1902 changed everything for brothers Dodge after Henry Ford offered them a 10% stake in his company if they would deliver components for his cars. The brothers had to make transmissions and engines that went into the renowned Ford Model T. However, Ford didn't want to improve his product and Dodge loved innovation. This is how the first Dodge car appeared.
The first Dodge Viper was manufactured in 1992. It had no airbags, no roof, no AC and no outside door handles. Still, everyone loved it and all 285 units were sold. The final fifth generation was announced in 2011 as something new.
In 2015 Chrysler group reported that the last Viper would be produced in 2017. The reason was the company's inability to comply with changing safety regulations that required curtain airbags. But we still hope the Viper will be back. And here are 15 Reasons why we want it.
15 The Top 10 Lap Time On The Nurburgring
This is the car that proves that American vehicles can go around turns. The car set a lap time in the Nurburgring that is still in the top 10. The Viper crushed 13 lap records and beat many race cars. Its performance is comparable to cars that are 10 or 20 times more expensive.
14 6 Hood Scoops
Many sports cars have one or two scoops, it's boring. 6 scoops are much better, or at least this is how the Viper engineers thought. This feature was standard for the 2015 Dodge Viper SRT. The scoops had a functional role to play: they improved aerodynamics, released hot air, and made the car move faster.
13 The Largest Production Displacement Motor
Under the hood of the 2014 Dodge Viper, you can find one of the largest production displacement motors. It was the biggest one in the world at that time. It delivers 640 horsepower. The car is perfect for aggressive driving e.g. hill climbing. Cruising around in the Viper feels quite nice, too.
12 Not Your Average Brake Lights
Just like a normal car, the Dodge Viper has brake lights. One is on the left side and the other is on the right side. But there is the third brake light. No, it's not just a random light in the middle of the window. It's the Viper logo light.
11 Unusual Tires
The Dodge Viper makes you feel something new: excitement for the tire size. The last generation of Vipers has an unusual rear tire size with a 335-inch width but only 17-inch wheels. Obviously, you can't find new tires of this size. And old tires will cost you at least $600 per tire.
10 Timeless Design
Most Vipers have identical recognizable design that will never get old. It doesn't matter what generation Viper you have, the car will always look beautiful. Its simple lines and shapes are timeless. There are even similarities with the first Viper that can be found through every generation.
9 Borderline Street-Legal Car
The Dodge Viper is a niche car for enthusiastic drivers who want something that is borderline street-legal. You can take it home but at the same time perform extremely well when you're actually on the track. The Viper has proven itself many times. And it doesn't look as ridiculous as some sports cars.
8 Spacious Trunk
Sports cars usually don't have much trunk space. But what if you just want to drive to the mall? There is more than enough space in the back of the Dodge Viper compared to other sporty vehicles. You can easily take this thing to the grocery store and put all your bags in the trunk.
7 Enhanced Driving Comfort
First generations of Vipers were tough to get around, they could make you exhausted. In comparison to them, the last Viper is much easier to drive. There was a six-speed transmission and a fantastic shifter. It feels as good to cruise around the city as it is to conquer tracks.
6 No Interior Hood Release
Yes, you heard us right: there is no interior hood release. This means that if you're ever walking through a parking lot and you see a Viper and you want to check its engine, there are only two latches and you're in. Just remember that the new hood is around $15000, so be careful.
5 No Roof, No Windows, No Door Handles On The Outside
If you happen to have the first generation Viper, you know that it doesn't have what most cars nowadays get by default: windows, outside door handles and the roof. The roof is optional but it's a pain to put on. However, the car has that old-fashioned exhaust that makes the best sound.
4 0-60 In 3 Seconds
The last-gen Viper can get from 0 to 60 in 3 seconds. However, its strength isn't in straight-line speed. It's about the grip and the downforce. The company said the car can do 1.5 G of lateral acceleration in hard cornering. A lot of it is possible due to the aero package.
3 SRT Performance Pages
The last-gen of Vipers has all the technology you may need. You get a touchscreen with SRT performance pages with all gauges. You also have engine parameters, battery voltage, oil temperature, oil pressure, horsepower, and torque. You can even select what color you want your car to be on the screen.
2 No Need To Push It To Its Maximum All The Time
Most sports cars only feel good when you push them to their limits. However, you can drive the Viper at the desired speed and still have the downforce to get grip. Car tires are very sticky and it's staggering how much grip the car has. The tires were developed specifically for this vehicle.
1 Slam And Smash Everything You Want To Close
The last thing about the Viper that makes it so special is that nothing closes normally. You should smash the back glass panel, slam the doors and push on the hood to get it closed. This car wants you to show off your strength and be brutish, otherwise, it won't close.