2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe Preview

The GTS is Back in a Big Way

I remember how giddy I was when I received the invitation to join Chrysler Group in Santa Barbara, California for the introduction

"We wanted the 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe design to include a nod to the original Viper GTS Coupe, but in a contemporary way," said Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President, Design. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada)

of the Viper SRT10 back in the summer of 2002.

I have to admit to being a little intimidated too, after hearing so many stories about the unwieldy nature of Dodge's racetrack-bred supercar. Fortunately for me, not as familiar with track cars as some of the more seasoned journalists that frequently attend such launches, the completely reworked 2003 Viper was a lot more forgiving than the previous generation RT/10.

I also found its styling more

I can still remember the feeling I got when I received an invitation to test drive the completely reworked 2003 Viper SRT10 back in the summer of 2002. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

sophisticated, having never completely warmed up to the pumped up muscularity of the outgoing car. The SRT10 seemed leaner, more finely sculpted than the old Viper, and overall more European.

But not everyone was as impressed as I was. I overheard some of my colleagues complaining that the new car didn't appear as omnipotent as its predecessor, a grumbling that was reiterated by the president of the Viper club who was also on hand for the launch.