SRT CEO Ralph Gilles finnally unveiled the new 2013 SRT Viper today. The iconic snake will be made at home, at Conner assembly, Detroit. It is american with some advices taken from FIAT. It is gonna come in two models – SRT Viper GTS and SRT Viper. Roadster will come later.
“The SRT Viper model is meant to offer a perfect blend of extreme performance and a deliberate preservation of what has become the iconic DNA of the Viper…” said Gilles. “…with two price classes of the SRT Viper and SRT Viper GTS, we have offerings for both the traditional core Viper customer and for the new customer who wants the same performance in a package with more technology and premium creature comforts.”
Design
Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne approved it in 10 minutes. You may literally see the 1996 Viper lines in the latest model snake, but modern and evolutionary styling cues are also obvious – 21 LEDs in the headlights and even 51 in tail ones. Wider and 0.8-inch lower stance, bigger grille, state of art side exhaust.
The Viper uses much of carbon fiber body panels [hood, roof, deck lid and brake ducts] and aluminum [doors and sills]. To be exact 44% of weight comes from carbon fiber, 27% – aluminum components and 22% – composites. The front-mid-engined design put the weight distribution in 49/51 ratio. The car weights 100 pounds less – 3320 puonds. The stiffness is improved by whole 50% by using high-tech materials and cross-brace.
Power
It comes from 8.4 liter V10 engine that pushes 640 horses and 6000-lb-ft. The torque is probably the best one in the naturally aspirated market. Redline – 6200 rpm, top speed – 206 mph [332 kpm]. That’s 5mph faster than before. Transmission – 6speed manual. That much power requests safety. For the first time, the Viper has three-stage traction/stability control with all-off and a launch feature. The 8.4-inch screen offers many features, including lap times – how cool is that?! The display shows red snake logo when it is time to change gears in high rpm. Pirelli even made special tires for 2013 Viper. Hear the engine sound in video below! Monstrous…
Interior
Marchionne demanded thin-shell seats from the company that supplies Ferrari. Gilles promised “Bentley grade” leather and many customization options.
Races
It is gonna happen. They already have the special race SRT Viper GTS-R and 4 drivers for the American Le Mans races. For others – it is gonna be available in video game.
And finally, here’s a quote of Sergio Marchionne said to SRT team: “There are times when you are given the opportunity to give life to something which is so beautiful and unique, so just and equitable, that you pay a lot less attention to the numbers, to the financial realit that surrounds it… And so I leave you with this…”
HQ SRT Viper photos via netcarshow.com
Live images from 2013 SRT Viper unveiling ceremony
