One thing I like about the our long-term 2009 Dodge Viper's cockpit is the close proximity of the center stack to the steering wheel. The audio and climate controls are just a finger's stretch from the 3 o'clock position. This is a good thing, because as you can imagine, the Viper isn't the kind of car where you can rest a hand on the top of the steering wheel and keep it pointed straight down the freeway. Rather, it's pretty much a track car, and minute steering inputs (intended or otherwise) will immediately affect its heading.
That's why I like the three large climate dials. They're scaled like fat crayons for preschoolers, and they're easy to adjust quickly. The fan speed dial is hidden by the shifter in this shot, but once you're in fifth or sixth gear, it's mostly unobstructed.
The audio controls are another matter. This is Chrysler's old-style head unit where you'll find such anachronisms as a two-state procedure for storing radio presets. It's a mess to use while you're driving a Viper, but this wasn't a problem over the summer, because I'd just put on a baseball game on AM radio, and forget about it. Even with the season is over for my teams, I'm still (wisely) leaving the head unit alone. It's either public radio news now or just the rumbly Viper soundtrack all the way down the freeway.
Erin Riches, Senior Editor @ 17,612 miles
milt721 says:
07:47 AM, 10/18/10
I love how the Viper's gauges aren't back lit, more like perimeter lit.
And the two-stage preset procedure is better than having to cycle through FM1, FM2, and FM3 when you are scanning stations.