Dodge Viper SRT10: More Venom For 2008 Model

By Motoring Channel Staff - 17/Jan/2006

Detroit, USA — It may look just the same as the old Dodge Viper (briefly called the Chrysler Viper in Australia) but the new 2008 model Dodge Viper SRT10 has a few new tricks up its sleeve.

As Dodge explains, the '08 Viper 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.

With more power than ever before thanks to a larger V10 engine, better brakes and an improved transmission and clutch assembly, the new model is expected to be one of the fastest cars money can buy.

V10 Viper Engine

The major change to the new Dodge Viper SRT10 is the V10 aluminium engine block. According to Dodge it was revised with a larger cylinder bore, increased by 1 millimeter, which takes the 10-cylinder engine's already massive displacement from 8.3- to 8.4-litres.

The total power and torque readings for the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 are as follows:

Power: 447kW (600hp)
Torque: 758Nm (560 lb.-ft.)

The Viper SRT10’s 8.4-litre engine breathes through new cylinder heads equipped with CNC-shaped (Computer Numerically Controlled) combustion chambers, larger valves and Variable Valve Timing (VVT). 

The 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.

Dodge has revealed the 2008 Dodge Viper'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.

Furthermore, 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 for better engine response.

Within the cylinders, the 10 pistons are equipped with larger-diameter floating pins with bronze bushings for high-load capability, and the forged powder-metal connecting rods are secured with aircraft-quality fasteners for increased fatigue strength. And with an engine of this size, able to generate 600 horsepower (447kW), it pays to have aircraft quality materials.

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.

Upgrades were developed to handle the 8.4-litre V-10’s increased horsepower and torque levels says Dodge, while improving traction, driveability and durability. Therefore, the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10's V10 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, and club racers will applaud a new provision for adding an external transmission cooler.

Viper Chassis

As Dodge explains, stopping power is another key attribute of the Viper SRT10 formula, with large 355mm (14-inch) brake rotors gripped by Brembo 44/40 dual opposing piston callipers in the front and Brembo 42/38 dual opposing callipers in the rear. An anti-lock braking system (ABS) prevents lockup during hard braking and Dodge claims this system results in a benchmark braking performance of 60-to-0 mph (96-to-0 km/h) in less than 100 feet (30.5m).

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, which is a necessity when you have 758Nm of naturally aspirated torque twisting its way towards the rear axle.

Dodge has revealed that the 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 tyres.

Viper Visage

The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 remains available in two body styles – Roadster and Coupe. Both feature a new hood design with a larger, more efficient hood scoop for air induction and larger, functional hood louvers/slots to facilitate a greater cooling effect for the more powerful 8.4-litre, 600 horsepower V10 engine underneath.

Dodge also says that 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. All of the iconic Viper SRT10 design cues have been maintained, so much so that it's hard to tell previous models apart, especially with the the signature crosshair grille, deep-cut side scallops, swept-back fenders and lowered hood lines have all been retained.

The Viper Coupe's hard top, with its double bubble styling, makes it even more torsionally stiff than the Roadster model. The 2008 Viper SRT10 Coupe offers increased downforce and high-speed stability with its sloping roofline and deck-lid spoiler, and it now has an additional 6.25 cubic feet of trunk space than the Viper SRT10 Roadster. And for the race fans, the roof and headliner structure offer more room to accommodate a roll/safety cage, while maintaining as much headroom as possible.

Viper Cabin

The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 Roadster and Coupe cockpits retain their characteristic red push-button starter and performance-oriented instrument panel with centrally-mounted tachometer and 220-mph (354km/h) speedometer, Dodge says. 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.

Safety and security options include adjustable pedals, and advanced multistage front air bags that inflate 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, which is a fairly advanced feature for a sports car. There's also knee bolsters, located in the lower instrument panel and the glove-box door are designed to properly position the occupant, enabling the air bags to work effectively.

Anti-lock brakes (ABS) are standard, as are constant force retractors (CFR) that distribute the force exerted on a seat belt, and then gradually release the seat belt webbing in a controlled manner according to Dodge. Remote keyless entry is another feature, and enhances personal security by locking and unlocking doors and turning on interior lamps, while also arming/disarming the security alarm. Finally, the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 also gets a new tyre-pressure monitoring (TPM) system, which is useful not only during general road driving, but also to see how quickly the pressure builds during performance driving.

Dodge says the new 2008 model Viper SRT10 will be hand-built at the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in Detroit.

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