2009 Dodge Viper - A High Performance, Powerful Machine

The 2009 Dodge Viper is far from just being an ordinary sports car, in fact the Viper's main competitions is The vehicle's main competition is the Chevy Corvette and the Porsche 911.  This says something about the 2009; the Viper SRT10 is part of an elite group of exotic performance roadsters. Dodge's top end, two-door, and performance sports car is available in roadster or coupe form and comes in at under $100,000.  The value for what you get with the Viper can't be matched. Driving the Viper is not to be taken lightly; it is the only production 600-hp car sold in the United States that does not have all-wheel drive, electronic stability control, or both, and as such is not recommended for the inexperienced. The Viper is largely unchanged for 2009 but the SRT10 model should get better mileage than its predecessor's 12/20 mpg (city/highway) even though it makes more power, all a result of better technology. Five new colors are available for 2009, including Snakeskin Green and Viper Violet. Also for 2009 there is a revised center console bezel housing a pair of recessed window switches. The 2009 Dodge Viper has a starting MSRP of $85,545 - $86,295.  Standard features include an antilock braking system, all-disc antilock Brembo brakes, adjustable pedals, smart key that immobilizes the engine in a theft attempt, and a security alarm.

Driving the Viper

The Viper is loaded with performance features, these include dual exhaust, a limited slip differential, Koni shocks, anti-lock brakes with front and rear vented discs, "Z" rated performance tires on 18 inch front and 19 inch rear forged alloy wheels.  This is one car you do not want to mess with; it is certainly not for the weary. Extremely tall gearing means a Viper will idle at more than 40 mph in top gear.  Its low-rpm torque and excellent tractability allows it to go uphill at 1000 rpm in fifth gear without complaint.   Ride comfort is great for this type of car, and brakes are immense and easy to modulate; a light touch of the pedal brings mild slowing, with slowing increasing directly with more pedal pressure.   The Viper is a brutally honest car and if you direct it out of control, it will go out of control.  However, around town the Viper could almost be called docile. The new twin-disc clutch takes less effort and offers smoother, more precise engagement, so you can get in motion without even using the throttle.

2009 Viper Cabin

 Although the Viper has a tiny cabin space, the coupe has about 14.7 cubic feet of cargo room, compared to the roadster which has 8.4 cubic feet.  The aggressively bolstered bucket seats are covered in leather with suede inserts, and the instrument panel is dominated by a large white-faced tachometer. Air conditioning in the Viper is standard and quickly cools the tiny cabin.  Visibility is relatively good for a low-riding Viper.  The seats in the 2009 Viper don't sport long cushions for thigh support and big bolsters to keep you contained; you wouldn't slide far without them given the wall-size center console and door adjacent. Seat controls are manual and limited to forward and backward; there's no lumbar or cushion height adjustment, but the tilt wheel and power adjustable pedals help everyone fit. Leather trims the steering wheel and shift knob, while seats have suede-like center sections with color options; the seat sides and interior are all black.  There's no spare tire, instead there's a small air compressor and fix-kit.

Dodge Viper Design

The Viper body is shaped as much for function as style. The Viper SRT10's hood features gill-like vents on either side of the central scoop. Forged aluminum wheels in three styles are offered; they measure 18 inches in front and 19 inches in back.  It is made of composite materials over a steel frame, with aluminum sills and strengthened cowl.  Viper's sharp front edges feel like it is saying "get out of my way." Cooling air is funneled in through the trademark four-slot grille and exhausted through six extractor vents in the hood; when idling or moving very slowly the hot air wafting out those vents makes the forward view distorted much like the rear window glass. The roadster's folding soft top is manually-operated and stows neatly behind the seats but you must get out of the car to complete the five-second operation. Xenon headlamps are standard, finally endowing the Viper with suitable vision for night drives; the snake's head center brake light continues.

Viper Power

In 2008, the Viper's engine was upgraded to assuage consumers' thirst for more power; its output was bumped to 600 horsepower and 560 pounds-feet of torque. The 2009 Viper comes with a standard 8.4 liter V10 engine and a six-speed manual transmission The Viper SRT10's V-10 engine makes 600 hp and 560 pounds-feet of torque.  The V-10 has variable exhaust-valve timing and its cylinder heads are new. A six-speed manual transmission is standard; the Viper SRT10 can reach 60 mph from a standstill in less than 4 seconds.  The 2009 Dodge Viper has been improved for this model year.  The SR10 previously got content 510 horsepower, and it now makes 600 hp from an enlarged V-10 engine; quite a good improvement in a year. 


Summary

The 2009 Viper is an extreme performing machine at an affordable price; that is relatively speaking of course. The biggest benefits of the Dodge Viper are its huge amount of power, its light clutch, a short throw shifter, and the convertible's operation. The downsides of this '09 model are its unease of getting in and out (with it so low), and there is no cruise control or cup holder in the cabin.  Really, though, describing the 2009 Viper in two words would be 'no compromises'.  The Viper meets every expectation for performance, and for this vehicle that is really what matters. Read a history of the Dodge Viper for a look back on past models.