Reskinned and with varying improvements being made under
the skin including new safety features, better tortional
stiffness and extra power, the Viper has returned, now
dropping the Dodge name to take up the SRT tag. The new
Viper was unveiled to the world yesterday at the New
York International Auto Show.
“After a gut-wrenching period of uncertainty, the Street
and Racing Technology brand team is extremely proud that
our hand-built in Detroit, flagship supercar is back and
ready to take on the performance car world,” believes Ralph
Gilles, President and CEO – Street and Racing Technology
Brand and Motorsports, Chrysler Group LLC. “Beyond being
the flagship for the new SRT brand, the launch of the
2013 Viper proves that we simply would not let the
performance icon of the Chrysler Group die. Willed to
live on by a very special group of performance
enthusiasts inside the company and across Viper Nation,
this SRT team under our new leadership was challenged to
not just continue the legendary Viper, but to create a
world-class supercar that would showcase the very best
we have to offer.”
For the 2013 model year, two new models will be hand built at the Conner Avenue
Assembly Plant in Detroit – the home for Viper since
1995. Both SRT Viper and SRT Viper GTS models offer new
interior and exterior design elements with the use of
carbon fibre and aluminum
on the exterior. On the
inside, designers and engineers strived to improve its
weak cabin and provide better touch points; as well as upgrading
the materials and
technologies.
“The SRT Viper model is meant to offer a perfect blend
of extreme performance and a deliberate preservation of
what has become the iconic DNA of the Viper,” Gilles
continued. “We strove to deliver a supercar that continues
to bring the driver as close as possible to the
machine. We’ve purposely evolved the iconic soul and raw
performance formula that Viper has maintained over the
years. Our returning customers will see
the world-class levels of pride, quality and hand
craftsmanship built into the 2013 Viper. With two price
classes of the SRT Viper and SRT Viper GTS, we have
offerings for both the traditional core Viper customer
and for the new customer who wants the same performance
in a package with more technology and premium creature
comforts.”
The rejigged Viper retains the venerable, hand-assembled 8.4-liter all-aluminum,
V-10 overhead-valve engine.
Improvements for the 2013 model include a new, ultra-high flow and
lightweight composite intake manifold, high-strength
forged pistons, sodium-filled exhaust valves, new
catalysts to reduce back pressure and an aluminum
flywheel that reduces reciprocating losses. More than 25
pounds has been shaved from the fully dressed engine.
Preliminary performance ratings for the SRT-engineered
V-10 Viper are a less than earth shattering 640 horsepower and 600 lb.-ft. of torque
– the most torque of any naturally aspirated engine in
the world.
The Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual transmission has been
improved, claims SRT, with a shorter throw shifter, closer gear
ratios and a final drive ratio that has been shortened
to 3.55 from 3.07. The 2013 Viper models will be more
engaging to drive and top speed is now achieved through
6th gear with maximum engine speed (redline) at 6,200
rpm.
Starting with a stiffer structure that provides
50 percent more torsional rigidity, the chassis of the Viper benefits from numerous enhancements –
many learned through racing efforts with Viper GTS-R and
Competition Coupe models.
Major updates include the addition of a new aluminum “X”
brace under the hood that ties the suspension pickup
points to the magnesium cowl super casting and
contributes to improved torsional rigidity and
stiffness. A new aluminum impact beam at the front of
the car contributes to overall mass savings and improved
weight distribution while providing excellent
crashworthiness.
Structurally, many areas of the chassis were reworked to
take advantage of new materials, reduce thickness in
some areas and reshape components for more structural
rigidity in others. The result is an overall weight
savings of approximately 100 pounds.
At the rear, the suspension has been re-engineered with
the toe link moved forward of the axle for better tow
control and dynamic stability.
A new, driver selectable two-mode suspension system,
featuring Bilstein DampTronic Select shock absorbers
with both street and track settings, is standard on GTS
models. New Viper models ride on standard Pirelli P
Zero, Z-rated tires with substantially improved overall
performance, cold weather performance, enhanced overall
grip and steering response on a variety of road surfaces
while also broadening the performance envelope. An
optional SRT Track Package features Pirelli P Zero Corsa,
“soft”-tuned, "racing-type" compound tires that improve
handling and precision further on the road or the race
track.
For the first time in this elderly sports car several
long since recognised safety technologies become
standard such as
electronic stability control and traction control to help
to maximize traction performance at virtually any speed
and driving environment.
All 2013 Viper models will come with a
steering-wheel-mounted launch control switch, allowing
for optimal acceleration from standing starts.
Stopping performance for the 2013 SRT Viper is
engineered to provide shorter stopping distances, better
modulation, improved durability and balanced brake
performance without fading under extreme conditions.
Four-piston Brembo brakes with fixed-aluminum calipers,
and vented rotors with a diameter of 355 mm by 32 mm,
are used at all four corners. Brake calipers are forged
and weight optimized by fully machining all surfaces.
The calipers are among the stiffest available with
distortion from heat nearly eliminated even under the
most demanding braking conditions.
The available SRT Track Package features lightweight and
slotted two-piece rotors from StopTech.
One of the Viper's weakest points, the cabin,
has been revamped.
For the first time, all major interior surfaces are sewn
and wrapped with additional padding applied in comfort
areas. On the Viper GTS model, all surfaces are fully
leather skinned, and standard accent colors are applied
to the seats, doors, center console and stitching.
Quality fit and finish across the lineup is showcased by
triple-paint-finished gun metal appliqués on the cluster
bezel, HVAC outlets, window switch bezels, shifter base,
park brake bezel and the integrated passenger grab
handle on the center console.
Standard high-performance racing seats from Sabelt
feature a lightweight Kevlar/fiberglass shell created by
a state-of-the-art resin transfer molding technology for
mass reduction and long-term durability. Both driver and
passenger enjoy improved comfort from thigh support and
deep side bolsters designed to match the extreme lateral
acceleration capabilities of the Viper.
Seating position in the Viper models is 20 mm
lower for more room and enhanced performance-driving
ergonomics. Seat travel is extended by 90 mm overall,
which enables expanded seating options from a more
rearward positioned bulkhead. For the first time, seat
height can be adjusted by up to 40 mm – manually on the
SRT model and power controlled on the GTS.
The new Viper is the most spacious model in the
history of the nameplate. The floor pan and bulkhead
have been extended approximately 90 mm to provide
improved legroom and more rearward seat track movement.
Designed specifically for the 2013 SRT Viper, the new
7-inch, full-color, customizable instrument cluster
display uses a full-time analog tachometer readout in
the center to confirm the performance driving feedback
philosophy of the Viper. Drivers have a wide range of
custom and personal options such as an additional
digital speedometer readout just below the tachometer.
The vehicle information is clearly communicated with
easy-to-understand icons. Intuitively controlled through
a simple four-way steering-wheel control, the driver can
configure the screens to display the information they
desire, easily mixing and matching information.
The Viper lineup includes Chrysler's Uconnect Access in-vehicle connectivity
system that provides drivers with access to more
information, emergency services, more entertainment and
improved graphics.
Viper customers can choose between two Uconnect Media
Centers, RA3 and RA4, which provide a range of new
features and multiple ways to control media in the
vehicle. The system includes an 8.4-inch touchscreen
along with a set of hard keys for commonly used
functions, including traditional knobs for tuning the
radio bands and radio volume. Touchscreen buttons along
the bottom of the screen allow drivers to easily access
the radio, climate controls, navigation, phone, and new,
select, certified applications. The new, highly sculpted
steering wheel has a host of finger-tip mounted controls
for audio, Uconnect, cruise control (first application)
and launch control.
SiriusXM Travel Link also is available with Uconnect,
providing premium data services and information to make
every trip more efficient. SiriusXM Traffic works with
the vehicle’s navigation system to display traffic speed
and traffic flow information along with accident
information to assist drivers in routing around
congested areas. An expanded SiriusXM channel lineup
includes exclusive programming, including the new
SiriusXM Latino channels, an auto industry first.
A range of Harman Kardon surround-sound systems are
available across the Viper lineup that feature the
latest in audio system technology. All Harman Kardon
audio systems include a high-voltage class D amplifier
with tracking power supply and up to 11 channels of
amplification. The Harman Kardon system with exclusive
Logic 7 surround-sound processing is available in the
Viper GTS model with a total of 18-speakers, including
four subwoofers located behind the seats. All Harman
Kardon systems in the 2Viper lineup include
high-performance, high-efficiency GreenEdge technology
loudspeakers that are extremely light and include rare
earth magnets. The magnets inside each speaker ensure
efficient speaker operation and enhanced performance.
The audio systems operate on 32 volts – so the new and
improved sound system achieves more than double the
acoustic power of the current system.
The exterior of the Viper also gets a makeover although
the basic shape is retained as the overall project has
much been about keeping costs down. The new front end
has a generic large front engined car feel, without too
much design effort being expended. The carbon-fibre
bonnet, roof, tailgate and aluminum
door panels are firsts for the Viper however resulting in
weight reduction and claimed improved high-speed
stability. Drag is an unremarkable .364 Cd.
The forward-hinged hood carries the redesigned Viper
badge, positioned in the center; and offers
unobtrusive access to several service points and the SRT-engineered
V-10 powerplant.
The classical low-stance and the extreme cab rearward
proportions that have become part of the unmistakable silhouette,
are retained for the new Viper
models along with the fender “gills” – another
traditional Viper design cue that helps to extract heat
from the engine compartment.
The Viper models feature a contemporary take on the
traditional “double-bubble” roof configuration that
maximizes headroom for the driver and passenger while
maintaining a low frontal area – allowing additional
room for helmets during recreational competitive
driving.
Dual-function, bi-xenon projector headlamps are tightly
packaged with white light-emitting diode (LED) daytime
running lamps and LED turn signals.
Functional “blisters” incorporated into the 70 mm
projector headlamp lenses create a three-dimensional
view that gives Viper a distinctive glare. The
lower-front grille tries to impose current Dodge design
language onto the new Viper but at first glance this
doesn't appear to have been carried off too well.
The exhaust system continues to exit forward of the rear
wheels and now carries further refinement with cast
aluminum, sill-mounted exhaust bezels. For the first
time, the Viper models carry LED
tail lamps (which mimic Maserati's GranTurismo) that integrate stop-and-turn illumination in
one element. Snakeskin texture in the lens carries the
surface work seen in the gills and hood textures. With
dark-masked lenses, the horizontal lamps appear dark
until the LED elements fire. Each lamp carries 50 LEDs
that provide a unified “crystallized” illumination
effect.
The five-spoke, forged-aluminum “Rattler” wheel design
on the Viper model is available with fully polished
(standard), fully painted Hyper Black or fully painted
low-gloss black finishes.
The Viper GTS has a split six-spoke forged-aluminum
“Venom” wheel design with three available finishes,
including polished face with graphite-painted pockets
(standard), fully painted Hyper Black or fully painted
low-gloss black.
Available SRT Track Package wheels are
ultra-lightweight, track-ready wheels in Hyper Black or
matte black finishes.
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