The Majestic Tale of the Mad Viper

Viper GTS ACR

Viper SRT10

Viper Competition Coupe

Viper SRT10 ACR

This whole Viper Week reminded me to look back at the history of the Dodge Viper and I have been given a week to sample the old Vipers right before I have the chance to try out the all new 2013 Viper GTS on Forza Motorsport 4. Well, I just did, I drove everything from Viper GTS ACR to Viper SRT-10 ACR. I have different tastes on those different generations and it appears I have learned a lot about the Viper legacy so now....

What machine is this?

It's coming!

...Now it's here. It's ready to go to work and show everyone who's the big boss. Venomous, slithering, and now ready for action. Everybody please welcome, 2013 SRT VIPER GTS!

Meet the 2013 SRT Viper GTS

The all new 2013 SRT Viper is yours to collect, race, customize, or explore in Autovista as a free DLC.

2013 SRT Viper GTS at the Top Gear Test Track

2013 SRT Viper GTS at the Top Gear Test Track

After hiatus, the return of the Viper no longer bears the Dodge Viper name but it was called SRT Viper when it was premiered at the 2012 New York International Auto Show. It was evolved to incorporate superior craftsmanship, a host of new technologies and ergonimic improvements while respecting its visceral legacy of performance.

8.4L V10 OHV engne

The new SRT Viper comes with the same 8.4L V10 OHV engine from the previous Dodge Viper SRT-10 but now it churns out 640HP of power and 600lb-ft of torque. It is mated with a Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual transmission with a shorter throw shifter, close gear ratio, and shorter final drive ratio of 3.07. With a triple-digit weight loss, the power-to-weight ratio is better than the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 and the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1.

Stryker

1992-2003 Vipers have the logo called the "Sneaky Pete". 2003-2010 Vipers have the logo called "Fangs". For the new SRT Viper, it introduces a new Viper logo that looks intimidating to many and they called it "Stryker". What's it all about the new Stryker logo on the 2013 SRT Viper?

Designed by Vince Galante, the new "Stryker" logo is the third since Viper was launched in 1991 as a 1992 model, following earlier logos "Sneaky Pete" and "Fangs." This new logo provides a venomous detail that makes it a befitting take on a sports car that packs aggression and anger. Sadly however, this new Stryker logo took the idea from the logo of FLYING LIZARD MOTORSPORTS.

Excuse me but, you got our logo! Give it back!

Oops...Looks like we're facing an issue here. Despite that, there's something wicked about the Stryker logo. If the speedo reached through the red line, the Stryker logo shows up, and trust me on this, this is a warning sign that you have to change gear.

Stryker at the instrumental panel!

How cool was that? If you're scared about this Stryker logo coming out on your speedo, your best bet is to change gear before this shows up. My gosh, that logo was a complete nightmare, scaring kids of all ages. If you're not brave, then don't drive this car. We know that you're getting scared on this...scary looking Stryker logo.

2013 SRT Viper GTS' interior

Did I say scary? That new Viper emblem was in that steering wheel. If you're scared, then best to cover it with duct tape. He he he he.... But no, I'm brave enough to see that new Viper logo so it's fine for me. I like this new logo because it has some character on it. Anyway, on the interior, what you expect is handcrafted with some artisan spirit. For the Viper GTS model, all surfaces are fully leather skinned, and standard accent colors are applied to the seats, doors, center console and stitching. As for the seating, high-performance racing seats from Sabelt feature a lightweight Kevlar/fiberglass shell created by a state-of-the-art resin transfer molding technology for mass reduction and long-term durability.

The question of power to weight ratio is too inevitable. SRT says that 2013 Viper GTS has better power to weight ratio than the Lamborghini Aventador and the Corvette ZR1 but when you put the 2013 Viper against the Aventador, that's hopeless. However, we'll be focusing on the ZR1. As always, the rivalry between Viper and Corvette is a civil war that proves which of these two deserved to be "king of American sports cars". When the Viper was gone, the Corvette shines through as the undisputed king of American sports cars. Now that the Viper is back, this would be what happened when the ZR1 is pitted against the 2013 Viper...

See who stacks up now?

See who stacks up now? Does the Corvette stacks up against the new Viper? Nope! The Viper stacks up! Meet your new king! The 2013 Viper is now the KING OF AMERICAN SPORTS CARS! What SRT made is a masterpiece, not only it made a car that has better power to weight ratio than the ZR1, they made a car that promises nothing but humiliation against General Motors! Once again, General Motors will always be the losers. Anyway, enough bragging rights and for a bit of a downfall....

Now that the new Viper ditches the Dodge name, it appears that the 2013 Viper won't be in Dodge dealerships so what dealerships will carry on the new 2013 SRT Viper for its late 2012 sale? Some say, Chrysler Group LLC will challenge all dealerships with a series of tests. Those series of tests will prove that a certain dealership will be declared an SRT specialist dealership and that specialist dealership will feature the 2013 SRT Viper in their showrooms.

Which reminds me, I checked around Forza Motorsport 4 about the 2013 SRT Viper and there could only be one thing...That's all it could happen! Viper is now a stand-alone brand of Chrysler Group LLC! Even though this is SRT's first halo car, the fate can't be changed! Anyway, enough about that and figuring out how fast the 2013 Viper round the track and of course, hand it over to our tamed racing driver...

Our SRT Viper did it in 1:19.129, which means that this American sports car is a hypercar! It's a hypercar. If an exotic did below the 1:20 mark at the Top Gear Test Track, it's declared a hypercar and this SRT Viper just did! I'm amazed that this new SRT Viper really works. It's faster than the previous Dodge Viper SRT-10 but it's a few seconds slower than the old SRT-10 ACR. What an improvement. Triple-digit weight loss, improved V10 OHV engine, improved aerodynamics, this new Viper is just an astonishing masterpiece and this is surely became the KING of American sport cars, not the Corvette!