The 2010 Dodge Viper SRT10 Debuts Ahead of Los Angeles Show

The Dodge Viper has always been a raw sports car with very little frivolities. The 2010 Dodge Viper SRT10 continues that tradition with negligible changes.

For 2010, Dodge has made very little changes to its sports car. The same 600-hp, 8.4-liter V-10 engine that debuted in the 2008 model remains unaffected. This means the Viper’s incredible performance statistics continue the same as well; 0 to 60 mph in less than 4 seconds and a quarter mile time in the mid-11-second range. The similar 14-inch Brembo brakes make their way on the 2010 model, allowing the Viper to stop from 60 mph in less than 100 feet.

In fact, the 2009 Viper was so outrageous already; Dodge felt it only needed to improve two things, the interior as well as transmission. A new premium tan Nappa leather interior option has been added for 2010, providing the customer a choice other than a combination of black along with contrasting stitching. The transmission was also upgraded for 2010. By using a ZF Sachs twin-disc clutch moreover Dodge has lowered the clutch’s rotating inertia by 18 %, reduced pedal effort, and improved engagement feel.

In addition the Viper lineup with the introduction of the 2008 model was the Viper ACR, a hardcore track version of the outrageous sports car. Last year, the sports car was able to snag the Corvette ZR1’s Nürburgring record. This time, the Dodge crew took the 2010 Viper ACR back to Laguna Seca Raceway in California to recapture the production car lap record. With a time of 1:33.915, the team drove away with the mission accomplished.

The 2010 model year marks the previous year of production for the Viper in its current form. Dodge estimates production for the 2010 model year will be about 500 units. With Chrysler’s recent bankruptcy and change of ownership and it remains to be seen what will happen with the Viper as the production of the 2010 model ceases.