Sleek Like a Spartan

Behind the wheel of Dodge’s revised 2008 Viper SRT10 coupe, I’m reminded of last year’s epic war movie, 300. The film is a fantastical retelling of the 480 BC Battle of Thermopylae, in which a small force of Spartan warriors fought to the last man against a large invading army. Casting myself Walter Mitty–style as a Spartan and the traffic around me as invaders, I heroically guided the Dodge through a figurative Thermopylae this past week. But rather than 299 other Spartans at my side, I had 600 horsepower under my right foot.

I tried to convey the feeling the Viper inspires in the review I wrote for this space last year. We’re taking another look because Dodge has improved the car for 2008 in subtle and not-so-subtle ways, including giving it 90 additional horsepower. No one really needs this kind of power on the street, but oh, the feeling it gives you. And it is immediately recognized. Other drivers look at the Viper with a mixture of envy, appreciation, and, sometimes, trepidation. Well, they should. You can unleash Spartan-like fury, accelerating to 60 mph in less than four seconds. In fact, you could likely hit 60, negotiate a tight corner, and brake to a stop before most drivers put their cell phone or coffee down.

The core of the 2008 Viper SRT10 Coupe I sampled is its 8.4-liter V-10 engine, an awesome piece of machinery with newly found refinement. Dodge’s SRT (Street and Racing Technology) group worked with English specialists McLaren Performance Technologies and Ricardo Inc. to increase the engine’s displacement from 8.3 to 8.4 liters. They strengthened the engine internals, improved its cooling, and, with the addition of larger valves and variable valve timing, improved its breathing. The result is a smoother power plant with 560 lb.-ft. of torque that can meet strict new federal and California emissions mandates. 

The SRT team matched the increased horsepower with a new Tremec TR 6060 six-speed transmission that substitutes a smaller-diameter twin-disc clutch for the previous single-disc unit. The goal was to reduce clutch effort, improve engagement feel, and shorten shift throws. A host of other improvements, from Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires specially built for the Viper to a swinging oil pickup, make this a better snake. A standout for me is the redesign of the exhaust system that reduces cabin heat, an issue in the previous car.

My week with the Viper included a visit to a vintage car concours in St. Michaels, on Maryland’s eastern shore. It was a first-class event with rare and expensive classics from the 1920s and ’30s. The participants had refined tastes, and they loved the SRT10. I think it’s because they recognize the Viper as a car with character, a feature woefully lacking in many modern machines. 

You feel that character on takeoff. The Viper starts with a satisfying bass rumble once you push the red starter button. The twin-disc clutch bites, and locomotive-like torque propels you forward in first gear. Launching the car is a smoother affair than before, and my first run through the gearbox illustrated its precision, shorter shift throws, and less strenuous clutch work. The refinements are most notable in traffic, where the engine/transmission’s drivability is truly impressive for something packing so much horsepower.  

Gallop the Viper like a Spartan horse and its sonorous exhaust blat matches its otherworldly acceleration. Cornering and stopping power are magnitudes above what most drivers experience. Flat out, it will go over 200 mph.

The SRT group’s senior manager of vehicle synthesis, Herb Helbig, says the first thing Viper owners wanted in the updated car (also available as a convertible) was more power. Call them the “lunatic fringe” if you will, but like good Spartans they also wanted more ways to customize their mounts. Dodge has given them options including five new interior colors and three instrument bezel finishes as well as eight new exterior colors (mine was Venom Red) and three wheel styles. There are some 3,000 trim permutations, according to Helbig. Nevertheless, the Viper remains a visceral, minimalist machine, ready to slither onto a racetrack at a moment’s notice.

In my humble opinion, it’s the right approach to performance, lean and strong as a hammer. When was the last time you saw a fat Spartan?