VIPER. IS THIS the purest sports car engine on the planet?
Discussion
I was visited today by an American friend, living here, who has recently imported his pride and joy from Fort Worth, Texas, to Norfolk, UK.
Naturally aspirated? Tick. 645 bhp as stock (654 PS)? Tick. Similar weight to a BMW 320i? Tick. The most monstrous yet un-turbo-like thrust from as little as 1,500 rpm? Tick. Manual gearbox? Tick. 600 ft-lb @ 5,000 rpm? Tick. 195 mph as standard? Tick. RWD? Tick.
It won't float everyone's boat, being LHD and very wide indeed but that 2017 Viper 8.4 V10 was really something to listen to and experience with the loud pedal to the floor. It's apparently a bit too warm for the driver and passenger in summer, but presumably not such a problem here as in Texas, or Arizona where he used to live. Old-fashioned boring USA engine technology? Sure, the basic lump was designed for a freaking truck, way back. But the OHV, 2-valve per cylinder motor breathes fury and mayhem without trying. Those poor 345-section 20 inch rear tyres! Good luck!
It pulls a top gear giving 51 mph per 1,000 revs, the highest i have ever known for a petrol car. Not sure any diesels can do that tbh and they won't rev to 6,700 rpm!
Fabulous car which isn't universally liked here i have noticed. But do we have any Viper fans here? I never thought i'd entertain one but after today, well maybe i will scratch that itch next year.
Naturally aspirated? Tick. 645 bhp as stock (654 PS)? Tick. Similar weight to a BMW 320i? Tick. The most monstrous yet un-turbo-like thrust from as little as 1,500 rpm? Tick. Manual gearbox? Tick. 600 ft-lb @ 5,000 rpm? Tick. 195 mph as standard? Tick. RWD? Tick.
It won't float everyone's boat, being LHD and very wide indeed but that 2017 Viper 8.4 V10 was really something to listen to and experience with the loud pedal to the floor. It's apparently a bit too warm for the driver and passenger in summer, but presumably not such a problem here as in Texas, or Arizona where he used to live. Old-fashioned boring USA engine technology? Sure, the basic lump was designed for a freaking truck, way back. But the OHV, 2-valve per cylinder motor breathes fury and mayhem without trying. Those poor 345-section 20 inch rear tyres! Good luck!
It pulls a top gear giving 51 mph per 1,000 revs, the highest i have ever known for a petrol car. Not sure any diesels can do that tbh and they won't rev to 6,700 rpm!
Fabulous car which isn't universally liked here i have noticed. But do we have any Viper fans here? I never thought i'd entertain one but after today, well maybe i will scratch that itch next year.
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