In the unlikely event that you're not familiar with the Viper, it is a family of poisonous snakes, and an sportscar manufactured by Dodge/Chrysler. The brand has recently been sold to SRT and the all-new Viper has been shown off at the New York Auto Show.
The 2013 SRT Viper offers 640 horsepower and 812Nm of torque, both rather ordinary figures by supercar standards, but there are a few surprises in store: one, in true American muscle-car fashion, that is the most torque available from a naturally-aspirated engine today. Two, that horsepower figure translates to a power-to-weight ratio just shy of the Bugatti Veyron and Ferrari F12 Berlinetta. That means it's ahead of the likes of the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 and Lamborghini Aventador. Now that SRT has you hooked, they lay on another one: you can choose your poison in the form of either the SRT or GTS.
The SRT will offer you the 'standard' package, which includes cruise control for the first time. If you like your suspension with brains and two modes, you can opt for the GTS. That will sure help you exploit the new, 50 per cent stiffer chassis. The other end of the suspension will hold on to Pirelli P-Zeroes that are 295mm wide in the front and an astonishing 355mm wide at the rear. They can be wrapped around one of three different types of wheels, one of which is a lightweight set that is part of the SRT Track Package. Stability and traction control are available, but they can be switched off for a dose of the terror that all Vipers are well-known for. Other surprises include seats from Sabelt (who also supplies Ferrari) and a touchscreen infotainment system mated to a Harmon-Kadon audio system. SRT plans to take the Viper racing in the American Le Mans series this year as well to establish its credibility.
We're glad that the Viper has mellowed down to allow more buyers, but we certainly hope it hasn't lost any of its madness like the passenger footwell that could keep your food warm on your drive. It's part of what made the Viper legend what it is, and if the looks are anything to go by, we've got nothing to worry about.
