Unofficial: Dodge Viper ACR laps 'Ring in record 7:22.1 [w/VIDEO]
We're not terribly surprised that the Dodge Viper ACR has apparently made it around the famed German racing circuit faster than pretty much anything else you'll find on a dealer's lot. After all, the ACR is a race car, as evidenced by the video that Motor Trend has posted. The most venomous Viper has done the deed in 7:22, fast enough to make grown men cry. To this blogger, the Viper is dead gorgeous, even with that yucky-but-functional rear wing on the ACR, and it definitely carries the spirit of hairy-chested cars of yore. The shifter wobbles around horrendously when the driver kisses the rev limiter a few times, and there even appears to be a flubbed shift near the end, so the ACR may have faster laps left in it. We're waiting on confirmation on whether or not this is an official lap, but it's certainly creating a stir, and the Viper wants to know, V-Spec who? Thanks for the tip, Rob.
[Source: Viper Alley]
Thanks for the tip, Rob!
video of run at MotorTrend
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
i.c. weiner 12:06AM (8/28/2008)
WOW!
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hashiryu 12:40AM (8/28/2008)
About what I expected.....
Nice
NAK 11:46AM (8/28/2008)
I think we should replace the testing standard with another ring. The outcome in the Ring seems to be determined largely by HP.
xpolarx 12:39PM (8/28/2008)
Does anyone know who was driving? He missed two shifts...probably lost a full second. They should definitely run it again.
Mark Ryan 1:06PM (8/28/2008)
@NAK
I agree, we should start using a course that lets slow cars get the fastest laps.
WhyNotTheC63? 3:42PM (8/28/2008)
I say if they put Sabine behind the wheel, assuming she'd be strong enough to throw the stick, this thing could easily drop seconds.
7:16. I'm standing by for results.
WhyNotTheC63? 3:55PM (8/28/2008)
I say if they put Sabine behind the wheel, assuming she'd be strong enough to throw the stick, this thing could easily drop seconds.
7:16. I'm standing by for results.
Franz 12:11AM (8/28/2008)
I just sent a tip in like a few minutes ago... lol
I always knew this car would kick ass at the ring. 600hp with adjustable aero and suspension, plus R compound tires. I always thought it was a no brainer that this would beat both Vette and GT-R.
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MachinaDC5 12:34AM (8/28/2008)
It has R-comps? Uh... are R-comps street legal?
Hank 12:56AM (8/28/2008)
Yes R-Comps ARE DOT approved street legal tires, albeit at the extreme performance end of the tire spectrum with extremely short treadlife.
Hank 1:01AM (8/28/2008)
and just to clarify, the ACR comes with Michelin Pilot Sports Cup tires, which are indeed R-Comps:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Pilot+Sport+Cup
PiCASSO 8:25AM (8/28/2008)
UTQG treadwear of 80... equivalent to 0.8 x 7,200 = 5,760 miles of life.
Paul P. 12:13AM (8/28/2008)
Uh-oh, here we go again.
With that said, I had high expectations for this car and with every review I read it seems like my expectations are easily met or surpassed. It really is a race car for the street.
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Jrejre 12:13AM (8/28/2008)
Why does the footage look sped up? Not on the road but in the car.
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john 12:15AM (8/28/2008)
it's about time american tuner do its job! More reason for dodge to just sell the Viper to a third partay!
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Joe folkmann 12:16AM (8/28/2008)
whats up with the driver bouncing it off the tach so much? I bet that car hates him.
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MachinaDC5 12:38AM (8/28/2008)
Judging by the Viper's massive amounts of torque, it's not because he's just hanging in gear too long. It's because thee Viper's losing traction so the RPMs shoot up, and thus off the limiter. It's not easy to drive a Viper.
MachinaDC5 12:46AM (8/28/2008)
As a follow-up, on some roadcourses it's faster to stay in-gear than to shift out then right back in.
Chris72b9 11:42AM (8/31/2008)
@ Machina
I agree with you on most points, but in some spots he seemed to just hang on the tach for way too long. It was especially disappointing on the front stretch when he held it in 5th and let it bounce off the tach the entire way.
I know it's a long, uphill straight, but I'd assume the Viper could pull pretty well in 6th, with 600hp and all.
ashtaron14 12:19AM (8/28/2008)
He sure Mis-shifts a lot. I don't think using only 3 gears (2,3, and 4) and hitting the rev-limiter like crazy will get you a better lap time. Also the car bottoms out quite often. YIKES!
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