Most people would say it's feeding those in need. Normal, right? Unfortunately, the press seems to think the story is the cars. That's right; instead of people who require help, the exotic transportation became the story. It's insane.
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Now, The Detroit News reports that Chrysler officials confirmed that next summer we will see the 2013MY Viper adding that it won't be based on Alfa’s supercar. In particular, Dodge CEO, Ralph Gilles, said that the new Viper “is not based on anything else” and any similarity with the Alfa is accidental, as the two cars have different proportions.
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Mr. Ekins is said to have built the project himself (except for some specialty work), having sourced the 10-cylinder 8.3-liter engine and T-56 Tremec transmission from a wrecked donor car. Other than the power train, a slew of other systems obviously had to be upgraded in order for the car to become a 300 SRT10 and not just a 300 Touring with a massive engine.
This homemade project now rides on Eibach coilovers and gets a new sway bar kit, as well as a little bit of extra cooling up front in the form of a 3-inch thick radiator and "custom" oil filter. Other additions include a new fuel tank mounted in the trunk and the little styling tweaks found throughout.
The car is motivated by the '86 Vette's power train - a 5.7-liter V8 and a 4-speed stick - so don't expect to be going anywhere in too much of a hurry. Inside is more of the 1980's, with the Corvette interior color-coded to line up with the Viper exterior (meaning it's the mighty played-out red and black).
The new Dodge will make its debut at the Viper Owner's Invitational taking place in Salt Lake City, followed by a stop at SEMA in November on its way to Orlando.
Mopar CEO and President Pietro Gorlier says, "With the introduction of our new 2011 Mopar Challenger Drag Pak, Mopar will be the only place to get a factory-built V10-powered race-ready drag car. Mopar's new Challenger Drag Pak is a race rocket that will appeal to racers, collectors, dealers, and Dodge Viper owners."
The Drag Pack-equipped Challenger will be available in either Stock Eliminator or Super Stock form. It rides on comp tires and comp wheels attached to a solid rear axle; the car also gets a comp fuel system and fuel cell. Options include a $7,950 competition package (which adds an 8-point cage, 6-spoint harness, and a mesh window net), a $6,800 paint option (instead of the bright white), and a $950 body wrap.
All this V10 drag strip Challenger goodness comes at a price though: an MSRP of $85,512 for each of the 70 examples Mopar will build. That's good for the race teams, but how about give it a street-able powertrain and turn this into a special edition production version of 2009's Challenger SRT10. That was one of the sweetest modern Challengers I've ever seen.
By Phil Alex
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The new Dodge will make its debut at the Viper Owner's Invitational taking place in Salt Lake City, followed by a stop at SEMA in November on its way to Orlando.
Most manufacturers are unwilling to do right-hand-drive conversions on what are essentially specialist models: cars like the Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Viper, Ford Mustang and the like. There just aren't enough buyers to rationalize the cost.
Fortunately, a cottage industry (or rather a man-in-a-shed industry) has popped up offering RHD conversions of American muscle cars for eager buyers in countries like Australia, the UK and Japan.
The serpent 'Dodge Viper finally stopped production. In order for the special last production sports car Chrysler factory output was given a special touch
Today, Dodge unveiled the third limited, special-edition version of the soon-to-be-discontinued Viper SRT10 sports car, dubbed ACR-X. Based largely upon the Viper SRT10 ACR, the new model is a turn-key, non-street legal, racer that's powered by a tweaked version of the standard Viper's 8.4-liter V10 that gains new headers and a low-restriction exhaust system, increasing output by 40HP to 640 horsepower.
The Viper SRT10 ACR-X's suspension has been upgraded and tuned specifically for track usage, while the sport car's weight is lightened by 160 pounds (73 kg) over the standard production model.
Dodge said that the car also features additional aerodynamic upgrades to improve downforce as well as to enhance stability and grip in high-speed cornering.
As a track racer, the Viper ACR-X comes with all the usual factory-installed safety equipment such as a factory-designed roll cage, fuel cell and race seat.
Dodge said that during a testing session of the ACR-X at Laguna Seca raceway last month, professional driver Kuno Wittmer from the SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge Touring Car Championship series, was able to run consistent 1:31.00 lap times around the 2.238-mile, 11-turn course.
This means that Wittmer's lap times were more than 3 seconds faster than the street-legal Viper SRT10 ACR which holds the production car track record at Laguna Seca raceway.
"The Dodge Viper ACR-X is incredible," said Wittmer. "After a short warm up, I was running lap times as quick as exotic GT race cars. I was blown away by the power and acceleration, and even more surprised at how the ACR-X navigated the challenging Laguna Seca corners and how friendly it was to drive at the limit."
The limited production 2010 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR-X will go on sale in the States in Spring 2010 with prices starting from around $110,000.
Towards the end of 2010, Dodge will cease production of its Viper sports car that was first introduced in 1992. To celebrate the final production of the current generation Viper SRT10, Dodge is adding new colors, improving performance and introducing a series of special edition models. All in all, the Detroit automaker plans to build around 500 Vipers for the last model year.Changes for the 'base' 2010 Viper SRT10 Roadster and Coupe models are limited to the introduction of two new exterior colors –Toxic Orange Pearl Coat and Bright Silver Metallic Clear Coat, and a shorter fifth gear ratio (changing from 0.74 to 0.80) for improved high-speed acceleration and higher straightaway speeds.
Power continues to come from a 8.4-liter V10 engine with 600HP and 560 lb.-ft. (760 Nm) of torque, with Dodge claiming a 0-60 mph (96 km/h)in under 4 seconds, quarter-mile time in the mid 11-second range and 0-100-0 mph in 11 seconds flat, and a top speed of 202 mph or 325 km/h.
Body style offerings remain unchanged with the availability of Roadster and Coupe models along with the ACR (American Club Racer) package
The hardcore Viper SRT10 ACR which recently set a new lap record at the Laguna Seca raceway, gets a new short-throw shifter and a redesigned rear wing profile and end plates in 2010. Dodge said that these changes combined with the new fifth gear ratio result in an increased top speed of 4 mph, to 184 mph (296km/h) for the ACR model.
At the Los Angeles Auto Show, Dodge introduced the first two of a series of special edition models of the Viper that are to come in 2010.
First up is the Viper ACR 1:33 Edition, which pays tribute to the new production car lap record set on Nov. 24 at Laguna Seca raceway. It features a unique two-tone Black Clear Coat / Red Clear Coat exterior color scheme which is the exact opposite of the original ACR model. Interior highlights include piano black console bezels with red gauge highlights complemented with red accent stitching in the seats. Production will be limited to 33 cars.
The second special model is the Vooodoo-edition Viper ACR that gets an all Black Clear Coat exterior with a Graphite Driver's Stripe outlined in red. Only 10 examples of this model will be built.
More details and pricing on all 2010 Dodge Vipers will be announced at a later date.
2010 Dodge Viper SRT10
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2010 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR
