Dodge Viper

The Dodge Viper was an American two-seat sports car produced by Dodge, later by SRT for the 2013 and 2014 model years.

The Dodge Viper was an American two‑seat sports car produced by Dodge, later by SRT for the 2013 and 2014 model years. It was first shown as a concept in 1989, entered production in 1991/1992 depending on source, and was discontinued in 2017 after roughly 32,000 examples were built.

History

The Viper originated as a Chrysler idea developed under Bob Lutz and Tom Gale in the late 1980s. A concept was shown in 1989, and the production model reached showrooms in the early 1990s.

Design and performance

The car was designed as a modern American interpretation of the Shelby Cobra, emphasizing high output and limited electronic assistance. Later versions used a 645‑horsepower V10 and were capable of very high top speeds.

Production and end of line

The Viper was built for more than two decades across five generations and was assembled at different Chrysler plants during its run. Production ended in 2017, with total output commonly given at about 31,850 to 32,000 units.

Legacy

The Dodge Viper became one of the best‑known American performance cars of its era. It is widely remembered for its aggressive styling, large‑displacement V10 engine, and minimalistic, track‑oriented character. Its legacy can be contrasted with other vehicles like the Chrysler 300, Ford Edge, and Honda Fit.