Snake in the gas: Chrysler's Viper sports car lives again
It's comeback time for sports cars. First the cat roared back, as Jaguar rejuvenated its long retired classic design.
Now it's Chrysler's turn: It's giving new life to the powerful Viper, which the company beheaded in 2010 when it was part of the Dodge stable. Yesterday, the SRT Viper re-emerged, this time from Chrysler's Street and Racing Technology (SRT) division. Chrysler let the snake out its cage at the New York International Auto Show, saying it would hit showrooms in 2013.
In announcing the car, Chrysler focused on performance. Turn the other way if this stuff makes you squeamish: An all aluminum, 8.4 liter V-10 engine "delivers an estimated 640 horsepower and 600-lb.ft. of torque - the most torque of any naturally aspirated sports car engine in the world," Chrysler said in a press release. "
What about gas mileage? Any advances there? In case you haven't noticed, a few people are concerned about that these days, with rising fuel prices, greenhouse gas emissions and all that.
I've scoured the release, and haven't found anything directly addressing the point. There are some clues of improvements. "All-new carbon fiber and aluminum skin is sculpted for high-speed stability and a slippery .364 drag coefficient," the release noted. And The New Zealand Herald reports that the car's engine is 11 kilograms (24 pounds) lighter than in the old Viper.
Like me, though, the Herald could not find fuel economy figures. "Chrysler hasn't released that yet, but no one who buys this car will really care," it wryly says (if SmartPlanet had a "Quote of the Day" feature, this would make it).
But never fear. While you're bombing down the highway oblivious to petrol consumption, you can further tune out with the Viper's onboard infotainment system.
"The new 2013 SRT Viper lineup includes the new, next generation Uconnect Access in-vehicle connectivity system that provides drivers with access to more information, emergency services, more entertianment and improved graphics," Chrysler noted. Features include Harman Kardon surround sound, 18 speakers, 4 subwoofers, an 8.4-inch touchscreen plus "hard keys for commonly used functions, including traditional knobs for tuning the radio bands and radio volume."
Traditional knobs! Why didn't you say so in the first place? Something for everybody. But I suppose the anticipated retail price of over $100,000 is a bit steep for a few rounded dial controls.
Photos from Chrysler (very red, eh?)
More fast car sights, sounds and animal kingdom on SmartPlanet:
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- Audi e-sound adds an engine roar to silent EVs
- Jaguar roars back into sports cars
And more infotainment on wheels:
- Siemens building car of future. Huh, Siemens?
- iPad dashboard? Government says no
- Vehicles to have internet access as standard?
- Qualcomm enters cable-free electric car charging fray
- Electric car to solar panel: You available?
- How to get a free car, Chapter 2
- How to get an electric car for free
- GM, LG partner on electric vehicle development
This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com