It may not be an all-new car for the
LA Auto Show, but the last of the current Dodge Viper models is mesmerising show-goers with its final bite. Straight from setting a new production car lap record at the Laguna Seca circuit of 1:33.915, the Viper SRT10 ACR had a quick wash and brush up to be on Dodge's show stand.
Honed on the circuit for committed enthusiasts, the SRT10 ACR is the most focused Viper ever. Dodge brand chief Ralph Gilles told us an all-new Viper will arrive in 2012 but that they wanted to leave on a high.
What a high: the ACR continues to use the 8.4-litre V10 engine with 600bhp and 560lb.ft of torque. With revised gearing, the 2010 Viper gets from 0-60mph in 3.8 seconds, while top speed increases to 184mph. The new model also takes a whole 14 seconds less time to reach its top speed than the previous Viper thanks to shorter intermediate gear ratios.
The improved top speed is largely down to better aerodynamics, which is clearly visible on the LA show car's huge rear wing. New end plates and a redesigned Gurney flap - the small lip at the rear edge of the spoiler - help smooth the airflow over the wing for greater downforce but also less drag for a higher top speed. These changes are partly a result of testing on Germany's Nürburgring circuit.
Production is set to continue until the last of 500 Vipers is built around July of 2010. Prices start at about $110,000 in the US and none will be officially imported to the UK.
Alisdair Suttie - 2 Dec 2009