Dodge Viper

The Dodge Viper is one of the first V10-powered cars in the world, made by the Dodge division of Chrysler. Production of the two seat sports car began at New Mack Assembly in 1991 and moved to its current home at Conner Avenue Assembly in October 1995. The car, and numerous variations, has made many appearances in TV shows, video games, movies, and music videos. The replacement for the fourth generation Dodge Viper formed the basis for the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. Although Chrysler considered ending production because of financial problems,^[1][2] chief executive Sergio Marchionne announced and showed on September 14, 2010 a redesign of the Viper for 2012.
The first prototype was tested in January 1989. It debuted in 1991 with two pre-production models as the pace car for the Indianapolis 500 when Dodge was forced to substitute it in place of the Japanese-built Stealth because of complaints from the United Auto Workers, and went on sale in January 1992 as the RT/10 Roadster.
The centerpiece of the car was its engine. It was based on the Chrysler LA design, which was a truck engine. The original configuration made it too heavy for sports car use, so Lamborghini, then owned by Chrysler Corporation, revamped Dodge's cast-iron block V10 for the Viper by recasting the block and head in aluminum alloy. Some within Chrysler felt the pushrod two-valve design, while adequate for the truck application, was unsuitable for a performance car and suggested a more comprehensive redesign which would have included four valves per cylinder. Chrysler, however, was uncertain about the Viper's production costs and sales potential and so declined to provide the budget for the modification.
Dodge Viper production began in May 1992 at the New Mack Assembly Plant and was moved to Conner Avenue in October 1995. Viper V-10 engine production was transferred from Mound Road Engine to Conner Avenue Assembly in May 2001.
It was reported that Chrysler had intended to cease production of Dodge Viper in December 2009 and to sell off the Viper brand. Originally, Devon Motor Works was the only bidder, bidding $5.5 million.^[31] However, following the Chrysler Group LLC's acquisition of Viper assets,^[32] the company announced it was no longer pursuing a sale of the Viper business assets and continuing the production of Dodge Viper SRT10.^[33] Nevertheless, Devon Motor Works later unveiled a Dodge Viper-based Devon GTX, as 2010 model.^[34] The special-edition Viper, called the Viper ACR-X, was produced to celebrate its last year and was delivered at a Viper Days event at Gingerman Raceway in June 2010. This special model is for track use only and is the spec car for the Dodge Viper Cup, and has an additional 40 horsepower (640 hp (477 kW)).

In 2012 a new Viper or replacement is expected.In 2008, with the introduction of the 510 cu in (8.4 L) V10, the Viper produced 600 bhp (450 kW) at 6000 rpm and 560 lb·ft (760 N·m) at 5100 rpm, and also received better flowing heads with larger valves, Mechadyne cam-in-cam variable valve timing on the exhaust cam lobes, and dual electronic throttle bodies.^[8][9] The rev limit could be increased by 300 rpm due to the improved valve-train stability from both the new camshaft profiles and valve-springs. The engine was developed with some external assistance from McLaren Automotive and Ricardo Consulting Engineers. Electronic engine control is developed by Continental AG; the controller can monitor the crankshaft and cylinder position up to six times during each firing and has 10 times more processing power than the previous unit.