Dodge Viper: prices and specifications

Dodge Viper: history of the iconic muscle car

Dodge Viper is a sports car, a classic representative of American muscle cars. Its name translates from English as "viper." The model was conceived as a successor to the famous sports cars of the 1960s, with a powerful engine and aggressive appearance.

The concept car, called Copperhead (after the rattlesnake), was first shown to the public at the North American International Auto Show in 1989. During engine development, the company collaborated with Lamborghini, which provided several prototypes of aluminum cylinder blocks based on the V10 engine from Dodge pickup trucks.

First generation (1992)

The production model debuted in 1992. The first version was equipped with almost the same engine as the prototype: 8 liters, 400 horsepower. With a weight of about one and a half tons, the car accelerated to 290 km/h. Despite the high power and rear-wheel drive, the model had neither ABS nor other driver assistance systems.

Second generation (1996)

In 1996, the second generation Viper was released. The exterior and interior design remained almost unchanged, but the technical part was significantly improved. The engine became lighter, and its power increased to 450 hp. An anti-lock braking system and airbags appeared. In 1997, the Viper began to be offered in a coupe body (GTS version); previously only the "targa" was available.

Third generation (2003)

The third generation appeared in 2003. The car changed both externally and internally. The engine displacement increased to 8.3 L, power to 500 hp. The name gained the prefix SRT-10 in honor of the Street Racing Technology division, which made changes to the car's design.

Fourth generation (2008)

In 2008, the fourth generation was introduced. Traditionally, the main updates affected the technical part: engine power was increased to 600 horsepower.

Fifth generation (2012)

The fifth generation debuted in 2012. The car changed radically compared to its predecessors but retained the 10-cylinder engine. Its displacement increased to 8.4 L, power to 640 hp. The body became 50% stiffer but 45 kg lighter. The rear suspension, for the first time in 20 years of production, became fully independent.

Dodge Viper in Ukraine

In Ukraine, official sales of the Dodge Viper are not carried out, but the car is sometimes found at independent dealers. Body — coupe or targa. Engine — one 8.4-liter, paired with a 6-speed manual transmission. The car's drive is all-wheel drive.