The Dodge Viper heads into 2009 largely unchanged. The track-focused Viper SRT-10 ACR returned to the lineup midway through 2008 and enters a full year of production for '09.
The 2009 Dodge Viper SRT-10 is offered as either a two-seat coupe or a soft-top roadster. For the standard price of admission, you get enormous forged-aluminum wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires measuring 275/35R18 in front and 345/30R19 in back. Inside, the Viper comes with race-inspired seats, power-adjustable pedals, full power accessories, a tilting steering wheel, keyless entry and an in-dash six-disc CD changer mated to a seven-speaker, 300-watt audio system. Since the Viper is more go than show, cosmetic and convenience options are scarce.
Underneath the Viper's louvered hood is an imposing 8.4-liter V10 engine that thunders out 600 horsepower and 560 pound-feet of torque. It's enough to propel the sleek snake from zero to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds. The quarter-mile is a memory in a mere 11.8 seconds. Top speed is a claimed 200 mph. All of this merriment is funneled to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox, which is the only transmission available.
The 2009 Dodge Viper is rough, raw, loud and unrefined when compared to other sports cars, and therein lies much of its appeal. As with previous generations, when you pin the gas pedal, you'll be pinned to the seatback. Jam on the brakes and you can feel your internal organs slam against your rib cage. Novices can appreciate the Viper's straight-line power and fury, but only advanced drivers should explore its cornering limits.