Viper Competition Coupe Announced By Chrysler

[Viper 10]

Dodge to Produce Viper Coupe for Racing



Viper Endurance Racing

By Bill Hamilton
Story date - Aug 18, 2001

Monterey, Calif. (Aug. 18, 2001) -- In August 1995, Dodge unveiled an
extraordinary racing coupe that would ultimately make an historic mark on the
world's motorsports stage.

The Dodge Viper GTS-R was the answer to enthusiasts and competitors who asked
if a racing version of the amazing Viper RT/10 was in the works. In a repeat of
history, Dodge today unveiled the next chapter in the Dodge Viper racing legacy,
the new Viper Competition Coupe.

"We knew when we introduced the GTS-R race car that it was ambitious, yet
extremely logical," said Jim Julow, Vice President, Dodge Global Brand Center.
"We set out to develop a history and tradition for our brand's performance icon that
would cast a halo over every racing endeavor, and every car and truck we built.

"The Dodge Viper has exceeded our highest goals for what an American sports car
should be. But as we turn the page and herald the arrival of the third chapter in the
car's history - the 2003 Dodge Viper RT-10 Convertible - we can't lose sight of the
heritage this car has built. And with that, we introduce a new generation of Dodge
Viper racing car, the Competition Coupe."

With a coupe-shaped composite body based largely on the Dodge Viper GTS/R
concept car shown at the 2000 North American International Auto Show, and a
track-ready chassis based on the new 2003 Dodge Viper RT-10 convertible, this
new car should emerge as a serious competitor from the first lap.

Every effort has been made to produce an affordable yet competitive GT-class race
car, and Dodge executives expect high demand from its competition-oriented
Dodge Viper owner base.

"The idea for a next-generation racing version came from the Viper owner body
about 18 months ago," said John Fernandez, Director, DaimlerChrysler
Performance Vehicle Operations. "A large proportion of owners enjoy racing their
cars in organized competition."

"At the same time, DaimlerChrysler has received inquiries from major motorsports
sanctioning bodies looking for Dodge Viper participation," added Fernandez.
"Based on the input we're receiving, there appears to be real demand for a factory
race car."

Dodge officials expect to build 25 cars in the first year, but have the ability to
expend production as demand grows. Plans include technical support for
competitors at all major events. Parts may also be offered through
DaimlerChrysler's Mopar Performance Parts division, and available through
dealerships nationwide.

The Competition Coupe makes extensive use of production pieces to keep the
estimated retail price under $100,000. With well-over 500 horsepower and 500
lb.-ft. of torque on tap from even the stock 505 cubic-inch 2003 Dodge Viper
RT-10, the Competition Coupe will deliver racers an extremely high level of
performance for the price. A full complement of racing enhancements, including
cage, window net, fire suppression system, six-point restraints, racing slicks,
differential cooler and ducted brakes ensure that the Dodge Viper Competition
Coupe is track-ready as delivered.

The Dodge Viper Competition Coupe cannot be titled for highway use.

The Viper Competition Coupe's sleek concept car shape retains the 2003 RT-10
Convertible's windshield, and as a result, affords the driver two inches of additional
headroom as compared to the GTS/R concept car.

Among those events in which the Dodge Viper Competition Coupe would be
eligible to compete are:

Skip Thomas Viper Racing League -- The Viper Competition Coupe will
have its own class and be the primary wheel-to-wheel event at the Viper
Days weekend
Grand American Cup -- The Viper Competition Coupe is eligible to
compete in the Grand Sports Class with the Chevrolet Corvette and
Porsche
911
Speedvision World Challenge -- The Viper Competition Coupe is eligible
to compete in these American Le Mans Series support races

The Competition Coupe's predecessor -- called the Dodge Viper GTS-R and based
on the 1996 Dodge Viper GTS Coupe -- passes on one of the most distinguished
pedigrees in the modern history of endurance racing. The Viper GTS-R earned five
international GT championships including the 1999 and 2000 American Le Mans
Series GTS class titles and the 1997-1999 FIA GT Championships. The Viper
finished 1-2 in the GTS class in three consecutive years -- 1998-2000 -- and
notched an amazing overall win at the 2000 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, the first
for an American production-based car.

The Dodge Viper race car began life in the GT1 class in 1996. The escalating
costs persuaded the manufacturer to switch to the GT2 class for the 1997 season.
The Viper's production volumes (approximately 2,000 annually) qualified it for the
category and it embarked on a racing program that was to earn it a reputation as
the most successful American production-based racing car of all time.


As Dodge began to focus more of its engineering resources on development of the
next Viper -- the 2003 RT-10 --it was announced in December 2000 that the Dodge
would take a hiatus from its factory support for Viper endurance racing.

There are no plans at this time to homologate the Dodge Viper Competition
Coupe for American Le Mans Series or 24 Hours of Le Mans racing.

[Viper 10]

Are the guys at GM shaking in their boots yet?

I would be willing to bet that Bob Lutz will have a response to this program...

Brad


Here's the official specs:

DODGE VIPER COMPETITION COUPE
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS

GENERAL INFORMATION

Body Style Single-seat Grand Touring competition coupe (not street legal)
Assembly Plant DaimlerChrysler Conner Avenue Assembly Plant (CAAP), Detroit

ENGINE: 8.3-LITER, OHV 20-VALVE SMPI V-10

Type and Description 10-cylinder 90-degree V-type, liquid-cooled
Displacement 505 cubic inches
Construction 356-T6 aluminum alloy block with cast-iron liners, aluminum alloy cylinder
heads
Bore x Stroke 4.03 inches x 3.96 inches
Valve System Two pushrod-actuated overhead valves per cylinder with roller-type
hydraulic lifters
Fuel Injection Sequential, multi-port electronic with individual runners
Compression Ratio 9.6
Power (SAE net) 520 horsepower (est.) @ 5600 rpm
Torque (SAE net) 540 lb.-ft. (est.) @ 4600 rpm
Max Engine Speed 6100 rpm
Fuel Requirement Premium (93 octane)
Oil Capacity 10 quarts, Mobil 1 10W50 Synthetic
Exhaust System Stainless steel tubular headers, GTS-R-style low-restriction racing
mufflers, side exit

Emission Controls N/A

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Alternator 125-Ampere high-speed
Battery Leak-resistant maintenance-free 650 CCA

FUEL SYSTEM

Type Racing fuel cell
Capacity 26.4 gallons (100 liters)

TRANSMISSION: MANUAL, SIX-SPEED OVERDRIVE

Type Tremec T-56 synchronized 6-speed manual
Gear Ratios
1st 2.66
2nd 1.78
3rd 1.30
4th 1.00
5th 0.74
6th 0.50
Effective Final Drive 3.07
Overall Top Gear 1.54

FINAL DRIVE

Description Frame-mounted hypoid bevel gear with speed-sensing limited-slip
differential

DIMENSIONS/CAPACITIES

Wheelbase 98.8 inches
Track, Front 61.6 inches
Track, Rear 64.6 inches
Overall Length 184.1 inches
Overall Width 77.2 inches (body), 79.1 inches (mirrors)
Overall Height 46.7 inches
Ground Clearance 3.0 inches
Curb Weight 3,200 lbs.
Weight Distribution, F/R 50/50
Frontal Area 21.5 ft
Drag Coefficient .40

ACCOMMODATIONS

Seating Capacity 1
Type Recaro Pro Racer competition seat
Instrumentation Motec race dash and data acquisition system with ECU interface,
carbon fiber dash panels
Cockpit features CNC-machined front anti-roll bar adjuster, fire suppression activation
switch, electrical system cut-off

SAFETY

Features Driver-activated fire suppression system, custom-fitted side-window netting,
Team Tech six-point driver restraint system

BODY/CHASSIS

Layout Longitudinal front engine, rear-wheel drive
Chassis Construction Backbone tubular steel space frame with separate cowl
structure and FIA-legal safety cage incorporating engine
bracing
Body Construction Composite body panels, Lexan rear window
Aerodynamics Wind-tunnel tuned rear wing, front splitter and rear diffuser, partial
undertray

SUSPENSION

Front Cast-aluminum unequal-length upper and lower "A" arms with spherical bearing
frame attachments, 2.25" race springs, Dynamic
Suspensions monotube coil-over, compression and rebound-adjustable dampers,
driver-adjustable blade-type anti-roll bar, six-lug
production hubs

Rear Cast aluminum unequal-length upper and lower "A" arms with spherical bearing
frame attachments, Dynamic Suspensions
monotube coil-over, compression and rebound-adjustable dampers, high rate anti-roll
bar, six-lug production hubs

STEERING

Type Power-assisted rack and pinion, solid mounted with travel restrictors
Overall Ratio 16.7
Turning Diameter 61.2 feet
Steering Turns 1.60
Column Production Viper with tilt
Wheel GTS-R type race wheel

TIRES

Type Michelin Pilot racing slicks
Size, Front P305/35ZR18
Size, Rear P345/30ZR19

WHEELS

Type and Material Three piece BBS, forged aluminum centers
Size, Front 18x11
Size, Rear 19x14

BRAKES

Type Four-wheel vented cast-iron disc, Brembo four-piston/two-pad with advanced
ABS. Electronically adjustable front-rear bias, carbon
fiber front cooling ducts

DODGE VIPER COMPETITION COUPE PERFORMANCE ESTIMATES

0-60 mph Acceleration: 3.8 sec.
0-100 mph Acceleration: 9.2 sec.
0-1/4-mile Acceleration: 11.8 sec. @ 123 mph
Top Speed: 192 mph
60-0 Braking: 90 ft.
100-0 Braking: 260 ft.
Lateral Acceleration: 1.25g

[DakotaRTdriver]

There is a God! they did it! I LOVE Dodge! If I can only win the lottery and be able to cut off my legs from my shin down and then. . . . . . aw shucks! I'll never be able to get/fit into one. I wish God had made me smaller!

[Viper 10]

Originally posted by DakotaRTdriver
There is a God! they did it! I LOVE Dodge! If I can only win the lottery and be able to cut off my legs from my shin down and then. . . . . . aw shucks! I'll never be able to get/fit into one. I wish God had made me smaller!

Matt:

There are guys that are as tall as 6'5" tall that drive Vipers today. The new car is going to have a longer wheelbase and will be roomier than today's car. I think that most of the tall guys either bolt the seat to the floorboard or swap seats for a racing shell.

Dont' give up hope.

Brad

[Maxwedge]

hey brad
I notice that they spec out a 19X14 tire
How big are yours???

[Viper 10]

Originally posted by Maxwedge
hey brad
I notice that they spec out a 19X14 tire
How big are yours???

Mine are 17x13 and the 335's barely fit. When you lay the tire and wheel on its side they come to rest on the rim (and not the curve of the tire).

By the way this is one of the things that we are going to do on our signature cars. This move by Dodge with this car only validates it.

Have a great day.

Brad

[Maxwedge]

The reason I asked is that I just got into a debate witha Buick Guy claiming that if they did a Pure Stock Muscle car drag with Modern Musclecars(ie cars after 1986). He claimed that the Buick GNs would walk away from basically everyone...I beg to Differ..Mr Buick with his 7 inch(210 width tire) is at a real disadvantage.
Plus he is going to want to run in what is called the SA class(stock Appearing) which means basically heads/intake/carbs(or throttle bodies)Rear ends and tires have factory correct numbers for that year. The car has to sound stock at idle. Basically anything an inspector could check visually for or hear has to be like it was when new. IMH I feel a Viper with some super low rear gears could get into mid to low 11s with no real problems and into the 10 with some Engine mods and moving the engine. I dont however feel the Buick and its tires are much of a match...
JMHO
MW