Everything you wanted to know about the Viper SRT10 ACR
AutoWeek recently got some track time with the Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR. The AutoWeek scribes also got Q&A time with some of the car's developers, including Herb Helbig, senior manager of SRT Vehicle Dynamics, Matt Bejnarowicz, supervisor for Viper ACR chassis development, and Mike Shinedling, program manager for the Viper ACR.
The ACR is what the behind-the-scenes gearheads at Chrysler came up with when left to their own drawing boards and ratchet wrenches. We gotta say, in spite of some of its production bland-o-riffic offerings, Chrysler's skunkworks teams come up with the coolest vehicles (Jeep JT anyone?). One of the most interesting elements of the ACR -- other than the weight savings just about everywhere and the bespoke dampers created by KW -- is how the hood louvers ended up where they are. The same engineering team behind the ACR wanted to move them forward as far back as 2003 for aerodynamic reasons, but the design team didn't like the look of it. The engineers got their wish when designer Ralph Gilles, who understood their point, joined the product design office.
There are more than a few snake references like "fanged geometry," "Sidewinder wheel," and "Viper Alignment Machine," but for anyone interested in the ultimate factory-produced Viper, it's a good read.
[Source: AutoWeek]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Chad 6:21PM (2/03/2008)
Doesn't mention how I can afford one on my salary. :P
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MemphisNET 6:30PM (2/03/2008)
@Chad
I'm sure that's in the next designer/engineering journal. I'll be subscribing myself :D
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DIRETTORE 7:50PM (2/03/2008)
Viper v. ZR-1 v. Spec V?
'To V or Not to V - that is the question'
Seriously, which one to choose? What I like about the base viper is that its available as a Cabrio. And its $20,000 Cheaper!
How long would it take to rip out the stereo (and sell it), remove the carpeting, the insulation, replace the brakes, etc?
AND there is no Turbo or SuperCharger needed to build boost.
OR you can get a Vette Targa & add the SuperCharger?
OR you can get a Camaro Cabrio & add the SuperCharger?
AAArrrggghhh!!! HELP!?
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Tim 8:31PM (2/03/2008)
You can get a Camaro Cabrio?! Who do you know?!?
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TwinTurbo3000GT 11:08PM (2/03/2008)
Hmmm...Viper for the win.
What in the world can compete with the Venom???
The viper has gone from an american super-musclecar to an absolute world class performance machine--and still remained (relatively) affiordable!
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TwinTurbo3000GT 11:09PM (2/03/2008)
are you seriously comparing a S/C CAMARO to THIS?!
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Glenn 11:07PM (2/03/2008)
or you can buy a volkswagon cabrio and be the bell of the ball!
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pmiddle5 1:19AM (2/04/2008)
Well Yeah. In my head the Corolla GTS with a 9k redline is about the same as the R28 Renault. They are both performance cars that are expensive in their market with high redlines and good hp per liter. Makes sense to me..
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pmiddle5 1:23AM (2/04/2008)
Could always buy an ACR as well then take it to Hefner getting it twin turbo'd....Then go to LeMans. Whatever can be done to get them dang Corvettes
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