click above image for 20 high-res pics of the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR
AutoWeek may have broken the story on the Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR, but we're now allowed to bring you the full gamut of pics and info straight from the horse's mouth. As Drew mentioned earlier, we haven't had an ACR version of the Viper since 1999, so the return of Dodge's street-legal track car is significant news. The ACR is built around the standard Viper's stout 8.4L aluminum V10 that remains essentially unchanged – not that a 600-hp, 560 lb-ft motor needs much improvement. Instead, Dodge focused on other areas of the car to transform the Viper into a run-what-you-brung bonafide track special racer.
Since Drew hit the high points in our previous post, we won't reiterate them here. If you want more, you can read about every detail that makes this Viper SRT10 ACR special in Dodge's official press release after the jump and check out the gallery of high-res pics below. We'll be at the LA Auto Show next week to bring you live shots of the car after it debuts, as well.
[Source: Dodge]
PRESS RELEASE:
Even More Viper Venom! Dodge introduces street-legal 2008 Viper SRT10® ACR
• Dodge delivers ultimate purpose-built, street-legal track car
• 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10® ACR offers reduced weight, race-ready hardware and competition tuning for optimal on-track performance
• Aerodynamic improvements, racing suspension and weight savings equal unmatched performance for under $100,000
Auburn Hills, Mich. - Dodge announced today that the all-new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10® ACR - short for American Club Racer - will make its public debut at next week's Los Angeles Auto Show.
The latest addition to Chrysler LLC's Street and Racing Technology (SRT) family of performance vehicles, the all-new, 600-horsepower 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR is a street-legal Viper engineered to dominate on the race track. Because it is street legal, diehard Viper and track enthusiasts can drive their car to the race track, run it at speed on the track, and then drive it home.
"With the all-new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR, SRT has taken the ultimate American sports car and injected it with an extra dose of racing DNA," said Mike Accavitti, Director - Dodge Brand and SRT Marketing and Communications, Chrysler LLC. "With the Viper SRT10 as the starting point, SRT engineered a combination of reduced weight, race-tuned suspension and aerodynamic improvements to create the ultimate Viper for the street and track."
Derived from the all-new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10, the heart and soul of the all-new 2008 Viper SRT10 ACR is SRT's new 8.4-liter aluminum V-10 engine that produces 600 horsepower and 560 lb.-ft. of torque.
The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR stays true to the five key aspects of SRT: standout powertrain, bold exterior styling, race-inspired interior, benchmark braking, and world-class ride and handling characteristics across a dynamic range.
Bold Exterior Styling
The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR exterior styling cues offer not only bold aesthetics but functional benefits on the track. These include a variable geometry "fanged" front splitter, an adjustable rear wing sculpted by CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics), and optimized front dive planes. These new aerodynamic devices are formed in high-performance autoclaved carbonfiber. By using both unidirectional and woven laminates, the aero equipment is optimized for the minimum possible weight.
The splitter and dive planes feature a clear coated carbonfiber weave on all Viper SRT10 ACR models.
The front splitter includes three removable rub strips that provide protection and wear resistance. Supported by stainless steel tension cables, the splitter is designed to absorb the energy from minor upward deflections.
The Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR aerodynamics are tuned and balanced to maximize downforce and provide increased levels of lateral grip. Each Viper SRT10 ACR also includes a track extension that replaces the center splitter rub strip and fills out the fanged splitter scallop for closed-circuit events. The aerodynamic effect of the track extension is a reduction in overall drag and an increase in front downforce of nearly one third.
The front fog lamps have been deleted and replaced with lightweight filler panels.
The 2008 Viper SRT10 ACR features a signature two-tone paint scheme with a black center section. An optional driver's stripe is available on a two-tone Viper Red or a Viper Black ACR. The driver's stripe also features a sewn leather accent on the steering wheel. A clearcoated exposed weave is featured on the rear carbonfiber wing of all two-tone and driver's stripe Viper SRT10 ACR models.
A standard Viper SRT10 monotone paint scheme is also available featuring a body color rear wing and dual painted Viper stripes.
The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR is available in five colors: Viper Red, Viper Black, Viper Violet, Viper Bright Blue Metallic, and Viper Very Orange.
Lightweight forged aluminum Sidewinder wheels are painted gloss black to complete the one-of-a-kind exterior styling.
Race-inspired Interior
Based on the 2008 Viper SRT10 interior, the Viper SRT10 ACR goes a step further to satisfy what racers want: the least weight possible. An optional "Hard Core" package offers maximum weight savings by deleting the audio system, underhood silencer pad, trunk carpet and tire inflator. The radio is replaced by a lightweight cover that can be configured to mount the included lap timer. The door speakers are replaced by lightweight carbonfiber panels. The Hard Core package offers a 40 lb. weight savings and provides ultimate street legal race-ready performance.
World-class Ride and Handling
The all-new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR is specifically modified and tuned for track performance. The ACR suspension includes coil-over racing dampers from KW Suspensions that are adjustable for damping and ride height. The shocks are two-way adjustable without removing the wheels - a timesaver on the track - and they include a large range for compression and rebound. The KW dampers and forks are machined from solid aluminum billet, feature spherical bearing mounts, and are optimized to minimize weight and maximize performance.
The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR features a new front stabilizer bar for increased roll-stiffness.
Lightweight forged aluminum Sidewinder wheels are optimized by using Finite Element Analysis to achieve a lower rotating unsprung mass. Finished in gloss black paint, they wear Michelin Pilot Sport Cup DOT-approved (street legal) race tires, providing enhanced grip on the track.
Track performance is maximized in the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR via several weight-savings initiatives. The savings were achieved with the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup Tires, Sidewinder lightweight wheels, and StopTech brake rotors. With the aerodynamic and suspension elements, the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR is 40 pounds lighter than the Viper SRT10 coupe. The optional Hard Core package further reduces the weight by another 40 pounds, for a total weight savings of 80 pounds.
Benchmark Braking
The Viper SRT10 benchmark brakes are taken to the next level in the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR. StopTech two-piece, slotted, lightweight rotors combine with the Viper SRT10's Brembo calipers to reduce rotating inertia and unsprung mass, improve brake cooling, and significantly reduce fade even under extreme conditions. The StopTech rotors feature a patented curved-fin design, a key element in improving brake cooling. The StopTech brake rotors combined with the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup Tires and Sidewinder lightweight wheels combine to reduce 60 pounds of unsprung, rotating mass. The 2008 Dodge SRT10 Viper ACR stops from 60 mph in less than 100 feet.
Standout Powertrain
The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR utilizes the Viper SRT10's new 8.4-liter aluminum V-10 engine that produces a ground-shaking 600 horsepower and tire-smoking 560 lb.-ft. of torque. It features a deep-skirted V10 aluminum engine block, cylinder heads equipped with Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC)-shaped combustion chambers, large valves and Variable Valve Timing (VVT). VVT Electronically adjusts when the exhaust valves are open and closed according to engine speed and load, allowing the engine to "breathe" cleaner and more efficiently.
The two-piece intake manifold combines cast aluminum lower with smooth runners for better air flow, bolted to a die-cast aluminum upper plenum. A revised air-cleaner box with a low-restriction filter sends air through a dual electronic throttle control into the intake module.
The air-fuel mixture in the cylinders is ignited by platinum-tip spark plugs fired by individual plug coils mounted on the cylinder-head covers.
Within the cylinders, pistons are equipped with large-diameter floating pins with bronze bushings for high-load capability. Forged powder-metal connecting rods are secured with aircraft-quality fasteners for increased fatigue strength.
Engine lubrication is managed by the large oil pump and a swinging oil pickup adapted from Viper competition engines, to ensure proper oil pressure in high-rpm and hard cornering conditions.
The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR sports the latest evolution of the Tremec T56 six-speed manual transmission known as the TR6060. Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a GKN ViscoLok speed-sensing limited-slip differential.
Manufacturing
The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR will be hand built at the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in Detroit.
The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR will arrive in showrooms in the second quarter of 2008 at a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of less than $100,000. Complete pricing information will be released at a later date.
Street and Racing Technology
SRT creates some of Chrysler LLC's boldest, most distinctive products by single-mindedly following its core vision: Deliver benchmark performance at the lowest price, and deliver it with absolute integrity and credibility.
Every SRT vehicle showcases five key aspects: Exterior styling that resonates with the brand image; race-inspired interiors; world-class ride and handling characteristics across a dynamic range; benchmark braking and standout powertrain.
Pontiac El Cami-"NO"
Spy Shots: Baby Cayenne caught on 'Ring!
First Peek: 2009 Dodge Ram R/T
Spy Shots: Corvette ZR1 attacking the Nurburgring
2008 International Engine of the Year awards announced...
Future Classic: 1984 Chrysler Minivans
Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy
First Drive: 2009 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen
Project Track Slut, Part One: Pick a weapon on the cheap
By the Numbers: April 2008
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Jerk Face @ Nov 8th 2007 4:28PM
I just peed a little.
Chase @ Nov 8th 2007 4:28PM
The new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR: because bigger stripes make it faster.
Chase @ Nov 8th 2007 4:30PM
Or ...
it puts the race in racing stripe.
bert @ Nov 8th 2007 4:36PM
I'm sure they do. The fact that it flat out owns, probably doesn't hurt either :)
Chase @ Nov 8th 2007 4:46PM
I've got some more too:
bigger stripes for bigger schlongs
--
The more stripe, the more man
--
We likes the stripes
--
I'm done ... don't worry ... :)
Pete @ Nov 8th 2007 4:45PM
MOTHER OF GOD!
Endurancevm @ Nov 8th 2007 4:49PM
There are very few cars that kick ass, and this is the king of them all.
naggs @ Nov 8th 2007 4:58PM
that thing is so bad
i swear that car is looking for a fight
its like the automotive equlivant of prision tats and a bad attitude
TheOne442 @ Nov 8th 2007 5:00PM
That is the best statement I have heard all day!
Sam @ Nov 8th 2007 5:09PM
dear autoblog,
i got a question and its this: does it really pain you (the human, not the journalist) that you have to hold back such precious info to your readers until some sites like autoweek or autobild open up the floodgates?
Jason @ Nov 8th 2007 5:16PM
This car is begging for a comparo with the Corvette SS.
James @ Nov 8th 2007 5:16PM
I wonder if Chrysler/Dodge's new lifetime powertrain warranty applies to the Viper... if so, that would be fricken awesome.
enumerated @ Nov 8th 2007 5:20PM
Rather have a Sagaris
Carlos @ Nov 8th 2007 5:23PM
Wow 60lbs of rotating mass? That in itself is better than losing 100lbs of static mass. Bravo. Now bring us the bonded riveted aluminum next gen Viper that I've been hearing about.
Greek Boy @ Nov 8th 2007 5:37PM
Ugliest car i have ever seen, by far.
no_Odle @ Nov 8th 2007 6:17PM
this is one of the pointless cars that exist in our world. First of all it is an American "supercar" so thats the first strike. The second is the sucky interior which of course will not be changed from the previous models because no American cars have changing interiors, they all look the same... like a box. Last but not least the suspension and handling are more likely going to suck, cuz the old SRT-10 had sucky suspension and the one before that as well. Now, Dodge is gonna want to test this "car" against other supercars like ferrari and lambo's and to be honest, that 600hp is not gonna help unless their are comparing the cars in a drag race. I really think that its not worth the money, rather have a skyline... anyway i'll give it a plus in one area.. it kind of does look mean, but thats it. All in all worthless car as are all american "supercars" these days.
iOrange @ Nov 8th 2007 6:55PM
Bet you its faster than your riced out Civic..
naggs @ Nov 8th 2007 7:30PM
...troll...
GT @ Nov 9th 2007 9:44AM
@ no Odie,
I don't get it, so you want the Dodge Viper to be plush, calm, have all these electronical nannies and an amazing interior that can make Mercedes-Benz regret separating with them? And the handling sucks because the old one does, what? Isn't that why they refresh models after a couple of years? I believe there were many journalists that said that the handling was very much improved.
The Viper is something that runs from cops and make children have dreams of what they want when they grow up, not a car that celebs and POS drive around to get it wrapped around a tree...its a badass driver's car which is relatively cheap, its that simple...
J. D. Billiford @ Nov 8th 2007 6:30PM
>>> The "big snake" is looking good!!!