Want to know the price of the Dodge Viper in New Zealand? So do we. But Chrysler isn't saying, at least not until it unveils right-hand-drive versions of the V10-powered car at Pukekohe race track next month.
The only clue to the cost is the price of the cars in Australia
- $A250,000 ($NZ279,000) each.
The RT/10 Roadster and GTS Coupe were converted to right-hand-drive by Melbourne company Viperformance, a specialist operation since 1994, and went on sale there last month.
The same company will also work on the second-generation Viper, which went into production in America in September.
The current right-hand-drive models for Australia and New Zealand are first-generation variants, launched in America in 1992.
Both are powered by an 8-litre V10 engine producing 336kW (450bhp) at 5200rpm and 664Nm of torque at 3700rpm. The engine redlines at 6000rpm and the fuel shuts off at 6200rpm. The second-generation Viper is powered by an 8.3-litre version of the same engine, producing 375kW (500bhp) and about 675Nm of torque.
The Americans are calling it a 500/500/500 car. That's 500bhp, 500ft-lb of torque and 500cubic inches, all going to the rear wheels. Viperformance is expected to start RHD conversions next May.
