Chrysler's Answer to AMG

Just as Mercedes has AMG andBMWhas M series, Chrysler also has high-performance models. They are called SRT, an acronym for "Street & Racing Technology."

It first appeared in 2003 with the second-generation Viper, under the name "Dodge Viper SRT10." Subsequently,"Grand Cherokee"and"Chrysler 300"featured "SRT8" models, while the "Crossfire" had an "SRT6" and the "Neon" an "SRT4," demonstrating active development up to the present day (the numbers indicate cylinder count).

Recalling that time, 2003 was when Chrysler became part of Daimler. In that context, creating Chrysler's version of AMG, as mentioned at the beginning, might have been a natural progression within the company...

Ten years have passed since then. Last December, an international media test drive event exclusively for SRT models was held in Atlanta, USA. The venue was "Road Atlanta," also used in the American Le Mans Series. It's a circuit just over 4 km long, known for its challenging elevation changes. It's also the place where a major accident once occurred involving a Porsche racing car.Porscheracing car and resulted in a major accident.

Regardless, they chose this location for the test drive with a specific intention: participation in international racing. They announced their intention to actively compete in major races, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Entry into the American Le Mans Series has already been approved internally. The season will consist of 12 races, two of which will be endurance races.

OHV Has Its Own Distinct Feel

Now, regarding the Viper driven at this venue, the name has changed from "Dodge Viper" to "SRT Viper" with this new model. SRT has been established as a distinct brand, with the Viper positioned as its icon.

While the basic structure has been retained, the overall design has undergone significant revisions. The doors are aluminum, and carbon fiber is used for the hood, roof, and rear hatch, achieving a 45kg weight reduction compared to the previous generation. Torsional rigidity of the chassis has also been improved by 50 percent. The aluminum appears to have been sourced from an aerospace supplier.

In addition to weight reduction, meticulous attention has been paid to weight distribution this time. The familiar large engine is positioned in the front-midship to achieve balance. As a result, a weight distribution of 49% front and 51% rear when empty, and 50% front and 50% rear when the driver is seated, has been achieved.

The engine is an 8.4-liter (512 cubic inch) V10 OHV with VVT. The block and heads are aluminum. It produces a maximum output of 640 bhp (649 ps, 477 kW) and a maximum torque of 814 Nm (83 kgm). Its OHV configuration is noteworthy, but it's reasonable to consider it an evolution of an existing unit.

Of course, a DOHC configuration could be an option for track use, but the importance of OHV in the main market cannot be disregarded. OHV has its own distinct feel. Furthermore, this unit is also used in the heavy-duty version of the "Ram." Therefore, the engine was chosen with versatility in mind.

"Come on Viper!"

Now, for the actual driving impression: on the circuit, which begins with a steep uphill gradient from the first corner, the abundant torque is immediately apparent. The car pulls strongly uphill even with partial throttle, without needing to be floored. Shifting up to second and third gear, by the time you reach fourth, the next corner is already in sight before you can fully accelerate. In other words, the absolute speed is so high that higher gears are rarely needed.

The handling is remarkably straightforward, and the power steering, with its moderate resistance, is well-tuned. The lack of excessive lightness enhances the sporty feel. Furthermore, while previous generations exhibited understeer in high-speed corners and oversteer in low-speed corners, the handling has been significantly refined to be more neutral. This should dispel its reputation for being difficult to drive.

I was also surprised by the comfortable ride this time. The "Viper GTS" test car was equipped with two-stage adjustable dampers (Bilstein), but even in "Track" mode, it didn't feel overly stiff. When asked about this, the development team explained that SRT considers everyday usability. Indeed, it seems to have more depth than initially expected.

This is the essence of the new Viper. Currently, Fiat Chrysler Japan is considering its introduction. One of the hurdles is the exhaust system. Japanese regulations do not permit the side-mounted exhaust pipes positioned at a 90-degree angle. However, the manufacturer is aware that similar regulations exist in several other countries, including the UK, not just Japan. This suggests they may be contemplating some form of modification. Regardless, the new Viper is undoubtedly a car that deserves to be introduced to Japan in 2013.

"Come on Viper!"