2008 Dodge Viper
SRT-10
The snake's out of the bag now, and the big news is a bump in
displacement for the Viper's V10 motor from 8.3 liters to 8.4, which is
accompanied by a corresponding increase in power to the aforementioned
600 hp (up 90 hp) and 560 ft-lbs. of torque (an increase of 25). As many
already know, McLaren Performance Technologies (the U.S. company, not
the German one associated with Mercedes-Benz) assisted Dodge in
massaging the V10, though one could still argue that with 8.4-liters of
displacement, the Viper's engine is still not reaching its full
potential.
The only change to the car's exterior is the new hood with six vents
that will help dissipate the crazy amount of heat coming from below. Of
course, heat will likely waft off the new Viper pretty fast considering
its owners will be able to reach 60 mph even faster, sometime in the mid
to high 3-second range, and return back to 0 mph in less than 100 ft.
Other improvements to the Dodge Viper including a beefed up Tremec T56
six-speed transmission and twin-disc clutch that replaces the current
model's single-disc unit. A new limited-slip diff supposedly allows the
engine's grunt to get to the ground more often than before, and the
Viper's tires are now longer run-flats, though they're still the same
size.
In the realm of style, customers can now order their Viper with three
wheel designs and five new colors including Venom Red, Snakeskin Green,
Viper Violet, Viper Orange and Bright Blue.
PRESS RELEASE:
Even More Venom: Dodge Unleashes New 600-horsepower 2008 Viper SRT10
Additional 90 horsepower on tap from new 8.4-liter Viper SRT10 V-10
engine
Dramatic new hood features restyled, functional air extractors
0-60 mph in under four seconds, 0-100-0 mph in just over 12 seconds,
braking in under 100 feet
New exterior, interior colors provide customers with increased
customization options
The new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 boasts more of what performance
aficionados crave: kick-in-the-pants, throw-back-in-the-seat power,
combined with benchmark braking, world-class ride and handling, a
race-inspired interior and bold exterior styling.
While every SRT vehicle offers balanced, overall performance, the heart
and soul of the new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 is its standout power train.
For 2008, SRT ups the ante with a new, 8.4-liter aluminum V-10 engine
that produces an astounding 600 horsepower and 560 lb.-ft. of torque.
"A legendary big-game hunter once said, 'Bring enough gun!' – and with
the new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10, we've created some very powerful
artillery for sports-car enthusiasts," said Kipp Owen, Director – Street
and Racing Technology (SRT) Engineering, Chrysler Group. "With 600
horsepower – 90 more than before - and 0-to-60 performance in less than
four seconds, the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 sets a new benchmark for the
ultimate American sports car."
The new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 will arrive in Dodge showrooms in North
America this summer with a new level of customization options, including
five new exterior colors, four new interior color combinations and a new
wheel design.
Standout Power train
When SRT power train engineers set out to get more venom from the 2008
Dodge Viper SRT10's power plant, their objectives included not only
increasing performance, but also complying with stringent regulatory
requirements, such as federal Tier 2, Bin 5 and California's Low
Emissions Vehicle (LEV) 2 mandates.
Working with specialists from McLaren Performance Technologies and
Ricardo, Inc., SRT engineers began by following the racer's basic
formula for more power: bigger displacement, more efficient breathing
and higher engine speed.
The new Dodge Viper SRT10's deep-skirted V-10 aluminum engine block was
revised for a 1-millimeter larger bore, raising the displacement to 8.4
liters from 8.3 liters. With strengthened bulkheads and improved water
jackets for better cooling, the block includes pressed-in iron cylinder
liners and cross-bolted main bearing caps for strength and durability.
The Viper SRT10's 8.4-liter engine breathes through new cylinder heads
equipped with Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC)-shaped combustion
chambers, larger valves and Variable Valve Timing (VVT). VVT
electronically adjusts when the exhaust valves are open and closed
according to engine speed and load, allowing the engine to "breathe"
cleaner and more efficiently.
The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 V-10's two-piece intake manifold combines a
cast aluminum lower with smooth runners for better air flow, bolted to a
die-cast aluminum upper plenum. A revised air-cleaner box with a
low-restriction filter sends air through a dual electronic throttle
control into the intake module.
The air-fuel mixture in the cylinders is ignited by platinum-tip spark
plugs fired by new individual plug coils mounted on the cylinder-head
covers.
Within the cylinders, pistons are equipped with larger-diameter floating
pins with bronze bushings for high-load capability. Forged powder-metal
connecting rods are secured with aircraft-quality fasteners for
increased fatigue strength.
Engine lubrication is managed by a larger oil pump and a swinging oil
pickup adapted from Viper competition engines, to improve oil pressure
in high-rpm and hard-cornering conditions.
Spent gases exit through tubular air-gap headers, which not only improve
exhaust flow, but also ensure quick catalyst light-off for improved
emission control. The headers' stamped stainless-steel outer shell acts
as a thermal heat shield for the individual stainless-steel runners that
contribute to better flow separation and exhaust tuning.
SRT engineers didn't stop there. Upgrades were developed to handle the
8.4-liter V-10's increased horsepower and torque levels, while improving
traction, drivability – and durability.
The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10's V-10 channels its power through a new,
smaller-diameter, twin-disc clutch (a change from the previous
larger-diameter, single-disc setup). The new clutch reduces rotating
inertia by 18 percent, resulting in reduced clutch-pedal effort and
improved engagement feel.
The transmission is the latest evolution of the Tremec T56 six-speed
manual, known as the TR6060. It features 10 percent wider gears for
higher torque capacity and a new synchronizer package. A new shifter
system results in reduced shifter travel. Club racers will applaud a new
provision for adding an external transmission cooler.
Benchmark Braking
Stopping power is another key attribute of the Dodge Viper SRT10
formula, with 14-inch brake rotors gripped by Brembo 44/40 dual opposing
piston calipers in the front and Brembo 42/38 dual opposing calipers in
the rear. An anti-lock braking system (ABS) prevents lockup during hard
braking. This system results in a benchmark braking performance of
60-to-0 mph in less than 100 feet.
World-class Ride and Handling
The ride and handling of the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 is defined by a
race-bred, fully independent, four-wheel suspension featuring
lightweight, high-performance aluminum control arms and knuckles, damped
by lightweight coil-over shock absorbers.
Where the power goes right to the road, SRT engineers retained the
tried-and-true Dana M44-4 rear axle and outfitted it with a new GKN
Visco-Lok speed-sensing limited-slip differential for improved traction.
The Dodge Viper SRT10 rides on polished, forged aluminum, 18 x 10-inch
front and 19 x 13-inch rear wheels now available in three styles: the
five-spoke, the H-spoke and the all-new Razor wheel with five U-shaped
spokes. The wheels are clad in Michelin® Pilot® Sport PS2 tires. The
four-groove tread-design tires provide maximum grip, reduced road noise
and superior handling in both wet and dry conditions.
Bold Exterior Styling
The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 remains available in two body styles –
Roadster and Coupe. Both feature a dramatic new hood with a larger, more
efficient hood scoop for air induction and larger, functional hood
louvers to facilitate a greater cooling effect for the more powerful
8.4-liter, 600-horsepower V-10 engine underneath.
Eight exterior colors will be introduced throughout the model year –
five of which are all-new including Venom Red, Snakeskin Green, Viper
Violet, Viper Orange and Bright Blue. Racing stripes continue to be an
option with six dual painted stripe colors available: white, black,
silver, graphite, blue and red.
Several exterior differences exist between the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10
Roadster and Coupe. In fact, the only body panels they share are front
fascia and fenders, hood and doors. However, all of the iconic Viper
SRT10 design cues have been maintained including the signature crosshair
grille, deep-cut side scallops, swept-back fenders and lowered hood
lines.
The Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe's hard top with its "double bubble" styling
makes it even more torsionally stiff than the Roadster. The 2008 Dodge
Viper SRT10 Coupe offers increased downforce and high-speed stability
with its sloping roofline and deck-lid spoiler. Plus, the Dodge Viper
SRT10 Coupe has an additional 6.25 cubic feet of trunk space than the
Viper SRT10 Roadster, for a total of 14.65 cubic feet. The roof and
headliner structure offer more room to accommodate a safety cage, while
maintaining as much headroom as possible.
Race-inspired Interior Design
The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 Roadster and Coupe cockpit retains its
characteristic red push-button starter and performance-oriented, highly
functional instrument panel with center-mounted tachometer and 220-mph
speedometer.
Five interior colors will be available in 2008: black, and four new
color combinations in black/red, black/blue, black/slate or
black/natural tan. A choice of bezel finishes on the center instrument
panel and console adds to the increased level of customization.
"The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 delivers die-hard performance enthusiasts a
perfect combination of outrageous power, exceptional performance and
stunning good looks," said Mike Accavitti, Director – Dodge Motorsports
and SRT Marketing and Product Planning. "And now with a whole new range
of interior and exterior colors and options to choose from, the 2008
Dodge Viper SRT10 redefines how a customer can personalize their Viper."
2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 Safety and Security
The following safety and security technologies are featured on the 2008
Dodge Viper SRT10:
Adjustable Pedals: Allow brake and accelerator pedals to move toward or
away from the driver to help driver achieve a safe and comfortable
seating position for improved control
Advanced Multistage Front Air Bags with Occupant Classification System
(OCS): Inflates with a force appropriate to the severity of the impact.
The OCS measures the conditions for activation or deactivation of the
passenger side front air bag based upon the weight of the occupant
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS): Senses and prevents wheel lockup, offering
improved steering control under extreme braking or slippery conditions
BeltAlert: Periodically activates a chime and illuminates an icon in the
instrument cluster to remind the driver and front passenger to buckle up
if a vehicle is driven without the driver being properly belted
Center High-mounted Stop Lamp (CHMSL): The shelf-mounted center high
mounted stop lamp uses light emitting diodes (LEDs) for longer life
Constant Force Retractors (CFR): Distribute force or load exerted on a
seat belt, and then gradually release the seat belt webbing in a
controlled manner
Crumple Zones: Designed to compress during an accident to absorb energy,
decreasing transfer of that energy to the occupants
Energy-absorbing Steering Column: The manual-adjust steering column uses
two hydroformed coaxial tubes that can move relative to each other to
allow the column to move forward for enhanced energy absorption during a
crash. The power-adjust steering column employs a calibrated bending
element that deforms during column stroke for optimal energy management
Interior Head-impact Protection: Interior pillars above the beltline and
instrument panel – including areas around windshield and rear window
headers, roof and side rail structures, and shoulder-belt turning loops
– specifically designed to limit head-impact force
Knee Bolsters: The lower instrument panel and the glove-box door are
designed to properly position the occupant, enabling the air bags to
work effectively
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE): System enhances personal security by locking
and unlocking doors and turning on interior lamps. The system also arms
and disarms the Vehicle Theft Security Alarm
Three-point Seat Belts with Pretensioners: Three-point lap and shoulder
belt retractors incorporate a pretensioning feature to enhance occupant
protection in an impact by managing occupant energy
Tire-pressure Monitoring (TPM): Pressure-sensor modules within the valve
stems of all four wheels send continuous radio-frequency signals to a
receiver, and the system informs occupants when the pressure is too low.
Manufacturing
The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 will be hand-built at the Conner Avenue
Assembly Plant in Detroit. |