shelby RT/10's were produced.

We can all thank John Hennessey for making the Viper even better. Hennessey has created the Venom Viper series including the Venom 500, 550, and 600. The Venom 550 had a 0-60 time of 3.5 seconds and a 1/4 mile time of 11.7 seconds. A Venom 550 however adds about $30,000 on top of the $60,000 stock price.