2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe Preview

Compared to the old RT/10 and GTS, the hand-build V10's displacement has been upped 300 cc to 8.3L, complemented with new and

The Viper SRT10 Coupe gets a heavy-duty 6-speed manual transmission, featuring a Hurst shifter mechanism and linkage. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada)

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. An amazing 90 percent of the torque is available between 1,500 and 5,600 rpm.

As with most supercars, no automatic transmission is available. The Viper SRT10 Coupe gets a heavy-duty 6-speed manual instead, featuring a Hurst shifter mechanism and linkage, which transfers power to the rear wheels via a Dana 44-4 Hydra-Lok speed-sensing limited-slip differential.

Taming the overzealous acceleration are Brembo 44/40 dual opposing piston calipers up front and Brembo 42/38 dual opposing calipers in the rear, clamping down on four 355.0

"The bottom line is that the new Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe's design says a lot about its unique character." (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada)

by 32 mm (14.0 by 1.26 inch) rotors, enhanced with ABS. Bringing the coupe from 60 mph to standstill takes less than 100 feet, according to Dodge.

In town, the roadster was much more docile than I initially expected, using its gobs of torque to rumble away from stoplights without even the need to depress the throttle. The new coupe should perform similarly, making morning and evening commutes user friendly, and conversely, weekend getaways to the track memorable.

"The Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe owner is often a racer, and the car has to scream that, even when it's idling at the stoplight," Creed added. "The bottom line is that the new Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe's design says a lot about its unique character, and the car's performance is the payoff."