Barely Legal And Unapologetic

BY TAKING THE '08 DODGE VIPER SRT10 up to 600 hp, the folks at Chrysler LLC haven't just swiped the power crown in American sports cars from the venerable Chevrolet Corvette, they've stomped on it, given it a swift kick to the curb and finished with a chin flick to their Detroit rivals.

Of course, engineers at General Motors Corp. have made it known since Dodge first announced specifications on the new Viper in January that they're at work on a revolution of sorts themselves — a not-so-top-secret, 650-hp Corvette, reportedly called the ZR1. The word on the street is GM is readying the ZR1 for the '09 model year.

Bring it on, Team Viper taunts. In addition to 600 hp, the fourth-generation Viper delivers 560 lb.-ft. (759 Nm) of torque, enough to send the car to 60 mph (97 km/h) in less than 4 seconds. The vehicle is capable of 200 mph (322 km/h), Dodge says.

Engineers trace the performance boost back to displacement gains and a more efficient breathing system, evidenced by Viper's dramatically enlarged hood louvers and redesigned hood scoop.

The '08 Viper retains the deep-skirted aluminum V-10 engine block from the '02 model, but up to 60 additional horsepower comes directly via new cylinder heads from Linamar Corp. that feature CNC-milled combustion chambers, larger valves and variable-valve-timing. Tubular air-gap headers improve exhaust flow.

To help put the added power to the pavement, engineers added a new, smaller-diameter, twin-disc clutch that reduces rotation inertia 18% and improves clutch feel. The Tremec T56 6-speed transmission also adds 10% wider gears to handle the extra torque.

All that and the new Viper still meets federal Tier 2, Bin 5 and California Low Emission Vehicle 2 regulations.

The driving experience is overwhelming, unless you get paid to drive fast in circles on Sundays. For the modestly initiated, the Viper's extra 90 hp stays in the paddock.

Sure, there's seemingly endless power to carry the Viper around the Virginia International Raceway, without exiting third gear save for several brief seconds down the track's two straightaways.

Then again, that's also what historically has separated the Viper from the Corvette. Since its debut in 1991, the Viper has catered to a more discriminating skill set, or at least the monied few unafraid to drop $85,000 on a car and then push it to the limit on rented track time.

The '08 version retains its raw connection to the track by continuing to eschew traction and stability control. Since the suspension communicates so closely with the roadway, the Viper's ride ranks from exhausting during long commutes to superb during more aggressive driving at the raceway.

The Viper's handling rates among the best American manufacturers can provide, thanks to a nearly perfect 50/50 weight distribution and a fully independent 4-wheel suspension with lightweight, high-performance aluminum control arms, dampened by lightweight coil-over-tube shock absorbers.

Taken together, the powertrain upgrades and taught suspension setup make for spectacular fun on the track. The added power are discernable in and out of VIR's tight turns, while the beefed-up rear axle, massive rear tires and big brakes boost confidence through the corners.

The new Viper best displays that combination on the raceway's northern most section, punctuated by hard braking on a sweeping downhill turn. The Viper's smooth clutch, short throws and enormously wide power band easily make up for any driver inadequacies.

Out on the freeway, the Viper won't be confused with more touring-minded sports cars. Dodge has never apologized for the vehicle's utter rawness, and every peck in the road that thumps the backside serves as a reminder of its barely legal setup.

The car still presents a surprise or two, however. During the return drive south to Durham, NC, an afternoon cloudburst soaked the roadway, reducing visibility to a matter of feet. A white-knuckle ride, for sure, with thoughts of becoming the latest addition to wreckedexotics.com, but the Viper splashed through without incident.

The '08 Viper might be more forgiving, but kinder and gentler it is not. There's plenty of opportunity to go from zero to a pile of twisted metal in seconds.

Viper enthusiasts will find the same back-to-basics template, and the lucky few newbies writing the check for the first time will find it surprisingly patient.

The competition, meanwhile, just finds itself playing catch-up.

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'08 Dodge Viper SRT10

Vehicle type: Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive 2-door coupe/convertible

Engine: 8.4L (510 cu. in.) OHV V-10 aluminum block/aluminum heads

Power: (SAE net) 600 hp (450 KW) @ 6,100 rpm

Torque: 560 lb.-ft. (760 Nm) @ 5,000 rpm

Transmission: 6-speed manual

Wheelbase: 98.8 ins. (251 cm)

Overall length: 175.6 ins. (446 cm)

Curb weight: coupe, 3,450 lbs. (1,564.9 kg); convertible 3,440 lbs. (1560.4 kg)

Base price: $84,745 (coupe); $83.995 (droptop)

City/highway mpg: 13/22 (18.1/10.7 L/100 km)

Competition: Chevy Corvette Z06, Porsche GT3