2003-2009 Dodge Viper: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Dodge redesigned America's high-performance champ for 2003, giving the two-passenger Viper new styling, new engineering--and even more power than before. Gone were the GTS coupe and RT-10 convertible, with its cross-body roof hoop. Badged SRT-10, the Viper was now a true convertible with a manual folding top and an electrically heated glass rear window. Wheelbase grew by 2.6 inches, compared to the 1992-2002 Viper, but overall length shrunk about an inch and curb weight dropped slightly. When the roof was lowered, the folding convertible top's rigid center section doubled as a tonneau panel. Viper retained its front-mounted V10-engine/rear-wheel-drive layout, but the V10 was a new design of 8.3 liters and 500 horsepower, versus the previous 8.0 liters and 450 hp. As before, the sole transmission was a six-speed manual. While ABS was standard, this two-seater maintained an aversion to high tech by not offering traction/antiskid control. No side airbags were available, either. In the redesigned interior, the tachometer sat directly before the driver, with a 220-mph speedometer to the right. Standard equipment included leather-and-faux-suede seats; a tilt steering column; power-adjustable clutch, brake, and accelerator pedals; power windows; and air conditioning. Tires were run-flats on 18-inch front wheels and 19-inch rears. Side-mounted exhaust pipes returned from the original Viper, and xenon high-intensity-discharge high- and low-beam headlamps were standard. Sports-car rivals included the Acura NSX, Chevrolet Corvette and Porsche 911, but nothing was quite like the muscular rear-wheel-drive Viper.