American icon hisses at worldwide recognition

Dodge Viper slithers dangerously!

Vital stats

Manufacturer: Dodge

Model: SRT-10 (Phase 2)

Years: 1992 - present

Latest: 2013 model (MK5)

Body: 2 door , 2 seat sports coupe / convertible

Layout: Front mounted engine with rear wheel drive

Engine: 8.4 Litre V10  

Transmission: 6 speed manual 

Power: 450 kw (South Africa)

Torque: 760 Nm

0-100 km/h: 3.4 (claimed)

The Dodge Viper, although quite a young brand, embodies the spirit of the American muscle car. Timeless design, large capacity engine and effortless power and grunt characterise this mean machine. The Viper was first produced in 1992 with an 8 litre V10 powerplant at its heart and a sub 5 second sprint to 100km/h ability. It is often mistakenly thought to compete directly with the likes of the Corvette but is infact more of a supercar despite the similarities. 

Through the years, the Viper's external design has been too conservative with Chrysler refusing to temper with its rising star's success formula. Fundamentally too, the car changed little retaining its V10 and six speed manual transmission configuration but increasing power output significantly with each generation. Perhaps because of its left hand drive only limitation as well as the perception that American cars cant corner the Viper's imposing  presence has remained obscured  from much of the world. It took a colossus effort in the form of the fourth gebneration GTS and SRT -10 to haul back the brand from obscurity. This generation proved its worth as a Supercar by being faster around the bends that established race cars such as the Porsche  GT3, the Nissan GTR and even the surefooted Audi R8. 

For 2013, the Viper has shed its skin and comes in a visibly apparent and quite stunning shape. So significant is this car's departure from the old design that it will be called the SRT Viper and no longer be known as a Dodge.