The return of the Viper to SRT’s model family – it’s no longer a Dodge – has seen Detroit’s venerable muscle car make the switch to Pirelli rubber.
For the first time in the Viper’s twenty-year history, the all-new 8.4-liter, 10 cylinder 640bhp coupe will transfer its power through the OE spec 295/30ZR18 (front) and 355/30ZR19 (rear) specification P Zero’s to the standard car, whilst the optional GTS Track package will see the car gain track orientated P Zero Corsa’s.
The 2013 Viper is built on a stiffer architecture that Dodge claims will increase torsional rigidity by more than 50%. Beneath the elongated hood, an aluminum ‘X-Brace’ ties the suspension turrets together, improving stiffness. The chassis has been reworked, taking in multiple lighter materials reducing the cars weight by 100 pounds.
Bilstein supplied DampTronic Select dampers – with a two-mode adjustment setting are standard on the GTS model, whilst Brembo sourced four-pot calipers and 355mm vented discs are used to bring the carbon-fiber and aluminum bodied Viper to a stop.
“After a gut-wrenching period of uncertainty, the Street and Racing Technology brand team is extremely proud that our hand-built in Detroit, flagship supercar is back and ready to take on the performance car world,” said Ralph Gilles, president and CEO – Street and Racing Technology Brand and Motorsports, Chrysler Group LLC. “Beyond being the flagship for the new SRT brand, the launch of the 2013 Viper proves that we simply would not let the performance icon of the Chrysler Group die.”
