Putting power to pavement, 19 x 13 inch forged-aluminum rear wheels covered with 345/30ZR19 Michelin tires offer seemingly unlimited adhesion - about 1.15 Gs according to Dodge. Actually the new Viper uses the widest stock rear wheel and tire package available in North America. Those on the front, a slightly smaller set of 18 x 10-inch wheels and 275/35ZR18 tires, are also up to the task - BTW, they're run-flats so no space robbing, weight hogging spare is needed or included. Even with this sizeable rubber it was possible to light up the rear, yet a new Dana 44-4 Hydra-Lok torque-sensing, limited-slip differential limits this immature behavior keeping the majority of power under control.
And power it has. It's difficult to imagine 500 horsepower without actually experiencing it. It's at least as challenging to conceive of 525 lb-ft of torque. After all, I've driven quite a few cars that come close to the Viper's horsepower rating - particularly sweet 485-hp Ferrari 550 Maranello comes to mind. While impressive its 421 lb-ft of torque was down more than 100 lb-ft while it weighed a significant 1,690 kg (3,726 lb), 157 kg (346 lb) more than the relatively sprite 1,536 kg (3,380 lb) Viper - the 2003 model has itself lost 28 kg (62 lb) since last year. Upping the hand-build V10's displacement 300 cc to 8.3-L, adding new and improved cylinder heads, all-new cast aluminum pistons, lighter cracked steel connecting rods, wet-sump oil system with twin cast in wing tanks, and the list goes on and on, has produced the desired effect. The Viper accelerates with even greater intent. Its 3.8 second 0 to 60 (96.6 km/h) blast is nothing less than awe inspiring. Zero to 100 mph (161 km/h) to 0 takes only 13 seconds while top speed is not rev limited to 304 km/h (190 mph). The usual giggles of adrenaline induced joy that accompany rapid acceleration in a sports car are instantly stifled, replaced with reverent deference.