2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe Preview

Of course the Viper Coupe's real performance payoff over the roadster is its stiffer overall structure. Rather than the

Dodge began with the already reinforced roadster and constructed the coupe to extremely high torsional rigidity tolerances. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada)

convention of building a convertible model from a hardtop, Dodge began with the already reinforced roadster and constructed the coupe to extremely high torsional rigidity tolerances. It features a backbone tubular space frame with separate cowl structure, plus SMC and RIM body panels, aluminum sills, RIM front and rear fascias with composite impact beams. In English, the 2003 roadster was 31 percent stiffer than the old roadster, and even more rigid than the old GTS coupe. The new coupe should be rock solid.

Other benefits are improved aerodynamics with enhanced downforce properties, characteristic of the sloping rear glass and Kamm tail, which should grant the coupe a higher top speed and better at-the-limit road-holding.

But, of course, it's the Viper's race-bred, 4-wheel independent suspension

The new SRT10 Coupe is finished off with a set of forged aluminum wheels, 18 by 10 inches in the front and 19 by 13 in the rear. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada)

that will keep it glued to the tarmac. It features lightweight, high-performance cast-aluminum unequal-length upper and lower A-arms front and rear, coil springs and lightweight low-pressure gas-charged shock absorbers front and rear, a stabilizer bar at both ends, plus toe-control links in the back. /p>

The new SRT10 Coupe is finished off with a set of forged aluminum wheels, 18 by 10 inches in the front and 19 by 13 in the rear, wrapped in P275/35 ZR18 front, P345/30 ZR19 rear, Michelin ZP (zero pressure) run-flat tires complemented by a low-pressure sensor in each valve stem.