Random Car Wednesday: Dodge Viper SRT-10

Few vehicles are as brash and aggressive as the Dodge Viper. Devised in the early 1990's as a swoopy roadster body wrapped around a truck-derived V10, the Viper could easily have been dismissed as a one-off concept car deemed unfit for production. Instead, Chrysler roped in Bob Lutz and Carroll Shelby to make the machine a reality. The Viper hit the streets in 1992, with redesigns arriving in 1996 and 2003. The 2003 design lasted with minimal changes up through 2010. The Viper featured here is an SRT-10 Coupe, likely a 2010 model. Decked out with white stripes over blue paint, this two-seater looks very sharp indeed. Under the enormous hood lurks a colossal 8.4 liter V10 that pumps out an ample 600 horsepower. That means the SRT-10 can do 0 to 60 in about 3.4 seconds, and 100 miles per hour arrives in a mere 7.6 seconds. Those are very impressive figures, especially for an American car. Supercar territory is usually populated by European marques, but the Viper, with a top speed of 202 mph, represents one of only a handful of modern American supercars. It also has plenty of charisma. Journalists and owners frequently describe driving the Viper in the same way; the car is evil and it wants to kill you. To get the most out of the burly snake, you need plenty of skill and a lot of respect. Ultimately, the Viper is one of the most memorable vehicles ever produced. It's unforgiving, uncompromising, and almost unstoppable. In short, it's perfect.

2010 Dodge Viper SRT-10