Since being introduced for the 1992 model year, the Dodge Viper has been one of the most powerful American cars ever and over the past 20+ years, the Viper become one of the most respected supercars in the world. Although the current Viper definitely harkens back to previous generations for its exterior design, the 2013 SRT Viper adds a level of sophistication that is expected of a modern supercar without having impact on the sheer, raw awesomeness that comes through driving this beast.
Every Viper ever built – whether it wears a Dodge badge or the SRT logo – is an incredible part of American motoring history but which is your favorite? Would you want to say that you had one of the original Viper roadsters from the first generation or maybe the first Viper GTS Coupe from gen two? What about the monster 2010 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR that set track records all around the world or maybe the new high tech 2013 SRT Viper that packs more power than ever along with all sorts of helpers to ensure that you get the most from your supercar? There are pictures showing each generation below with their most powerful engine option from that generation with Gen III and Gen IV combined into one since they looked pretty much identical to each other.
Gen I – 1992-1995 – 8.0L V10, 400hp, 465lb-ft of torque
Gen II – 1996-2002 8.0L – 450hp, 490lb-ft of torque
Gen III/IV – 2003-2010 – 8.4L – 600hp, 560lb-ft of torque
Gen V – 2013 – Present – 8.4L 640hp, 600lb-ft of torque
If money was truly no issue so buying a loaded 2013 SRT Viper GTS would impact your bank account no less than buying a pristine 1992 Dodge Viper RT/10 – which generation would you pick? Click here to head into the forum to tell us which Viper would be your choice if you could have any year and model Viper that you wanted.
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
