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If you like raw muscle power in a car, the Dodge Viper 2008 won’t disappoint you. Its makers have pushed up the horse power from 510 to 600, putting it in the same league as some of the best performance cars in the industry. A whopping 560 ft-lbs. of torque, up by 25 from the previous version, does not hurt either.
All the changes made are courtesy of a gifted team of engineers at McLaren Performance Technologies who have given this power-car an enhanced displacement that has now gone up from 8.3 to 8.4 liters, improved cylinder heads, bigger size valves and a host of other modifications.
One result is the Viper can go from standstill to 60mph in an impressive under-four seconds, and growls in a suitably “let-me-go-and-I-will-show-you-what-I-can-do” fashion which sports car enthusiasts are going to find absolutely irresistible.
They will also find the new lesser-diameter, twin-disc clutch very smooth and useful because it lets the driver go easy on pedal effort while drastically improving the feel of engagement.
But the power and beauty of the 2008 Dodge Viper lies not only in the ability to go, but also in its ability to stop, and fast. It comes equipped with 14-inch brake rotors gripped by Brembo 44/40 dual-opposing piston calipers in the front, and Brembo 42/38 similar calipers in the back.
During hard braking, the Viper won’t automatically go into lockup mode thanks to the innovative anti-lock braking system. The net result: exceptional braking performance that will take you from 60mph to standstill within thirty meters. In fact, engineers have really made driving this beast a lot easier, not to mention safer.
The new Dodge Viper is easy on the eyes as well, much like its predecessor. Dodge has kept the external styling similar, retaining the striking hood for both the coupe and the roadster versions. If anything, the shape is slightly more dramatic, and is offered in five new colors, the predictable Venom Red, Viper Orange and Bright Blue, but also the slightly doubtful Snakeskin Green and Viper Violet.
The Viper's interior is race-inspired and comes in different color options. You can pick from three different types of wheels, and can also opt for the racing car stripes which are available in six separate styles to give your car that ultimate predatory look.
The Viper is a crowd puller for Dodge, and the company has been careful to retain the no-frills, power-packed image of this vehicle. If you want a car that packs almost as much punch as a megabucks Ferrari but does not damage your purse quite so much, the Dodge Viper 2008 is your car.