C&D Shows how to Beat the SRT Viper’s Launch Control System

On most cars, using the launch control system is the fastest way of get off the line. However, there are some models in which the launch control can be beaten, as you will see in the following video from Car&Driver.

The idea behind launch control is to limit wheel-spin and increase traction to ensure the fastest possible acceleration. However, using launch control is not always the fastest way to accelerate from standstill.

In the case of the SRT Viper, the enormous amount of torque (600 lb-ft/813 Nm) is a tough nut to crack for the launch control system, which can be beaten by the sensitive right foot of an experienced driver.

C&D’s technical editor Eric Tingwall noticed that during the launch control sequence there’s too much going on with the rear wheels and set out to prove he can be faster without using it.

The video demonstrates the Viper’s launch control feature, and then shows one can get even faster acceleration times using the normal start procedure. You can find out how faster from the video posted below.

By Dan Mihalascu

VIDEO

What Would You Name This New 2014 SRT Viper Color?

In a rather playful twist, the Chrysler Group has made the decision to allow fans of the brand to name new shade of blue for the 2014 SRT Viper, which right now, is listed as "No Name Blue" on the brand's website. Just don't call it baby blue or Estoril blue – BMW may take offense with the latter and unleash the company lawyers.

To make things more interesting about the christening (see how that rhymes?), Chrysler is launching a contest at www.driveSRT.com/colorcontest, with the fan who submits the winning name to earn a free trip to the 2014 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona at Daytona International Speedway.

“The SRT Viper Color Contest gives our Viper enthusiasts an opportunity to be original, creative and contribute to the exterior design of our flagship American supercar,” said SRT boss Ralph Gilles. “This contest is a great way for our dedicated fans to connect with the SRT brand and become an authentic part of Viper history.”

The contest will remain open for submissions from October 17 through Thursday, October 24, with public voting to take place on Monday, November 4 through Monday, November 11.

So, what would you name this shade of blue for the Viper? Please do tell in the comments area below and up-vote the ones you like.

PHOTO GALLERY

Hennessey Gives SRT Viper a Bit of Extra Power, a Lot of Extra Badging… [w/Videos]

Hennessey is famous for extracting a lot of horsepower from engines with the use/optimization of forced induction. Their kits range from light to hardcore and the Venom 700R pack for the SRT Viper is on the less complex end of the scale.

There’s no turbo or supercharger kit in sight, and the 8.4-liter V10 engine is made to produce 705 hp (up from 640hp) with the use of old fashioned tuning techniques.

On the list of mods we have high-flow cylinder heads, custom tube headers and 3-inch exhaust, high-flow cat and a K&N performance air filter. Torque gets a boost too, up from 600 to 695 lb-ft (813 to 942 Nm) – this is an increase you’ll definitely feel, and it goes to show that the large ten-cylinder engine has yet more to give, even without affecting its response and signature exhaust noise by fitting it with twin turbos.

The extra power sends the Viper to 60 mph (96km/h) in 3.1 seconds, while the quarter-mile sprint is dispatched in 10.7 seconds. Top speed is rated at 216 mph, or 345 km/h, if anybody dares go that fast in it, that is, as it’s reportedly not the easiest thing in the world to control, and it can’t get easier the faster you go.

Hennessey also offers a slew of optional carbon fiber parts, lighter wheels, 5-point racing harnesses, adjustable suspension, differential cooler and even a fire extinguisher. There's plenty of badging thrown in for free, as well, though, to be fair, having numbered plaques all over the car's interior and exterior is a bit on the excessive hey-look-at-me side

Check it out via the photo gallery and videos posted below.

By Andrei Nedelea

PHOTO GALLERY

VIDEO

New Viper Loses to Corvette ZR1 in MT Test, SRT Boss Tweets His Frustration

The current, sixth-generation Corvette is about to be replaced as its all-new successor is just around the corner, being already teased by GM itself and due to break cover at the upcoming Detroit Motor Show next month. It’s about time, too, as the C6 has been around since 2005.
As it’s getting ready to exit the stage, though, another player comes charging in. In fact, it’s the only other car from Detroit that can lay claim to be an American supercar: the all-new SRT Viper.
It would be unfair to the ‘Vette to even think about pitting them against each other, wouldn’t you agree?

Does the Ferrari F150's Front End Remind You of the SRT Viper?

Yes, yes, we know that we haven't seen the new Ferrari F150 (that's Maranello's official code-name) in its entirety and that depending on your point of view, you can probably find similarities between each and every passenger car, but for the sake of conversation, we'd like to pass on a question, which came up from one of our readers.
No, we are not talking about the "Whale shark?" remark on our post with the first official teasers of the F150, but "The Italian Viper?" comment that followed.

New 2013 SRT Viper Goes on Sale: Huge Gallery with 224 High-Res Photos

America's newest, baddest and fastest sports car, the 206mph (332km/h) 2013 SRT Viper from the Chrysler Group, is available for order today.
It offers buyers a choice of two models, the base version priced at $97,395 and the better equipped GTS at $120,395 (equal to €76,000 and €93,900 at today's rates). Both MSRPs do not include a $1,995 destination charge.
“The Street and Racing Technology brand team is extremely proud that our hand-built-in-Detroit, flagship supercar is back and ready to take on the performance-car world,” said SRT CEO Ralph Gilles.
“Our returning customers will see the world-class levels of pride, quality and hand-built craftsmanship built into the 2013 Viper," he added.
"With two price classes of the SRT Viper and SRT Viper GTS, we have offerings for both the traditional core Viper customer and for the new customer who wants the same performance in a package with more technology and premium creature comforts.”

2013 SRT Viper First Official Teaser Leaves us in the Dark

We suppose it goes with the Viper's slithery nature to keep in the dark, but we can't say we're enthralled with the first official image of the Chrysler Group's re-branded sports car that was released just moments ago on the firm's Facebook page.
The black and white picture outlines the front end of the model, which seems like it will keep the familiar face of the previous generation Vipers, but that's about it.

We'll remind you that the new Viper drops the Dodge nameplate and adopts the SRT moniker.

2013 SRT Viper Teaser Shot Coming on Monday

Last night, the Chrysler Group's SRT crew had us constantly refreshing its Facebook page to see if it would upload the promised teaser photo of the next generation 2013 Viper sports car once it reached 10,000 "likes".
A couple hundred clicks later, SRT came out with an announcement saying that the teaser was the teaser it would release the first official shot on Monday, 11:59.59 PM Eastern Time.