If you go to the LA Auto Show, you'll find several Vipers holed up in a starkly lit area of the convention center that Ralph Gilles, Dodge brand president, has taken to calling the Snake Pit.
Though the 33-unit run of the Viper ACR 1:33 model, commemorating the Viper ACR's "record" lap of Laguna Seca last week, was the major Viper-related announcement of the show, this Toxic Orange Pearl Coat Viper shows off one of the new paint options for 2010. (Bright Silver Metallic is the other.) Also on display is the red/black Viper ACR that reportedly ran a 7:22 lap on the Nurburgring Nordschleife last year.
The pit also houses an all-black Viper like the one Gilles owns (and has named "Voodoo"). If you like it, perhaps you can be one of 10 people to get it on the 2010 Dodge Viper ACR Voodoo Edition. Yes, apparently, Dodge will only build 10. They'll be black with a graphite stripe outlined in red.
Probably the most provocative thing that Gilles says in the newsy video after the jump is that Dodge isn't exactly sure what else to do with the last 500 Vipers it has committed to building. So if you have zany ideas for a special-edition Viper, look Dodge up on Twitter. You just may have what it takes to do some pro bono product planning for the company currently known as Chrysler. -- Erin Riches, Senior Editor
2009 LA Auto Show: 2010 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR 1:33 Edition
wrinklebump says:
11:20 AM, 12/ 5/09
Shame they're ceasing production. It was always something special seeing a brand new snake burn up an on-ramp.
wrinklebump says:
11:21 AM, 12/ 5/09
And smoke GTRs at the track.
hondacura4 says:
01:08 PM, 12/ 6/09
Although I was fond of the original Viper due to it's overly aggressive styling, I never really cared for the actual car as to me it lacked sophistication, craftsmanship, technology and finesse.
"And smoke GTRs at the track."
@Wrinkle, even though the Viper posted a better lap time around the Ring you have to consider all the advantages the Viper has in place. It's a much lighter stripped down model with substantial power and torque vs a standard GTR yet the GTR was only what....4 secs slower over 13-14 full miles. Given the advantages, the GTR seems like a better executed performance vehicle. I could only imagine if Nissan offered a 2 to 300lb lighter GTR with say 540hp/470tq. I sat this and I don't really care for the GTR but I have to respect the real world performance it puts out as it's incredible for the price.
stoppre75 says:
08:40 AM, 12/ 7/09
Hondaacrua4:
You've never questioned that run by Nissan? No other GTR has come close to putting up numbers like they did that day. As you said, it gives up hundreds of pounds AND over 100hp and still only falls 4 seconds short... How much work would it have really been for them to crank up the boost and let it fly for 8minutes? I'm not a fan of either car, but this Viper is a purpose built machine while the GTR can accomplish civilian duties.
Both car's are very impressive at a track, but the Viper will always win.