TFLcar had a great time at the press launch of the new 2013 SRT Viper. The first impressions were very positive. How does the new machine compare to the old? To find out we need to take a step back in time. I met with John, one of the lucky Viper owners in the Denver area. He is a proud owner of the second generation 2001 Dodge Viper GTS ACR. I wanted to find out what he thinks about the new version of the car. We talked for a while discussing highlights of both cars. John summed up his opinion well when he said: “Viper is a beautiful piece of art but just doesn’t need those extra creature comforts”. I agreed that most of the new gadgets and controls just take some of the true driving experience away.
As we continued our conversation, I wanted to learn more about his car. I am happy to say that John’s ACR is basically a daily driver with nearly 56,000 miles on the clock. Any time the weather permits, John and his wife take the car out. It took them a whole six months to find this exact model when they were searching for a Viper in 2004. Being a pretty modest guy, John made it a point to mention that he bought this car for his own driving enjoyment and not to necessarily grab people’s attention. Ever since riding in a second generation 1996 Viper, he knew this 2001 Viper was ‘the’ machine for him!
Here are some interesting facts about this particular Viper. Only one option was available from the factory, called a Comfort Group, consisting of an A/C and a stereo. This was also the first year of the ABS, mandated by NTSB. All previous years brake systems were a massive failure. Kind of like a kit car with brakes from a bicycle. Total production on a 2001 GTS ACR was as follows: 827 units sold in the U.S., only 60 were red, 31 were monotone, and 29 had the stripes. Of those 29, only 4 ACRs were built without air conditioner and stereo Comfort Group. John’s is one of the 25 that is red with sliver stripes, and the comfort group.
According to SRT, the all new Viper is now a competitive choice in the super car world. The new redesign is complete with nearly all the modern conveniences of pretty much any super car. Purged are the basics of the old interior. It evolved into a plethora of standard equipment and options. Bluetooth, navigation, a ‘track mode’, and heated leather seats are just some of the extras. And then there is the boost in horsepower! But at a starting price of $97k and rising into the six figure range, it’s out of reach for most consumers.
Here is some comparison data between the two:
| 2001 Viper GTS ACR | 2013 SRT Viper | |
| Engine Size | 8.0 liter (488 cu in) | 8.4 liter (512 cu in) |
| Horse Power | 450 (at 5,200 rpm) | 640 (at 6,150 rpm) |
| Torque (Lb-Ft) | 490 (at 3,700 rpm) | 600 (at 4,950 rpm) |
| Curb Weight (Lbs) | 3,460 | est. 3,300 |
We cannot wait to get our hands on the new 2013 SRT Viper and review it properly. Perhaps, when we do – we will pay another visit to John.
Please enjoy this fun TFLcar video test of the 2013 SRT Viper:
In fact, TFLcar already has 6 videos previewing the 2013 Viper.
As a Mustang Bullitt owner, occasional auto-cross racer, and off-road adventurer, Destin has been an automotive fanatic since his first matchbox car over thirty years ago. Spare time is usually spent searching the web and reading anything of what’s new and old in the automotive industry. In the summer months, he is either displaying his Bullitt at car shows, participating in an SCCA amateur auto-cross, or exploring the beautiful Colorado Rockies on off-road trails in search of historic mining ghost towns.
