Details

Get to Know the Viper

When the Viper was unveiled at the 1989 Detroit car show, it made some major waves.

The first generation of the Viper, the SR I, went on sale in 1992. Later named the Dodge Viper RT/10, it came with a Lamborghini-built V10 engine, rwd (rear wheel drive), leather seats and steering wheel, high fidelity sound system, and 400 max horsepower—and not many safety features standard at the time. Needless to say, it blew the competition away and set the standard for American supercars of the early ’90s.

The SR II marked the second generation of the Viper and in 1996, Dodge introduced the Dodge Viper GTS, a coupe body style version of its earlier RT/10. Throughout the next few years, the Viper got air conditioning and power windows and locks… and airbags for the first time.

The GT2 Commemorative Edition, released in 1998, is best known for its recognizable body color (white with blue stripes). There were just 100 of these cars for sale, making the GT2 an incredibly rare supercar.

The Dodge Viper ACR performance package option gave drivers even more power options before the third generation went on the market in 2003.

The Dodge Viper SRT 10 roadster replaced the RT/10 in 2002, while the Dodge Viper SRT-10 coupe replaced the GTS in 2006. Only a few exterior colors—like the memorable Viper red or cobalt blue—were offered per year, while interior colors varied throughout the generation.

In 2008, Dodge presented its fourth generation, the ZB II. The car was effectively the same as the third generation on the outside, but its mechanical details and interior changed quite a bit. With a reworked exhaust and electrical system and new tires, the car was safer than ever before.

The fifth—and last—generation of the Viper was built to be more forgiving and accessible for drivers. In 2013, the SRT Viper was announced with a V10 engine, six-speed manual transmission, traction control, anti-lock brakes, customizable interior instruments, a maximum speed of 208 mph, and a mpg of 12 city, 19 highway.

Sales were poor, perhaps due to poor fuel economy and increasing demand for safety features. Two years later, the SRT Viper was renamed the Dodge Viper, and Fiat Chrysler ended production of the Viper in 2017, ending an iconic chapter in American car history.

If you’d like more information before making a decision, be sure to check out our Complete How-To Sell Your Exotic Car Guide and our in-depth research piece Leasing vs Owning.