2015 Dodge Viper SRT: “More User Friendly Less Expensive"

The Dodge Viper has had a circuitous journey through the now-defunct SRT brand and back to its home at Dodge again, but along the way, it has only gotten better—and less expensive. If you’re a V-10 mega-sports car fan, there’s hardly ever been a better time to get in on the action. In fact, it's never been friendlier, either. View more details and Photos after the cut...

Low, long, and covered in muscular bulges and threatening vents, the Viper telegraphs its supercar intentions. Inside, the cabin is now more refined and luxurious, with available leather and tech packages pushing it fully into the 21st century.

Engine Performance.

Under the hood of the Viper you'll find just one engine, no matter the trim: an 8.4-liter V-10 that drives the rear wheels. It now makes 645 hp (up 5) and the same 600 pound-feet of torque.

The supercar game is not all about straight-line performance, however, and the Viper shines when it's time to turn, too. The latest Viper generation is the first to be equipped with stability and traction control, and fortunately, they're not the fun-killing systems of old. 

In fact, even in full-on mode, the system allows for yaw and slip angles suitable to spirited track-day antics. All Vipers get three stability-control modes (on, off, and rain), while the GTS model adds a pair of intermediate steps, with Sport and Track modes, which loosen the restrictions but keep a safety net.

Interior

The Viper's cabin is surprisingly roomy for such a low-slung, coupe. Dodge claims drivers up to 6'7" should fit within its confines. There's plenty of head and leg room for most drivers, and the seats are both comfortable and adjustable. The steering wheel and pedals also move to get the best possible fit. 

You'll want as much physical comfort in the Viper as possible, as it's a very noisy place to be, even cruising at low engine speeds on a smooth country road. The ride quality is fair in base models, a bit better with the adjustable dampers, but never really objectionable for a sports car. Cargo space is fair, at 14.65 cubic feet, but the odd shape under the rear hatch means soft-sided bags will be the best bet for longer trips.

Differences between the Viper SRT and Viper GTS are primarily in equipment: the GTS gets a two-mode suspension system with Bilstein DampTronic Select dampers and the aforementioned extra stability-control parameters. The Viper SRT is the more minimalist take on extreme performance, while the GTS offers an extra degree of luxury and refinement in the cabin as well as its upgraded suspension system and electronic controls.

Credit: motorauthority.