Like the original the exhaust exits from each side, and emits a feral snarl much like what a wild beast might sound like if sired by a 427 Cobra and then brought to life by a Ferrari 575M. But be careful the sills are iron hot. What else seers the skin? Not a heck of a lot. My biggest concern is the lack of the gorgeous GTS coupe version first shown at the Detroit Auto Show in 2001. About 25 copies of that car, called Competition Coupe, will make their way into selected owners pit garages for race purposes only. The non-street-legal beast will produce 520-hp and 540 lb-ft of torque and receive a generous dose of Mopar competition parts - is a reenactment of Sebring domination far away?
Other than the demise of the GTS, which will no doubt make a comeback sometime in the future, the new convertible is still a little too hot in the foot wells despite a revised air-conditioning system that now directs a cool breeze down under. Some people will quip about the lack of a power actuated top, but it hardly bothers me. The same goes for the manually operated sport seats. Much appreciated by previous Viper owners - that incidentally make up the buyer's list of the majority of pre-sold 2003 models - will be storage space, highlighted by a locking glovebox and a hydraulically hoisted trunk lid accessing a reasonably sizable cargo area, 240 L (8.4 cu ft) to be exact.
Would I buy it? Absolutely, given a particularly good year in the markets or the realization of that ever imminent major record deal, that somehow escaped me before I passed my prime. Funny thing is that I wouldn't have said that for the previous model. The new Viper SRT-10 is just that more viable to those desiring omnipotent performance while still demanding reasonably comfortable accommodations. The new car delivers, and then some.
- Price (MSRP): $125,600
- Body Type: 2-door convertible
- Layout: Front engine, RWD
- Engine: 500 hp, 525 lb-ft, 8.3-L, 20-valve, OHV, V10
- Transmission: 6-spd man
- Performance (0 - 100 km/h):3.8 seconds
- Brakes (front/rear): disc/disc, ABS
- Curb Weight: 1,536 kg (3,380 lbs)
- Cargo Capacity (trunk): 240 L (8.4 cu ft)
- Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 20.9 / 10.5 L/100 km (2002 specs)
- Warranty (mo/km): 36/60,000 comprehensive - 60/100,000 powertrain
- Direct Competitors:Chevrolet Corvette Z06, BMW Z8, Ferrari 360 Modena, Maserati 4200 GT/Spyder, Porsche 911 Turbo
- Web Site: www.daimlerchrysler.ca
