Last night, the Chrysler Group announced the first bits of
pricing information for the 2013 SRT Viper and SRT Viper GTS – with the “base
model” Viper starting at $97,395 while the higher performance Viper GTS starts
at $120,395.This pricing information
will allow dealerships to offer a 640 horsepower supercar for less than the
2013 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 while also offering a higher end model with a price
slightly above that of the ZR1.
The starting price of the 2013 SRT Viper of $97,395 plus
destination fee of $1,995 brings the “final” starting price to $99,390.Compare that to the $112,600 (not including
destination) price of the 2013 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 and the 2013 Viper offers
prospective supercar buyers a smoking hot deal…some $13k less than the supercharged
Corvette.For this price, Viper buyers
get the new all aluminum 8.4L V10 engine that sends 640 horsepower and 600lb-ft
of torque to the rear wheels via a close ratio 6-speed manual transmission.The new Viper also includes a reworked
suspension system that should afford the 2013 Viper better handling properties
than the 2010 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe…while also looking awesome in the
process.
Those who want more performance out of their new Mopar
supercar can opt for the 2013 SRT Viper GTS which begins at $122,390 including
destination.In addition to offering a
more high-end interior treatment featuring Nappa leather and a 12 speaker Harman
Kardon sound system, the Viper GTS is equipped with Chrysler’s high tech dual
mode active suspension system that should insure that this is the best
road-going Viper of all time.The Viper
GTS also wears specific wheels wrapped in high performance rubber to help the
driver get the most out of their new American supercar.
It will be interesting to see actual real world performance
numbers of the 2013 SRT Viper.On paper,
the new base Viper is an incredible value compared to the Corvette ZR1 but the
question is this…can the base Viper compete with the ZR1 without the dual mode
suspension system?That new active
suspension system is only offered in the Viper GTS, allowing both incredible
handling on the track along with a smooth ride when supreme handling
characteristics aren’t needed.If the
base 2013 SRT Viper is able to compete with the ZR1 on a road course, we can
expect the Viper GTS to really make short work of the Chevy.
"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.
