I want you to meet the new 2013 Viper.
The old Dodge Viper wrapped up production in 2010. The last one was purchased by d’Ann Rauh and her husband Wayne who live in Arp.
It was added to their collection, which is the largest group of Vipers in private hands in the country.
And they have two 2013’s on order.
And this week, the head of SRT, the high performance division of Chrysler, and Vice President of Design, Ralph Gilles stopped by for a visit.
The Viper has been off the market since 2010, but the new generation hits showrooms soon. We got a sneak peak.
The high points…
V-10 – 640 horsepower.
Italian tanned leather interior and a new active suspension.
The trademark double-bubble roof, though a roadster will be out later.
Extensive use of carbon fiber throughout and a return to the clamshell hood opening.
And then Ralph said the magic words…let’s take it out. After a little car shuffling, we hit the road.
The new one is smoother, and better behaved than the old, but that is a relative term.
The viper is a meat cleaver, not a scalpel, but it is more forgiving now.
Oh, and it’s fast.
0-60 in 2.5 seconds, and a top speed of 204. At least that’s what it was when they ran out of straightaway at the proving grounds.
So that’s the 2013 Viper.
It should be on the market before too long.
Before he left, by the way, D’Ann convinced Ralph to send a 2013 model down for display at the Tyler Auto Show benefitting the Women’s Crisis Center.
When he finally got a look at their collection, how could he say no?