2013 Dodge (SRT) Viper GTS Review - V10 American Muscle - GT Sport | Reviews By Gil

The Dodge Viper has been a longtime rival to the Chevrolet Corvette. This year's Viper brings the performance to match the competition, both foreign and domestic.

2013 SRT Viper GTS

Before we begin, are you looking for solar panels in Florida? Remember, we can help you save money on your electric bill! Contact us for more information!

Interior

The design of the interior is the work of Klause Busse, former Vice President of interior design for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. He is currently leading design for Fiat, Abarth, Lancia, Alfa Romeo, and Maserati at Fiat Chrysler automobiles. That’s a very impressive resume. Our Viper GTS in Race Yellow had a full black interior, and sadly doesn’t do justice to the design language of the cabin. Be sure to opt for the red leather if you can. It really brightens up the interior and brings a feeling of quality and completeness. Start it up and you’ll be bathed in this red glow in the gauge cluster with them emblem of the Viper lurking in the background. The digital tachometer starts glowing red at 5000 RPM and grows with intensity as you approach the 6500 RPM redline. The passenger gets a hand hold positioned on the right side of the center console to reinforce that they should probably hold onto something.

Exterior

The beauty of this beast can be contributed to Ralph Gilles, former President of Chrysler’s SRT brand, and the late Sergio Marchionne, former CEO of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. It still has all the styling cues of the previous generation, but now available with a dash of elegance that puts the Viper GTS into another league. It’s arched back sits perfectly on the asphalt just waiting to pounce on its prey. The 18’’ wheels in the front and 19’’ wheels in the back help exaggerate this arch even further. The front possesses an angry face with two fangs in the middle of the lower grill that encompasses the spirit of the Viper. There are so many shapes and angles that contribute to the Viper’s fluid shape.

Power

Feast your eyes on the largest engine that was previously fitted to a production vehicle. Under the hood we have a massive 8.4-liter V10 producing a whopping 640-hp and 600 lb. Ft of torque. Power is very linear and constantly builds as the revs rise. Corners appear faster than you would expect them to and presented the opportunity to test the Viper's four-piston calipers which reduce speed at the same rate I reduce pizza.

So how did this behemoth of an engine come to be? Well, the Viper's V10 engine is loosely based on the small block Chrysler V8. While the V8 had a cast iron block, the Viper would use a lighter, all aluminum arrangement crafted with the help of Lamborghini - who they owned from 1987 to 1994. Many alterations have been made to the Viper's V10 over the years increasing power from the original 400-hp to 640-hp for the 2013 model year. Some of the goodies on the fifth generation Viper include forged pistons and improved intake runners.

2013 SRT Viper GTS

How does it drive?

The 2013 Dodge Viper GTS has some very long legs. You don't reach the top of second gear until 90 mph. Keep rowing through the gears and you'll hit a top speed of 206 mph. It may look intimidating, but the Viper is a very docile machine. This an old fashion example of pure, mechanical grip. If you opted for the track package, you'll receive 295 section tires up front and massive 335 section tires in the rear.

With that much rubber, the GTS has no issues putting it's 640-hp to the ground. If you find yourself in too low of a gear through a corner, there's available torque all over the rev range. The throws between the gears are short and precise as well. The steering is direct, but it isn't the fastest rack in the world - which is a good thing. It adds to the brutish charm that the Viper brings to the table. The V10 is smooth at slower speeds and is a nice change of pace from the traditional V8 American muscle cars we have loved over the years. Plus, the noise emitted from this V10 could wake Goliath.

Value

The original asking price for a base 2013 SRT Viper was just a hair under $100,000. Would you like the optional GTS package? Well, now you're closer to $123,000. A base 2013 Chevrolet Corvette would have only set you back a little over $50,000 but wouldn't have come close to the performance of the base Viper. The ZR-1 package would be a necessity if you're trying to match the performance of the Viper - which started at a touch over $111,000. While it was more expensive than the Corvette, the 2013 Viper brought an exotic presence in relation to the Corvette’s more common place nature.

What about options across the pond?

Back in 2013, a base Porsche 911 Carrera would set you back $82,100. The Turbo model would be your best bet for matching the performance of the Viper, and that started at $137,500. It's a similar story with the Audi R8. You needed at least $114,000 to get into a base R8, and that was only the V8 model with 420-hp. If you wanted 10 cylinders in your R8, you needed to shell out at least $151,200.

How about on the used market?

Vipers have held their value considerably well over the years. Used examples of the Viper will still set you back around $70,000. The ZR-1 Corvette is a tad cheaper on the used market with clean examples being available for around $60,000. The Viper does beat out the Porsche Turbo and Audi R8 on the used market with both examples being available on Autotrader for as low as $82,995 and $79,997 respectively. The European options may be more luxurious, but the charm of a big, American V10 up front would be my desired choice.

Should you buy one?

I've always loved the Dodge Viper. It has always been the naughty alternative to the Chevrolet Corvette. Through the 90s it was a brutal representation of what a V10 powered American sports car should be. The new GTS brings all the excitement of its predecessors as well as some creature comforts for every day use. If you’re looking for a 600+ horse power super car, the Viper GTS should be on your list.

2013 SRT Viper GTS

Conclusion

The mighty Viper's reign ended in 2017 due to lack of sales and being unable to pass safety regulations that required side curtain airbags. The American snake wouldn't be able to accommodate the new regulation without significant redesigns, so it was time for the Viper to be put to rest for now. The Dodge Viper has come a long way since its arrival in 1991. What was once a crude, barn-door creation has turned into a well-sorted performer to rival domestic and foreign competitors.

Craving More?

Check out last week's review of the 2001 BMW Z8!

Check out our online business opportunities!

Check out our LTL shipping solutions nationwide!