The Dodge Viper: DNA of a Supercar feature.
Transcript- It wasn't birthed for the masses or designed for the status quo. Ordinary isn't in its DNA, but passion is. Passion drives every ounce of design origin. Attention to detail and meticulous hand crafting, it is the Dodge Viper. Seductive, irresistible.
Some regard this powerful attraction with trepidation, because a siren's call isn't for everyone. But for those keen enough to recognize its call, to feel it, the road will never be the same. What precisely inspires these automotive designers and craftspeople to pour their expertise, focus, and resolve into every component, every process into every step of the Viper build? Its passion of course.
Their commitment to keeping this fifth generation Viper a precise handling, comfortably driving performance icon ensures the Viper's legacy as a premium world class super car. They set the bar higher. The fifth generation Viper's designers and engineers aim to create one of the fastest street legal cars in the world, but how?
Start with the Viper's DNA. Then reimagined and refine every material, every component, and every process. After the Viper's space frame is hand welded by craftsman, the complete chassis is inspected by a computerized robotic system ensuring it is within XYZ tolerances. Literally, every component of the assembly involves human craftsmanship, distinguishing the Dodge Viper as one of the few custom built vehicles on the planet.
Like creating the mosaic art piece meant to inspire lasting admiration, over 3,700 unique components come together to form the Viper. Each facet carefully designed and tested to precision perfection. Built in small batches, there are only a handful birthed in a day. Standards are high, and expectations, higher. Push, refine.
When initially aiming to make the Gen 5 the most powerful Viper in history, engineers had their work cut out for them. In an effort to bolster the vipers already behemoth 8.4 liter V10 top end power, the increased intake duration by five degrees, the forged pistons are completely redesigned. They run at higher temperatures and reduce friction, producing even more horsepower at the wheel. But team Viper wanted more.
An innovative intake manifold improved air distribution and gives the Gen 5 a 10 horsepower escalation coupled with a completely reimagined cam shaft, which adds another 10 horsepower boost. It's no wonder the new Viper commands more power than any previous generation. [INAUDIBLE] exclusively to measure high horsepower engines. The team pushes the engine to redline, individually testing each Viper engine, ensuring it's ready for maximum output.
At 645 horsepower and 600 feet of torque, the new engine is a proven world beater. Every ounce of handling is mind. The all aluminum V10 is strategically mounted behind the front axle making the Viper a true mid engine supercar, ensuring the optimal weight distribution, and the Viper's distinctive ex brace noticeably improves chassis stiffness. New rear shock towers stiffen the overall structure and provide dynamic stability.
Tubular stabilizer bars and coil over springs offer a smooth, more refined ride without sacrificing the sensory feel of the road. And a completely reimagined chassis reworked with high strength steel and magnesium is 50% more rigid and 100 pounds lighter, assisting drivers where they need it most at the very limits of cornering. Before the Viper build continues, it will be pushed to its limits.
It's fluids are filled, and the chassis is run up to 90 miles per hour, testing the power train, electrical system, electronic stability control, and the anti-lock braking system. All six speeds of its manual transmission get a turn in the simulation. Then the ultimate test, push it all the way to red line. The Viper's massive custom built asphalt gripping pirelli's spin to the limit.
It's these types of meticulous assessments that ensure every Viper produced is a masterwork of precision. They say, it's what's inside that counts. There won't be any argument from the interior group. Sumptuously sculpted, intuitive ergonomics, and surprising comfort create a masterpiece of an environment.
Over 90% of the Viper's interior is hand wrapped in the finest leather available. It takes five hand selected hides to wrap the 19 leather covered pieces of the Gen 5's interior adding up to a flawlessly luxurious experience. Its seats are Italian inspired, hand built and race proven, designed and tested for driver comfort.
There are no shortcuts when every detail matters. Skilled artisans hand knot threads as they sew. This exacting attention is apparent the moment one sits inside, and these expert hand crafters wouldn't have it any other way. Lighter equals speed, and the new Viper's panels are lighter than ever before for just that purpose.
Its doors are made of a super foreign material, which is buoyant compared to previous generations. The mantra here, shed more weight. The roof, deck lid, and hood are built by hand from carbon fiber, maximizing the Viper's weight to power ratio.
Designed with structural integrity, 48% of the Viper's exterior is carbon fiber, lighter than steel with superior stiffness. With over 100 pounds of reduced weight, the Viper owes this accomplishment to the carbon fiber craftsman. The journey to become a carbon fiber component starts in typical Viper fashion, by hand.
Intricate patterns scissored from premium carbon fiber cloth formed the crucial individual layers. A time consuming process. It will take 480 pieces to model a single hood fender assembly. Following innovations developed by the aerospace industry, layer after layer is laid in a specialty mold forming an intricate high tech tapestry.
Each mold is brilliantly engineered to leverage the unique design flexibility of carbon fiber and forms a component strategically conceived to consolidate parts and maximize strength. Achievements that couldn't have been a team using traditional materials. Heat and pressure combine to solidify the layers into a cohesive unit.
Experts scrutinize each and every step. A single air bubble could weaken the structural integrity. Less than perfect, not on this watch. Out of the heat, the parts unique shape is evident, waiting to be refined.
Here's where surgical precision and an artist's eye combine to create a component masterpiece. Exact trimming reveals the forms essence. A piece lighter than steel, lighter than aluminum, and remarkably, even 30% to 35% lighter than magnesium alloy. Each part has an outer and intersection made to be bonded together.
These components take advantage of carbon fibers additional attributes, superior energy absorption, and excellent vibration dampening. Finally, the finishing touches. Each part, a work of extreme dedication and a monument to ingenuity.
Carbon fibers unique properties optimize the Viper's aerodynamics. Downforce has been maximized, improving stability and fuel efficiency. Drag has been greatly reduced, increasing overall top end speed. The Viper's shape aggressively manipulates airflow to cool the engine and its performance components.
Capable of 200 plus miles per hour, if an enthusiast is willing to go there, the aerodynamically refined Gen 5 Viper is more than ready. The way the light reacts along its surface is no accident. The Viper's paint finish complements its aggressive styling and hugs its sensuous curves.
The entire process is done by hand. The level of detail is so painstaking, it takes between 140 and 160 hours from start to finish. All the body parts are sanded before and after coats, ensuring the surface will polish to a precision gloss and smoothness. Only the best available materials and one of the industry's highest quality paint will do.
Hundreds of hours in the making and a master work worth every minute to get there. Every phase of the Viper's design process from initial sketches from the final testing is reflected in the care and attention these craftsmen give to each new Viper. Every single one is expressly built to stir the enthusiasts race car drivers soul.
After all, the entire Viper team shares the same passion for world class precision and unearthly power, proving the Viper is created like no other car in the world. The result, a precision handcrafted machine made to stimulate all the senses of an enthusiast. One look stirs something primordial.
And the way the Viper looks back at you, those curves, wickedly beautiful. A sculpted masterpiece of form following function. Once inside, the Viper continues to charm the senses. Built to be a racecar and devilishly luxurious at the same time.
Examine the hand stitching, flawless. It's allure is undeniable, and that sound, that sinful sound. The call is unmistakable and invigorating. The perfect mix of the majesty and mayhem. The fifth generation Dodge Viper, a passionate rivalry engineered and meticulously crafted world class supercar meant to be driven.
The 2025 Kia K5 has been revealed with light styling changes and a slimmer powertrain line-up. It features new lights front and rear with other detail exterior changes. It drops the turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder, leaving just the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder as the main engine for the sedan. But those …
The 2025 Kia Carnival gets a light styling refresh and a significant powertrain change. It will now be available with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder hybrid that makes 242 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. It's paired with a six-speed automatic and front-wheel drive, and the same basic powertrain is already …
Cadillac has taken the opportunity to reveal the refreshed 2025 CT5 sedan on home turf, at the 2023 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. It gets some styling tweaks to put forward a more aggressive face, and features some improved and updated technology. Most of the visual changes occur …
The 2024 GMC Acadia has been fully redesigned and is significantly larger than its predecessor. The wheelbase is a huge 10.2 inches longer than before. It's backed up by a new powertrain for the whole line-up: a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder making 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque. Maximum towing …
Both the 2024 Ford F-150 Raptor and Raptor R get upgrades in the refresh. In addition to some fresh design, Ford is bringing new Dual Live Valve Fox shocks to the picture for 2024, which will be paired with the 37-inch tire package that also includes Recaro seats and a …
There’s a new tailgate in town, and Ford is calling it the Pro Access Tailgate. The big party trick on display here with the Pro Access Tailgate is the middle portion of the gate that swings out like a single barn door. The point of a sideways-swinging tailgate is the …
The STX trim of the 2024 Ford F-150 gets a few small changes for the truck’s refresh. For one, it gains bright yellow accents as standard equipment. You’ll see the yellow trim both outside and inside the truck. However, if you prefer to not have the bright yellow everywhere, Ford …
The 2024 Jeep Gladiator is refreshed with a re-styled seven-slot grille and a bunch of new wheel designs. It has an upgraded interior, borrowing the horizontal 12.3-inch touchscreen from the Wrangler’s refresh and bringing Uconnect 5 along with it. Another big quality of life improvement are new 12-way power front …
There’s never been a Mustang quite like this: the 2025 Ford Mustang GTD. This monster of a Mustang was engineered and developed between both Ford and Multimatic (alongside the GT3 racecar) as a super-secret project that began in 2021. The GTD is packing an improved version of the 5.2-liter supercharged …
Mini is calling this fancy, round screen the “Mini Interaction Unit.” The super-thin screen itself is a perfect circle and measures 9.4 inches in diameter. The software it’s using is called Mini Operating System 9. It’s vibrant, colorful, modern and full of pleasant surprises. What you see on screen is …
Mini designed a ton of new sounds to go with the upcoming Cooper and Countryman EVs. Depending on the mode you’re in, you’ll get totally different sound experiences. For example, “Timeless” mode will give you a blend of noises from the classic Mini and the latest JCW GP. Meanwhile, “Balance” …
Mini just revealed the interior design of its 2025 Cooper. The changes and updates are everywhere, as this new Mini shares practically nothing with the outgoing model. Its new centerpiece is a massive, circular display that appears to be showing off new infotainment system software. All of your vital information …
BMW has a long-standing tradition of unveiling a concept at the annual Villa d'Este Concours d'Elegance, and this year's is a head-turner. Called Concept Touring Coupé, it's a Z4-based shooting brake with a silhouette reminiscent of the "Clown Shoe" Z3 Coupe released in 1998. If the idea of a modern …
