Dodge Viper SRT revealed in US

SRT stands for Street and Racing Technology (Chrysler's equivalent of our own HSV or FPV) and the 2013-spec Viper from Chrysler's performance arm carries on the Viper tradition, most notably in the Blue and white stripe of the GTS model from 2006.

Both 2013 SRT Viper and SRT Viper GTS Launch Editions feature performance and specification upgrades over the stock Dodge Viper. Chief amongst these is the 600 lb/ft torque figure delivered by the Viper's 8.4 litre V10 engine. SRT claim this is the most torque of any naturally-aspirated sports car engine in the world.

Body is a combined carbon fibre and aluminium construction that delivers a claimed drag coefficient of .364, while weight reductions improve the Viper's power-to-weight ratio. Chassis enhancements reportedly improve torsional stiffness. Standard safety features on the SRT Viper Launch Editions include ABS, traction control and multi-stage stability control.

Inside, the SRT Viper Launch Editions feature a serialised dash plaque that aligns the build sequence number to the VIN. Seats are trimmed in black Laguna leather with contrasting stitching, with leather also used for the steering wheel trim, door trims, instrument panel, gear shifter and centre console. Headlining is in alcantara fabric, and white-face instruments are trimmed in satin silver.

SRT Viper Launch Editions feature modern five-spoke polished aluminium-alloy wheels, with a new logo on the centre caps, that's repeated on the bonnet. The new design, dubbed "Stryker" was chosen from attendees at the 2010 Viper Owners Invitational in the USA. Stryker is the third incarnation of the Viper logo, and the first since 2003, following on from "Sneaky Pete" and "Fang". Exclusive to the Launch Edition models will be a blue background for the Stryker logo instead of grey.

The 2013 Dodge SRT Viper and SRT Viper GTS Launch Editions will be available in the US later this year.