VIDEO: 2010 Dodge Viper ACR-X Racer Driving and Development Footage

Dodge is determined to let the Viper go out with a bang as the company is planning to introduced several limited edition versions of the sports car before production comes to an end in 2010. The third special Viper SRT10 is the ACR-X, a track ready racer boasting a modified V10 with 640 ponies, suspension and aerodynamic improvements as well as all a bevy of safety equipment. Hit the break to watch the video and don't forget to turn up the volume of your speakers to get a taste of the wonderful sounds of Dodge's new limited run 2010 Viper ACR-X.

Dodge Targets Enthusiasts with Race-Ready 2010 Viper SRT10 ACR-X Special

Today, Dodge unveiled the third limited, special-edition version of the soon-to-be-discontinued Viper SRT10 sports car, dubbed ACR-X. Based largely upon the Viper SRT10 ACR, the new model is a turn-key, non-street legal, racer that's powered by a tweaked version of the standard Viper's 8.4-liter V10 that gains new headers and a low-restriction exhaust system, increasing output by 40HP to 640 horsepower.

The Viper SRT10 ACR-X's suspension has been upgraded and tuned specifically for track usage, while the sport car's weight is lightened by 160 pounds (73 kg) over the standard production model.

Dodge said that the car also features additional aerodynamic upgrades to improve downforce as well as to enhance stability and grip in high-speed cornering.

As a track racer, the Viper ACR-X comes with all the usual factory-installed safety equipment such as a factory-designed roll cage, fuel cell and race seat.

Dodge said that during a testing session of the ACR-X at Laguna Seca raceway last month, professional driver Kuno Wittmer from the SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge Touring Car Championship series, was able to run consistent 1:31.00 lap times around the 2.238-mile, 11-turn course.

This means that Wittmer's lap times were more than 3 seconds faster than the street-legal Viper SRT10 ACR which holds the production car track record at Laguna Seca raceway.

"The Dodge Viper ACR-X is incredible," said Wittmer. "After a short warm up, I was running lap times as quick as exotic GT race cars. I was blown away by the power and acceleration, and even more surprised at how the ACR-X navigated the challenging Laguna Seca corners and how friendly it was to drive at the limit."

The limited production 2010 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR-X will go on sale in the States in Spring 2010 with prices starting from around $110,000.

LA Show: Dodge Celebrates Viper SRT10's Final Year with Special Editions and Minor Tweaks

Towards the end of 2010, Dodge will cease production of its Viper sports car that was first introduced in 1992. To celebrate the final production of the current generation Viper SRT10, Dodge is adding new colors, improving performance and introducing a series of special edition models. All in all, the Detroit automaker plans to build around 500 Vipers for the last model year.

Changes for the 'base' 2010 Viper SRT10 Roadster and Coupe models are limited to the introduction of two new exterior colors –Toxic Orange Pearl Coat and Bright Silver Metallic Clear Coat, and a shorter fifth gear ratio (changing from 0.74 to 0.80) for improved high-speed acceleration and higher straightaway speeds.

Power continues to come from a 8.4-liter V10 engine with 600HP and 560 lb.-ft. (760 Nm) of torque, with Dodge claiming a 0-60 mph (96 km/h)in under 4 seconds, quarter-mile time in the mid 11-second range and 0-100-0 mph in 11 seconds flat, and a top speed of 202 mph or 325 km/h.

Body style offerings remain unchanged with the availability of Roadster and Coupe models along with the ACR (American Club Racer) package

The hardcore Viper SRT10 ACR which recently set a new lap record at the Laguna Seca raceway, gets a new short-throw shifter and a redesigned rear wing profile and end plates in 2010. Dodge said that these changes combined with the new fifth gear ratio result in an increased top speed of 4 mph, to 184 mph (296km/h) for the ACR model.

At the Los Angeles Auto Show, Dodge introduced the first two of a series of special edition models of the Viper that are to come in 2010.

First up is the Viper ACR 1:33 Edition, which pays tribute to the new production car lap record set on Nov. 24 at Laguna Seca raceway. It features a unique two-tone Black Clear Coat / Red Clear Coat exterior color scheme which is the exact opposite of the original ACR model. Interior highlights include piano black console bezels with red gauge highlights complemented with red accent stitching in the seats. Production will be limited to 33 cars.

The second special model is the Vooodoo-edition Viper ACR that gets an all Black Clear Coat exterior with a Graphite Driver's Stripe outlined in red. Only 10 examples of this model will be built.

More details and pricing on all 2010 Dodge Vipers will be announced at a later date.

2010 Dodge Viper SRT10

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2010 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR

2010 Dodge Viper ACR to Debut at LA Show, Breaks Lap Record at Laguna Seca [with VIDEO]

The subtly revised 2010 Dodge Viper ACR, which is set to make its world premiere at next month's Los Angeles Auto Show, has set a new lap record at the Laguna Seca with a time of 1:33.915 as recorded by Motech in-vehicle data recorder (1:33.944'' as unofficially recorded by trackside clock) breaking the previous lap record of 1.35.117 set by a Devon GTX this past August. The 2010 Dodge Viper ACR was piloted by SRT vehicle dynamics engineer, Chris Winkler.

"It was definitely exciting but a somewhat uneventful lap overall from behind the steering wheel," said Winkler. "The Dodge Viper ACR has amazing power and handles like a dream, so following my first practice here last month, I came away pretty confident that we'd be able to set a new record."

In the final year of the Viper's production, the hardcore ACR, (first introduced in 2008), receives a series of upgrades including a shorter fifth gear ratio that changes from 0.74 to 0.80 for improved high-speed acceleration and higher straightaway speed, a new short-throw shifter and a redesigned rear wing to further optimize aerodynamics and improve rear yaw downforce.

Dodge says that these improvements result in an increase in top speed of 4 mph, to 184 mph (296 km/h) for the 2010 model.

There are no other changes for the Viper ACR that is powered by an 8.4-liter V10 engine with 600 horsepower and 560 lb.-ft. of torque, for a 0-60 mph (96km/h) acceleration in under 4 seconds, quarter-mile time in the mid 11-second range and 0-100-0 mph in 11 seconds flat.

Ralph Gilles, President and CEO, Dodge Brand and Senior Vice President, Product Design Office, Chrysler Group LLC, said that the company plans to release several special edition models during the last year of the Viper including a Laguna Seca edition to commemorate the record lap. All in all, around 500 Vipers will be produced in 2010.

VIDEO: D'oh! Edgy Driver in Dodge Viper GTS Slams Into Van

Now here's a nice educational video for all those annoyingly edgy drivers that weave in-and-out of traffic as if the road is an obstacle course. For whatever reasons, a Subaru driver in Chile was tailing / filming a bright-red Dodge Viper GTS on the freeway. The driver of the American sports car was swooping right and left to avoid the traffic when all of a sudden he exited a tunnel only to see that cars in front of him had come to a halt... Watch the video after the jump.

Via: Worldcarfans

It's Alive! Chrysler Decides to Give Dodge Viper SRT10 a Second Chance

Here's some good news for muscle-car enthusiasts. The Chrysler Group announced today the company has decided to continue production of the Dodge Viper SRT10 after all. Following several failed attempts to sell off its Dodge Viper business unit, the Detroit automaker had originally made plans to cease production of the V10-powered sports car in December, 2009. Since the introduction of the first generation Viper in 1995, Dodge has built more than 25,000 Vipers.

"The Dodge Viper has successfully captured the hearts and imagination of performance enthusiasts around the globe," said Mike Accavitti, President and Chief Executive Officer, Dodge Brand. "We're extremely proud that the ultimate American-built sports car with its world-class performance will live on as the iconic image leader for the Dodge brand."

Powered by an 8.4-liter V10 with 600HP that launches the sports car from standstill to 60 mph in under 4,0 seconds, the 2009MY Viper is offered in both coupe and convertible configurations with prices in the U.S. starting from $91,220.

Chrysler Resumes Production with the Dodge Viper at Detroit Plant

Having emerged from bankruptcy protection on June 9, the newly formed Chrysler Group LLC restarted production at one of its Detroit assembly plants on Monday, June 15. The first factory to reopen after the company shut down for a period of almost two months, is the Conner Avenue assembly plant in Detroit that builds the Dodge Viper sports car. Even though Chrysler did not state why it chose the Conner plant to reopen for business, we assume that its small size (it employs 115 people) had something to do with the automaker's decision.

Chrysler, which is now controlled by Italy's Fiat S.p.A, had previously attempted to sell off its Dodge Viper business unit but the firm did not receive any bids that met its initial requirements.

As for the rest of Chrysler's North American plants, for the time being, they will remain closed. "At this time, we cannot give exact timing in regards to the start of production at our other manufacturing facilities," Chrysler Group said in a statement.

Via: CNN

VIDEO: Jeep Wrangler with Twin-Turbocharged Viper SRT10 V10 Engine!

To say that 'das' creation is insane, is clearly an understatement. Having already fitted a Dodge Viper V10 engine under the hood of a 1991 Jeep Wrangler, the German owner of this custom build decided to proceed to 'Stage II' by turbocharging the massive V10! As you can see in the first video after the jump, the dyno showed that the beastly Wrangler 'SRT10' produces 714HP at the wheels along with a staggering 1,053Nm or 745-lbs/ft of torque. There's also a second video available showing the pre-turbocharged Wrangler SR10 running the quarter mile in 12.93 seconds.

Via: Streetfire & Cardomain

Chrysler Extends Employee Pricing to 2009 Dodge Viper!

Once upon a time, range-topping models used to be excluded from any offers that automakers made to their employees. Of course that was when dealers weren't seeing their lots filled up to the neck with unsold cars. Nowadays, even the almighty Dodge Viper can now be bought with a discount if you happen to work for one of the firms of the Chrysler Group here in the States. -Continued

According to the American carmaker, with the exception of the "dragtastic" Viper ACR, Chrysler LLC's U.S. employees and eligible family members and friends can now obtain all Viper SRT10 Coupe and Convertible models with the special employee pricing.

Since we're not affiliated in any way with Chrysler, we're not aware of the exact discount that's offered on the Viper range but if you happen to know any details, feel free to drop us a line. Just for the record, prices for Dodge's V10-powered snake begin from $88,385.

SEMA: Dodge Challenger SRT10 Concept with 600HP Viper V10 Engine

We seriously doubt that anyone will disagree with us when we say that the most intriguing vehicle on Dodge's SEMA show stand in Las Vegas will be the Challenger SRT10 Concept car. As you might have already guessed by now, the SRT10 has borrowed the Viper's 8.4-liter all-aluminum V10 engine that pumps out 600 horsepower and 560 lb. ft. of torque. The 'halo' concept car features a new coat of vibrant Tornado Red paint with a carbon-fiber deck lid and a functional shaker hood inspired from the 1970s HEMI Cuda. -Continued

To compensate for the extra power, the company's engineers upgraded the braking system and added Bilstein shocks at all four corners to improve handling balance. The Challenger SRT10's interior has been enhanced with a set of sport seats and carbon-fiber trim accents throughout as well as a red engine start push-button in the dash.

Well, now that Dodge convinced us that they can stick a massive V10 engine under the Challenger's bonnet, it would be rather nice if they could also prove to us that they can actually put it into production - even limited, we don't mind. We'll start saving from now.