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New Models
AUTOS: 2013 SRT Viper Unveiled
Chrysler’s new SRT division introduces its 640-horsepower flagship at the New York Auto Show.
The 2013 SRT Viper unveiled at the New York Auto Show features the most powerful naturally aspirated engine in a production car. (Photo: SRT)
This is the moment Viper fans have been waiting two years for: the 2013 SRT Viper has made its official world debut.
The introduction of the latest Viper also marks the beginning of Chrysler’s new division, SRT (Street and Racing Technology), which evolves from its performance and tuning roots into a standalone brand complete with its own flagship.
As for the new Viper, the basic recipe is much the same, although it’s been enhanced in almost every possible way.
The Viper, now in its fifth generation, returns to the market with more power and performance, superior craftsmanship, new technologies and more creature comforts.
There are also three models being introduced, two for road use and one for racing. The road cars are the Viper and Viper GTS, while racing fans will soon be lapping up the awesome Viper GTS-R in endurance racing. Importantly, by offering both a basic Viper and more plush Viper GTS for road use, SRT can cater to both the traditional core Viper customer and the new customer who wants the same performance in a package with more technology and premium features.
Power for both comes from an aluminum 8.4-liter V10 tuned to an estimated 640 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque, the most torque of any naturally aspirated sports-car engine in the world.
It is based on the previous model’s V10 but improvements for 2013 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 have been shaved from the fully dresseengine.
The Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual transmission has been improved 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 should thus be more engaging to drive and top speed is now achieved through 6th gear with the engine redlining at 6,200 rpm.
Starting with a stiffer structure that provides 50 percent more torsional rigidity, the chassis of the 2013 SRT Viper also benefits from numerous enhancements, many of them 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 improved 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 saving of approximately 100 pounds, making this the lightest Viper yet.
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.
The introduction of the latest Viper also marks the beginning of Chrysler’s new division, SRT (Street and Racing Technology), which evolves from its performance and tuning roots into a standalone brand complete with its own flagship.
As for the new Viper, the basic recipe is much the same, although it’s been enhanced in almost every possible way.
The Viper, now in its fifth generation, returns to the market with more power and performance, superior craftsmanship, new technologies and more creature comforts.
There are also three models being introduced, two for road use and one for racing. The road cars are the Viper and Viper GTS, while racing fans will soon be lapping up the awesome Viper GTS-R in endurance racing. Importantly, by offering both a basic Viper and more plush Viper GTS for road use, SRT can cater to both the traditional core Viper customer and the new customer who wants the same performance in a package with more technology and premium features.
Power for both comes from an aluminum 8.4-liter V10 tuned to an estimated 640 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque, the most torque of any naturally aspirated sports-car engine in the world.
It is based on the previous model’s V10 but improvements for 2013 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 have been shaved from the fully dresseengine.
The Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual transmission has been improved 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 should thus be more engaging to drive and top speed is now achieved through 6th gear with the engine redlining at 6,200 rpm.
Starting with a stiffer structure that provides 50 percent more torsional rigidity, the chassis of the 2013 SRT Viper also benefits from numerous enhancements, many of them 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 improved 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 saving of approximately 100 pounds, making this the lightest Viper yet.
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.
2014 Cadillac CTS
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