Car News & Reviews

2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR

The ultimate "run what ya brung" track weapon? Quite possibly it's the new Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR, a race-prepped Viper that's also street legal.

At the heart of the ACR (American Club Racer) is the 2008-version 600-bhp 8.4-liter V-10 channeling a monstrous 560 lb.-ft. of torque through a Tremec T56 6-speed manual gearbox. More power is always good, but there are myriad other tweaks to shave seconds off those lap times. Fresh from the autoclave are an adjustable carbon-fiber front splitter and rear wing, plus fixed front dive planes, that can produce up to 1000 lb. of downforce at 150 mph. Lightweight forged "Sidewinder" wheels are painted gloss black to heighten the sinister effect, and are shod with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup rubber, 295/30-18s up front, 345/30-19s at the business end.

Coil-over shocks from KW Suspensions have a wide range of jounce and rebound adjustability without removing the wheels, a stiffer front anti-roll bar is fitted, and lightweight slotted 2-piece StopTech rotors augment the suitably burly standard-issue Brembo calipers - Dodge claims the ACR can be stopped from 60 mph in less than 100 ft.

Weighing in at an estimated 3410 lb., the ACR is 40 lb. trimmer than the standard Viper Coupe, and an additional 40 lb. can be saved with the "Hard Core" package that dispenses with the audio system, underhood sound insulation, trunk carpet and tire inflator.

The old racer's adage, "Speed costs money. How fast do you want to go?" applies here. In the ACR's case, considerable speed can be had for just under $100,000.