2010 Dodge Viper ACR

[mcfly]

VIDEO: 2010 Dodge Viper ACR makes the rounds at Laguna Seca, sets track record

by Jonny Lieberman (RSS feed) on Nov 24th 2009 at 4:26PM
2010 Dodge Viper ACR - Click above to watch the video

The Dodge Viper is many things to many people. An object of unparalleled lust to some, a big-mouthed, truck-engined Corvette ripoff to others. And an ankle burner to still others. But no one ever thought of Dodge's V10 quarter-mile thug as a serious track car. Until the Viper ACR showed up.

Lighter (especially in Hardcore Package guise) and producing ten times as much downforce as the "regular" SRT10 Viper, the ACR model set off some pretty big waves when the big-winged snake debuted (especially in the Nurburgring record community), even though most of the rippling came from the street-legal slicks. But never mind all that, the new 2010 Dodge Viper ACR is here, and it's even better than the 2009 version.

Why? Well, it's faster (top speed is now 202 mph) and quicker (it can reach said top speed a whole 14 seconds sooner than the 2009 model). How? Gearing, specifically 5th gear, which has been revised from 0.741 to 0.796. Also, the end caps on the giant wing have been revised, resulting in that higher top end. Some new colors, too. We have tons of videos of it rumbling/blasting around Laguna Seca for your perusal, after the jump. Hat tip to Ryan!

UPDATE: Looks like Dodge, the Viper ACR and driver Chris Winkler just broke the Laguna Seca single-lap record with a time of 1:33.944. Those of you with longish memories will remember that a Devon GTX (powered by a Viper motor) recently set the (now) old record at Laguna -- 1.35.075. In other words, the new Viper ACR just beat the previous record by more than a second. Impressive. And yet another video, after the jump.

UPDATE 2: Gallery of images from the 2010 Dodge Viper ACR's day at the track added.

UPDATE 3: Chrysler just twittered: "To honor Viper's record-breaking lap at Laguna Seca, Dodge will rollout a Laguna Seca Special Edition Viper." Now that's planning product on your feet!

YouTube- 2010 Dodge Viper ACR

YouTube- Viper Gets Feel of Laguna Seca

YouTube- 2010 Dodge Viper ACR Tuning

YouTube- Dodge Viper Voodoo Test Run 2

YouTube- 2010 Dodge Viper ACR Test Run 1

YouTube- 2010 Dodge Viper ACR Record Breaker

Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/24/video-2010-dodge-viper-acr-makes-the-rounds-at-laguna-seca-set

[Allan74]

Back in 1992, the Viper was a surprise edition to Dodge's lineup and something for the masses to dream about and drool over.

Now, 17 years later.......I find it to be a tired looking platform, as it hasn't changed much over it's 4 Generation production run, although if I had to choose favs, Gen1 and Gen3 are them.

As far as comparing it to the 'top shelf' North American offerings from both GM and Ford, I find it far less appealing than the limited run resurection and tribute to the original GT40 racing legend that Ford accomplished with the 03-06 GT.....and it will never be or attain the cultural status or legacy of the Corvette, although I may not be alive in 30+ years to see if that comes true.

Chrysler should have done something with the ME Four-Twelve concept in my opinion.

[mcfly]

the Porsche 911 hasn't changed either, do you hate it?
me4-12 sounds like mclaren had a foot in the pond as that's their naming :p
would also explain why it never happened

[Allan74]

the Porsche 911 hasn't changed either, do you hate it?


Yes, very much so. You could not pay me to own a Euro Super Car.....any of them, simple as that.

It's S7 TT, or a custom GT TT for me or nothing. Those are the ONLY 2 semi-current super Cars I would ever spend my own money on.

(Not the Porsche.....but other Euro Trash)...3.1L of displacement spread over 16 cylinders with quad overhead cams and 64 valves that sounds like a pissed off CuisinArt @ 9,000RPM does not get me excited (hyperbole......but you get what I mean).

[bobbo]

You can say whatever you want about the Vipper. I worked for one of the top selling Viper dealers in the country, a '98 GTS was the second car I sold for them. I had quite a few chances to drive the car and there is NO two ways about it.... THAT THING IS A FREAKIN' BLAST TO DRIVE!!!
Sadly they really aren't built much better than a Caravan.

[mcfly]

The last line was funny bobbo.

I really would take a new viper over any other american car. They have always been one of those "bedroom wall" poster cars growing up.

[spd-dmn]

say what you want about general viper crappiness

however

the 2010 ACR is one of the most potent factory-produced street-legal cars in the world

it is incredibly fast... and not simply in a straight line =)

[j-ran]

im glad dodge got their act together on this one and redeemed the viper. Up until this point the fact that they just crammed an 8.4 and 8.3 liter engine in a small car summed up typical american crap. The americans sure loved to use only displacement as a way to build a fast car, but now they have some credit with all the added downforce and good suspension.