The creation of the Dodge Viper in 1992 brought forward one of the most powerful, best looking, and best handling sports cars ever made in America. With it's all new 488ci V-10, the Viper was pumping out a huge 415 horsepower , and a brain flattening 488 lb.-ft of torque . These numbers allowed the original Viper to run 0-60 MPH in 4.8 seconds, and through the quarter mile in 13.1 second at 109 MPH. But the original Viper was impractical for daily use, without real door handles, air conditioning, or even roll down windows. After 1996, the legend had established itself, and the first generation Viper was ready to be replaced.
Chrysler redesigned the Viper, added a roof, air conditioning, airbags, real door handles, and everything that would make the car drivable in everyday traffic. The chassis was redesigned, along with the suspension, and the engine was redesigned with an aluminum block and heads, replacing the iron block previously employed in Vipers, and gained 35 horsepower in the process. The result was the GTS coupe, the most amazing sports car ever to be produced in America. With acceleration times that will blow you away, the Viper is serious competition for other supercars on the market, such as the Porsche 911, Ferrari F355, and Lotus Esprit V8 . And with a price tag well under $100 000US, it rivals as one of the best bargains for a super-car.
With the introduction of the GTS Coupe , the RT/10 went off the market in 1997 to attend supercar refinement classes. Dodge engineers adapted the GTS chassis and suspension, as well as it's engine, and re-released the RT/10 for 1998, now making 450 horsepower and 490 lb.-ft of torque . The handling was now improved, along with the demeanor of the car, now with all of the civilities of it's big brother.
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