Ever since I was a kid growing up in the dense jungles of my native state of Indiana I have been afraid of snakes. It didn't matter if they were garter snakes or anacondas. I tried to work my way up from worms but it didn't take. So imagine how nervous I was when invited to Virginia International Raceway to drive the king of all snakes, the new 600 horsepower 2008 Viper SRT10.
The Dodge Viper is the ultimate halo car for an automobile manufacturer. Since it was first shown as a concept vehicle at Detroit's North American International Auto Show, the enthusiasm for its unique design hasn't diminished in the slightest. While the 2008 version still bears a faint resemblance to the first production Viper in 2002, exterior changes have kept the vehicle stylistically fresh.
If you ever get the opportunity to drive one, let alone own one, be prepared to be stared at, the Viper is that unique. We drove the back roads from Durham, N.C., to Virginia and the sight of a caravan of Vipers will be the talk of the hills for decades to come. I drove the Roadster (the other body style is the Coupe) and thought to myself, “Doot doot do doot doot doot … life been good to me.” For one all-too-brief period of time, I was the demographic for Viper.
First things, first. You are not buying a Viper for its enjoyable road manners. The 2008 model has them but it's not particularly fond of using them. The ride is not one you'd find in a luxury sedan but it's surprisingly decent. Just give it some curves to eat occasionally and it will be happy.
The initial clue that the Viper is not your average fast car is the instrument panel. The largest gauge in it is the tachometer. A 220 mph speedometer is a smaller gauge to the panel's right. Along the outside of the instrument panel is a vertical row of gauges that gives you real-time information on your engine's performance. At the bottom of the row is the red starter button. You also have your choice of bezel finishes.
Speaking of performance, the engine for the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 is an 8.4-liter 90-degree V-type, liquid-cooled 10-cylinder blowtorch. The previous engine was an 8.3-liter. Doesn't sound like much of a difference, does it Basil? Think again! That .1-liter represents a 90 horsepower increase that propels Viper to a 0-60 mph time of under four seconds, and 0-100-0 mph in just more than 12 seconds! Try that with your family truckster. By the time you get done with these tests, the Viper driver will have had dinner and a movie. I've already mentioned the horsepower is 600. Torque is an amazing 560 pound-feet!
Transmission for Viper is a six-speed manual that has a new system that results in reduced shifter travel. It features 10 percent wider gears for higher torque capacity and a new synchronizer package. The only feature that mars an otherwise perfect gearbox is the annoying first- to fourth-gear jump (unless the vehicle is accelerating, and then the use of second- and third-gear will operate as normal). I understand that it's done to improve fuel economy but that doesn't make it more enjoyable.
The SRT10 Viper sits on polished, forged aluminum 18-inch x 10inch front and 19-inch x 13-inch rear wheels that are available in three styles: five-spoke, H-spoke and the all-new Razor wheel with five U-shaped spokes. Tires are Michelin Pilot Sport PS2s. Their four-groove tread design provides maximum grip, reduced road noise and superior handling in both wet and dry conditions.
One of Viper's standout features is its braking system. It has 14-inch brake rotors gripped by Brembo 44/40 dual opposing piston calipers in the front and Brembo 42/38 dual opposing calipers in the rear. An anti-lock braking system prevents lockup during hard braking. I don't know what all this means, but I do know that it will take the Viper from 60 mph to 0 mph in less than 100 feet.
I love the performance and everything associated with it except for one thing - the exhaust tone does not sound like something that has that much power. There's nothing like the burble of a high-performance V-8. Viper, however, has more of a tinny sound. Viper engineers have worked to improve the sound but haven't quite gotten there. Keep at it, the public demands it!
The interior is roomy for a normal-sized adult…tight for an out-sized one. The seat design holds the driver and passenger firmly, even around tight curves. They're set low, so upon entry you tend to fall into them rather than slide across. Needless to say, the Roadster with its top down is the desired welcome mat. I drove several laps around the VIR road course in the Coupe where it's mandatory to wear helmets. I must have looked like a fat torpedo as I entered the Coupe head first and then gyrated myself around so I could sit in the seat. Furthermore, I had to hold my head at a slight angle so the helmet wouldn't hit the headliner (it is mandatory to wear a helmet on the track). Thankfully, you won't encounter this problem during normal driving.
The steering wheel has a nice, solid feel and the gearshift lever is right where you want it. There's also the usual array of comfort features like power windows, air conditioning, stereo, etc. The Viper seats two … and two only!
A dramatic new hood features a larger and more efficient hood scoop for air induction and larger, functional hood louvers to assist in the engine's cooling. You wouldn't think it but the only body panels shared between the Coupe and Roadster are the front fascia and fenders, hood and doors. The SRT10 Coupe's hardtop with its “double bubble” styling makes it more torsionally stiffer than the Roadster. The roof and headliner structure offer more room to accommodate a safety cage while maintaining as much headroom as possible. The Coupe also offers increased downforce and high-speed stability with its sloping roofline and deck-lid spoiler. Also…the Coupe has an additional 6.25 cubic-feet of trunk space than the Roadster, for a total of 14.65 cubic-feet.
Among safety and security technologies for the 2008 SRT10 are: adjustable pedals, advanced multistage front air bags with occupant classification system, BeltAlert, constant force retractors, crumple zones, energy-absorbing steering column, interior head-impact protection, knee bolsters and tire-pressure monitoring.
What's a vehicle like Viper without some standout colors? For 2008 there are five new exterior colors: Venom Red, Snakeskin Green, Viper Violet, Viper Orange and Bright Blue (what, not Viper Bright Blue?). There are also four new interior color combinations: black/red, black/blue, black/medium slate and black/natural skin.
As always, I know what you're thinking; “I'd probably have to sell the house to be able to afford something as cool as the Viper SRT10.” Well, that depends on your house, Clem. Base price for the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 is $83,145 plus $850 destination charges. There are few options available so there won't be that extra expense to contend with. So unlike poor Al, here, if you're among the key target audience for Viper then you can keep your house and drive the Viper, too.
The Dodge Viper SRT10 is no assembly line, mass-produced vehicle. All Vipers are hand-built at Chrysler's Connor Avenue Assembly plant in Detroit. In case you're wondering what “SRT” stands for, it's “Street and Racing Technology.”
Now that I've stood up to a Viper, my fear of snakes has almost dissipated!
