Dodge Viper (ZB I)

The Dodge Viper (ZB I) is the third-generation Viper sports car, manufactured by Dodge. The third generation received a heavy design change, designed by Osamu Shikado in 1999.

Development
The third-generation Dodge Viper was redesigned, courtesy of Osamu Shikado from Dodge's performance division, Street & Racing Technology. The design took inspiration from the Viper competition coupé concept, also designed by Shikado which was unveiled two years prior as a preview for the next-generation Viper.

Production
The new Viper was introduced in 2002, named as the SRT-10, which replaced both the RT/10 and GTS models. The engine displacement was increased from 8.0 to 8.3 liters, and along with other upgrades, the engine produced a maximum power output of 500 hp, and 525 lbft of torque. The weight of the engine would also lose as much as 230 kg. The chassis would become more rigid and lightweight, losing 36 kg. A 6-speed Tremec T56 manual transmission is used to deliver all of the power to the rear wheels.

Three years later after the SRT-10 was unveiled, the coupé version of the Viper would be launched, adapting the same "double-bubble" structure as the GTS from the previous generation. This model would have an increased power output of 510 hp, and 535 lbft of torque. The design of the car takes styling cues from the GTS, with the rear portion of the car adapting the tail shape, and the taillights using a design inspired by the GTS.

Dodge would stop production of the Viper for 2007, in lieu of preparing the new updates for the car for the 2008 model year.

Performance
The SRT-10 can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds, 0-100 mph in 8.36 seconds, complete the quarter mile in 11.77 seconds at 123.68 mph, and attain a top speed of 189.5 mph. The Viper also has an average slalom speed of 70.4 mph, a skidpad acceleration average of 1.05 g (10.3 m/s2), and a 100-0 mph stopping distance of 274 ft.

The coupé variant can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds, 0-100 mph in 8.36 seconds, complete the quarter mile in 11.77 seconds at 123.68 mph, and attain a top speed of 192.6 mph. The coupé has an average slalom speed of 70.4 mph, a skidpad acceleration average of 1.05 g (10.3 m/s2), and a 100-0 mph stopping distance of 274 ft.