How Does The 1997 Viper GTS Compare to a 2016 Viper ACR?

Both Vipers are a punch-in-the-face of American grunt, but with 20 years between them, they’re hardly anything alike. 

Considering that both Vipers share similar driveline layouts, these cars couldn’t really be further from each other in terms of the drive they provide, and the performance they pump out. Way back in 1997, the Viper GTS was among the kings of the performance heap, but times have moved on, and now it’s just an also-ran. There are new full-sized sedans that are capable of stomping the old Viper on a track or drag strip alike. The new ACR is over a second quicker from 0-60, and would run rings around the GTS on track.

In this new video from Doug DeMuro, he brings his own ’97 Viper to “do battle” with a brand new ACR, knowing full well it’ll never hold a candle to the new car in terms of numbers and performance. In addition to the performance figure advantage, the new Viper has a lot of modern amenities that the 20-year-old car could never hope to see. Doug spends a lot of time and words to say that the ’97 looks far older than the new car.

CHECK OUT: What Forum Members Are Saying About This Decade-Spanning Comparo

Doug notes that when driving the cars, the new car feels much more balanced than his old-world Viper. With the engine sitting farther back in the chassis, the front end holds its weight much better than the forward-weighted 1997 model. One interesting thing to note is the ACR’s more aggressive throttle engagement feel; as Doug notes, it’s much harder to press down. The 1997 does offer a bit more charm, and it’s certainly less difficult to drive on the street and live with. Compared to the ACR, basically, any car is a Grand Touring car.

Which would you pick if given the option? And can you count how many times Doug says the words “my car”?

Via [Doug DeMuro]