Autoblog

Old vs. New: 2014 SRT Viper takes on upgraded 16-year-old Dodge Viper

Zach Bowman — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Videos, Dodge, SRT

It's easy to play the "Would you rather have a New X or an Old Y with a bunch of upgrades?" game more often than we care to admit, but the crew at Car and Driver have taken bench racing to the next level with their latest video. In it, the magazine pits a brand-new 2014 SRT Viper against a highly modified 1997 Dodge Viper GTS. There are 16 years between the time this particular GTS rolled off the production line and when the new car bowed, but that doesn't mean the old snake's owners have been sitting on their hands.

Thanks to a spate of modifications, the GTS offers up a better power to weight ratio than the new machine, but is that enough to overcome the technological leap forward represented by the 2014 Viper? We won't spoil it for you. You'll just have to check out the full clip below for yourself.

Continue reading Old vs. New: 2014 SRT Viper takes on upgraded 16-year-old Dodge Viper

Old vs. New: 2014 SRT Viper takes on upgraded 16-year-old Dodge Viper originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Feb 2013 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 sets lap record at Laguna Seca, beats new SRT Viper

Zach Bowman — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, SRT

As you may have heard, Motor Trend recently threw the 2013 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 and the 2013 SRT Viper at each other. And while it was somewhat shocking to hear that the aging ZR1 actually managed to narrowly walk away as the winner of this particular scrap, something else interesting happened during the dust up. Motor Trend called on pro driver Randy Pobst to thrash the two bruisers around Laguna Seca, and thrash he did. Pobst managed to bolt out a time of 1:33.70 in the ZR1, besting the old record of 1:33.99 set by Chris Winkler some three years ago. Winkler managed the task in a 2010 Dodge Viper ACR.

Pobst managed to pull down a 1:35.77 in the SRT Viper, making it the sixth-fastest car M/T has ever put through its paces at Laguna Seca. Don't shed a tear for the terror from SRT, though - the 2013 Viper is still quicker than hardware like the Ferrari 458 Italia, Lexus LFA and Nissan GT-R.

Unsurprisingly, the record-breaking story has triggered defensive posturing from the SRT camp, with none other than brand boss Ralph Gilles leaving comments on his Twitter feed like "There is a lot more left in the car, Randy has always struggled with the Viper" and "We've tested both cars at several tracks and never seen a gap like that. Many drivers needlessly fear the Viper.

The ZR1 may have drawn first blood on its way out the door, but one thing is for sure - this is only the first skirmish in what looks to be a long and highly entertaining battle.

2013 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 sets lap record at Laguna Seca, beats new SRT Viper originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Dec 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 SRT Viper [w/video]

Michael Harley — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 20:41:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, First Drives, SRT

An Extraordinary Effort to Break Previous Stereotypes

The Viper has always scared the hell out of me.

My aversion to the famed American sports car has nothing to do with its immensely powerful ten-cylinder engine or its Matchbox-like styling - those attributes are genuinely captivating. Instead, I have found little to like in a vehicle that is brash, coarse, uncivilized and untrustworthy at the limit. Rather than unload a slew of bitter complaints directed at each of its previous four generations, let's just say that the Viper has always represented the automotive equivalent of barbarous mechanical mayhem.

That is, until now.

After a three-year absence, an all-new Viper debuted at the 2012 New York Auto Show. No longer under the Dodge umbrella, Chrysler's supercar returned wearing the new performance-oriented SRT (Street and Racing Technology) brand label. Despite its familiar shape and engine configuration, the completely redesigned coupe promised not only more power but better handling, superior craftsmanship, innovative technology and a world-class cabin.

While this may sound as if the automaker's halo two-seater has been tamed after being forced through politically correct manners and etiquette classes, my observation - after spending a couple days with the snake on public roads and at Sonoma Raceway - is that the iconic Viper may be much more refined and less temperamental, but it still has some of the longest and sharpest fangs in the segment.

Continue reading 2013 SRT Viper [w/video]

2013 SRT Viper [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Nov 2012 20:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Only about 5% of Chrysler dealers will sell SRT Viper

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 11:31:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Performance, Chrysler, SRT

Back in May, we were the first to reveal that Chrysler was going to be requiring that its dealers meet certain special criteria to sell the 2013 SRT Viper. Now, USA Today is reporting that no more than 6.5 percent of Chrysler's U.S. dealerships will earn the right to sell the new Viper. Of the 2,300 dealerships, "only about 100 to 150" will satisfy the qualifications SRT has deemed necessary to satisfy the "different kind of a customer" and "different approach" that the Viper requires. That's far fewer outlets than the one-fifth of Chrysler's dealer body that was rumored back in July.

Those fortunate enough to make the cut will receive full-circle training in how to deal with all aspects of the $99,390 SRT Viper and $122,390 Viper GTS, and a report in Automotive News indicates that they'll have to pay for it: a "high-performance agreement" to sell the 640-horsepower coupe will cost $20,000, but a further $5,000 is needed for tools, training, preferential ordering and peripherals that apply to the brand and every vehicle in the SRT stable.

Any dealer can opt in at the $5,000 level, and if they have met customer satisfaction standards, they are eligible for the special treatment when it comes to ordering. Any dealer can also work on any SRT vehicle, excluding the Viper. Only the select few, though, will get the chance to spend that $20,000. What it will take to be among the chosen hasn't been divulged, with SRT CEO Ralph Gilles saying only that "the first unofficial requirement... [is] a love affair with the cars."

Only about 5% of Chrysler dealers will sell SRT Viper originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Sep 2012 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 SRT Viper priced from *$97,395, new images released [w/video]

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 19:05:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Performance, Chrysler, Dodge, SRT

Come November, you'll be able to put a mean snake in your garage for $97,395, *plus $1,995 for destination.

Chrysler has announced pricing information for the 2013 SRT Viper, with the base price seen above, and the higher-spec Viper GTS model at $120,395 (plus destination). Either way, SRT's latest snake will pack the same 8.4-liter V10 engine with 640 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque. For those keeping track, the Viper's weight-shedding diet means each of those ponies is lugging around just 4.9 pounds. Stepping up to the GTS will net the buyer such goodies as two-mode active suspension, premium interior furnishings.

Along with the official asking price, SRT has seen fit to release a smattering of new images showing the Viper's curves in yellow and blue. We suggest you check out the images above, then skip back down below for some video and the official press release.

Continue reading 2013 SRT Viper priced from *$97,395, new images released [w/video]

2013 SRT Viper priced from *$97,395, new images released [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Sep 2012 19:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SRT unveils 2013 Viper GTS Launch Edition

John Neff — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 17:08:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Dodge

SRT has just surprised us with news that it will be making an appearance in Monterey this week with a special vehicle in tow. Taking its place among historic automobiles on the Concept Lawn at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance this weekend will be the 2013 SRT Viper GTS Launch Edition model, wearing the iconic GTS Blue paint and dual white stripes of prior Viper coupe launches from both 1996 and 2006.

The Viper GTS Launch Edition also features exclusive five-spoke polished forged-aluminum wheels that evoke, but also evolve, the wheel designs of those prior launch models. These special Vipers also get a serialized dash plaque placed inside their cabins to increase collectibility, and their interiors will be swathed in Black Laguna leather with contrast stitching. Production will be limited, but Chrysler has refrained from saying how many Launch Editions will be built.

Check out official images of the 2013 SRT Viper GTS Launch Edition in the gallery above, and stay tuned for our own live images of the car when we encounter it out in person at Pebble Beach.

Continue reading SRT unveils 2013 Viper GTS Launch Edition

SRT unveils 2013 Viper GTS Launch Edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 17:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 SRT Viper to require dealer certification; hardcore model planned? [w/video]

Chris Paukert — Fri, 18 May 2012 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Performance, Chrysler, Dodge

On Thursday night's Autoline After Hours, SRT boss Ralph Gilles sat down with show hosts John McElroy and Peter DeLorenzo, along with Autoblog and AOL Autos staffers to talk all things Viper. Among the interesting tidbits disclosed about the 640-horsepower supercar are plans for a new dealer certification process designed to encourage the sort of purchasing, service and ownership experience that buyers of six-digit cars have come to expect.

According to Gilles:

"It's going to be a qualified dealer situation... The ones who do the dealer training in terms of the tech. I want a tech. I want a display car. I want all these things. There's going to be a list. It's not going to be impossible, it's just that someone has to put in the extra effort and say 'I'm an SRT dealer.'"

Off the air, Gilles told Autoblog that Chrysler officials have already approached a number of dealers with a strong record of Viper and SRT sales to discuss how the certification process will work, gaining valuable feedback in the process. A document outlining the new certification program will go out to Dodge dealers next month.

Chrysler has yet to announce official pricing and the Viper won't go on sale until sometime in the fourth quarter of the year, but that hasn't stopped a queue of customer deposits from piling up. According to Gilles, one particularly strong Viper dealer already has around 90 such deposits in-hand. Considering that Viper sales averaged about 1,600 units in past years, that's a substantial figure.

In other news, Chrysler officials have been making a big point of talking about the 2013 Viper's newfound refinements, from reduced NVH to nicer interior materials and improved drivability thanks to the institution of technologies like stability control and traction control. Gilles says that great care has been taken to ensure the model's core personality still shines through, but given that much of the Viper's mystique is centered on its raw, leg-burning, hairy-knuckled persona, we couldn't help but wonder aloud if the new model's refinements have left room for a stripped-out hardcore version for Viper purists and racers. With raised eyebrows, arms gesturing wildly and stifling a smile, Gilles wryly said: "I love how you think. Next subject!"

To watch the Autoline After Hours episode in its entirety, scroll down.

Continue reading 2013 SRT Viper to require dealer certification; hardcore model planned? [w/video]

2013 SRT Viper to require dealer certification; hardcore model planned? [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 May 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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