2003 Dodge Viper Competition Coupe
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Info/Specs:
The race car will be sold in very limited numbers, expected to be about 25 each year. Due to the limited availability, purchase applications are being accepted from experienced racers only.
Prospective purchasers are required to show evidence of intent to actually race the car, along with current racing licenses and other information, and provide a certified deposit of $20,000.
Although the Dodge Viper Competition Coupe's feature-packed price tag will make it a comparative race car bargain at under $100,000, it is not "street legal," and cannot be titled for on-road use.
The Competition Coupe is not intended to replace the three-time Le Mans GTS Class-winning Viper GTS-R, but rather to be a grassroots-level race car based on the underpinnings of the 2003 Dodge Viper Convertible and sharing the sleek coupe shape of the Dodge Viper concept car first shown in 2000.
The Competition Coupe makes extensive use of production pieces, but delivers 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 Viper Competition Coupe will feature a single-seat cockpit with Recaro Pro Racer competition seat, Motec instrumentation and data acquisition system, and driver-adjustable front anti-roll bar. Power comes from a 520 horsepower (est.), 540 lb.-ft. of torque (est.), 505 cu. in. aluminum V-10 engine with six-speed transmission. The car features racing exhaust, a racing fuel cell, lexan rear window and wind tunnel-tuned aerodynamics, including rear wing, front splitter, rear diffuser and partial undertray.
Performance estimates put 0-60 mph acceleration times at 3.8 seconds; 0-100 mph at 9.2 seconds; 0-1/4-mile in 11.8 seconds at 123 mph; top speed 192 mph; 60-0 braking in 90 feet and lateral acceleration of 1.25 g.
The Dodge Viper Competition Coupe was officially unveiled in August 2001.
"It's no exaggeration to say customers began lining up the minute we pulled the cover off the new Viper Competition Coupe," said Jim Julow, Vice President, Dodge Global Brand Center. "We received an immediate response among the Viper owners and grassroots racers. It tells us we do a good job of listening to our customers. When we introduced the new 2003 Viper Convertible, they were the ones who asked for a version that they could race competitively on the weekends."
Dodge Viper Competition Coupes are being sold to participants in the SCCA Speedvision World Challenge, Grand American Grand-Am Cup Class and the Skip Thomas Viper Racing League. Production begins fourth quarter 2002.
Viper Chronology:
2001 MODEL YEAR
Viper Race Yellow and Deep Sapphire Blue Pearl Coat exterior colors
Optional Black center stripes with Viper Race Yellow on GTS
Standard four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes
2000 MODEL YEAR
Viper Steel Gray exterior color
Child seat tether anchorage
Revised ACR (American Club Racer) Group—Performance oil pan, Dynamic Suspensions adjustable monotube shock absorbers and new nameplate
1999 MODEL YEAR
18-inch aluminum wheels with Viper logo center caps and Michelin Pilot Sport™ tires
Cognac Connolly® leather interior group
Black exterior color with or without silver stripe
GTS ACR Group homologated for club racing (spring 1999 introduction)
1998 MODEL YEAR
Next-generation driver air Bag(a)
Passenger air bag on/off switch(b)
Exterior colors: Red with silver stripes (GTS), Silver with—or without—blue stripes
1997 MODEL YEAR
RT/10
Viper GTS Blue with white stripes and Viper Red color schemes
Gold wheel package
Lightweight engine with higher compression ratio and revised camshaft for increased power—450 bhp (335 kW)
Driver and passenger air bags(a)
Power windows
GTS
Yellow wheel package
Red exterior color
1996 MODEL YEAR
RT/10
Exterior design themes: Red with yellow wheels, Black with silver stripe and silver wheels, White with blue stripe and white wheels
Higher output engine (415 horsepower, 488 lb.-ft. torque)
All-aluminum front and rear suspension systems
GTS
Coupe body style introduced spring 1996
Viper GTS Blue with white stripe color scheme
Lightweight engine with higher compression ratio and revised camshaft for increased power—450 bhp (335 kW)
1995 MODEL YEAR
Passenger assist handle
Seat cushion storage pockets
1994 MODEL YEAR
Additional exterior colors: Emerald Green, Bright Yellow
Black and tan interior available
1993 MODEL YEAR
Black exterior color introduced
1992 MODEL YEAR
Initial introduction in mid-1992 model year
Limited production two-seat roadster (RT/10)
Exterior color: Red
All data provided by DaimlerChrysler
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