Take a look at the 2013 SRT Viper GTS on the dyno!

The first copies of the 2013 SRT Viper to reach consumers
may not arrive until February as the Chrysler Group works to make sure that
there are no “bugs” in the first batch of production supercars but thanks to
the folks at Edmunds.com, we get a look at the 2013 SRT Viper GTS on the dyno
for the first time.  The results are
right about where we would expect the new Viper to be in terms of wheel
horsepower with an output of 558 horsepower and 528lb-ft of torque but more
importantly – these figures put the Viper slightly ahead of the Corvette ZR1 in
terms of the amount of power available at the wheels.

The 2013 SRT Viper GTS tested by Edmunds is rated as having
640 horsepower and 600lb-ft of torque but that number is at the transmission –
not at the wheels.  Due to the fact that
the power has to travel from the engine through the transmission, down the
driveshaft, through the rear differential and along the rear axles en route to
the asphalt, there is a given amount of power that is lost and that figure is
referred to as drivetrain loss.  In a
rear wheel drive car, we generally assume a drivetrain loss of 12-15% so in
theory, the 640 horsepower Viper should make between 544 and 563 after that unavoidable
power loss.  The figure of 558 horsepower
is in the middle of that range and 558 wheel horsepower from 640 horsepower at
the crankshaft gives the Viper a drivetrain loss rate of just 12.5%.

I looked around the internet a bit and found that
CorvetteForum.com, those who have dyno tested their stock Corvette ZR1 have
seen wheel horsepower numbers in the range of 540-550 horsepower so while it is
only a small margin – the 2013 Viper seems to have a slight advantage in how
much power it puts to the road.  Also,
based on the fact that the Corvette ZR1 offers 638 horsepower at the
crankshaft, it seems as though the Viper is more efficient in terms of putting
its available power to the road.

We are sure to see more test results like this for the 2013
SRT Viper – especially once the privately owned models begin reaching the hands
of owners, racers and performance shops around the country as soon as next
month.  The battle with the Corvette ZR1
is going to be a tight one and according to Chrysler, fitting the new Viper
with the right driver will allow the new Mopar supercar to best the top of the
line Corvette.

Check out the video below of the 2013 SRT Viper GTS on the
dyno from the folks at Edmunds and Click here to talk about the 2013 SRT Viper in the Viper section here on DodgeForum.com!

Patrick Rall

"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.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

Rall can be contacted at QuickMirada@Yahoo.com

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