The new 2013 SRT Viper will get an automatic transmission says SRT CEO

The 5th Gen 2013 SRT Viper will eventually get an Automatic Transmission

The new generation of the SRT Viper will eventually get an automatic transmission according to SRT President and CEO Ralph Gilles.

“In the lifecycle of this car it will have some kind of automated transmission,” Gilles says in the video below. “Automatic transmissions are so much better in that they don’t cost you any speed,” he recently told us while driving the new Viper on a Press preview at the Somoma Raceway.

In fact, Gilles goes on to say that Chrysler already has an automatic transmission that could work with the new 2013 SRT Viper but because of packaging issues it simply doesn’t fit in the new 5th generation car.

The new 2013 Viper, which will start production in the next few weeks, will initially only be available with a 6-speed manual transmission mated to a 8.4-liter V-10 that’s rated at 640 HP.

For it’s entire history (starting in 1992) the Viper has only been available with a 6 speed manual box.

Gilles adds, “Our clientele is getting a little bit older and they would like to experience the car.”

Check out the video below as Gilles talks about the process of developing the new Viper while he demonstrates the cars ability to tame a racetrack.

Editor’s note: I drove the very first generation Viper GTS and it was one of the most intimidating, brutal machines on the road. In some ways, it reminded me of an early 911 turbo Porsche – a vehicle that required talent to get the most speed out of it. As hair-raising as the original Viper was it was capable of winning serious races.  The French racing team Oreca won the GT2 Class at Le Mans in 1991. I respect any car that can do that and so do you.

I can’t wait to see what the 2013 SRT Viper is capable of. Worried about the “automatic” transmission? Don’t be, Ralph will not dilute the Viper one bit. Promise.