The 2013 SRT Viper has officially been revealed at the New York Motor Show this week. The new Viper is available in standard or GTS form, which both get the new Viper logo, named the “Stryker” by the Viper Club of America.
After production stopped in 2010, there were reports that the Viper would not be resurrected, which the group later dismissed. Nevertheless, for a while its future was shaky, a fact acknowledged by the company’s executives. “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”, said SRT boss Ralph Gilles.
Rumours of what engine will power the new supercar have proved true, with the SRT Viper receiving a 8.4-litre V10 producing 470 kW and 813 Nm of torque. It has the most torque of any naturally aspirated engine in the world, thanks to features such as a 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 – 11 kg less than the previous model. The 2013 SRT Viper gets a re-engineered version of the Tremec 6-speed manual found in the previous generation Viper. Modifications include a shorter throw shifter, closer gear ratios and a final drive ratio that has been shortened to 3.55 from 3.07.
The hood, roof and decklid of the 2013 model are made out of carbon fibre, while the doors are aluminum and overall, the bodywork affords the car a lower 0.364 drag coefficient. Inside the plush, driver-oriented cabin are a number of premium features. On the Viper GTS model, all surfaces are fully leather skinned, and standard accent colours are applied to the seats, doors, center console and stitching. Standard high-performance racing seats from Sabelt feature a lightweight Kevlar/fiberglass shell created by resin transfer molding technology for mass reduction and long-term durability.
The chassis, which offers a 50 percent increase in torsional stiffness, features an X-shaped brace that ties the front suspension pickup points to the magnesium cowl. Many areas of the chassis have been redesigned; not only to increase rigidity, but also to reduce weight by nearly 45 kg and the rear suspension has also been tweaked, with the toe link now being in front of the axle improving stability. Standard equipment includes electronic traction and stability control, four-channel ABS and 352 mm disc brakes with four-piston Brembo aluminum calipers all around.
SRT Viper models ride on standard Pirelli P Zero, Z-rated tyres. 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. Additionally, all Vipers now come with a steering-wheel-mounted launch control switch, allowing for optimal acceleration from standing starts.
Release dates and pricing have yet to be released, but SRT is expecting first-year demand to far outstrip its ability to build a few thousand Vipers.
