Photography by Jan Morgan
Driver's Notebook: Dodge Viper SRT-10 Coupe
February 1, 2006
The aptly named Dodge Viper is intended for the automotive purist;
perhaps the last of its kind, the Viper is an “analog” sports car. Although it
is powered by an 8-liter, 510 hp V-10 engine, the Viper is devoid of advanced
electronic drivers’ aids like traction control or dynamic stability programming,
computer controls that have come to define—and sometimes do the driving
for—modern performance cars.
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(Click image to enlarge.)Beneath the flamboyant design and huge powerplant, the Viper maintains a racecar’s simple purpose in its underlying suspension architecture and performance capabilities. Vehicle control is accomplished through finely tuned chassis dynamics, mighty brakes, and huge tires, all suitably modulated by the driver’s skill.
In comparison with the convertible, the Viper coupe retains the front bodywork, including the doors. The top was added, along with new rear body panels offering improved aerodynamics. The restyled hindquarters provide 6 cubic feet of storage space beneath the rear window, which is three times more storage space than the roadster’s abbreviated trunk offers.
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(Click image to enlarge.)Inside, the plastic gray instrument panel features a simple, intuitive layout of instruments and controls; windshield wipers, radio, heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning are all easy to locate and operate. The leather seats are supportive enough for rigorous track use and comfortable enough for long trips. When combined with the adjustable pedals and the “double bubble” roof, drivers over 6 feet tall are easily accommodated, even when wearing crash helmets.
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