Just in case you thought the Chrysler Group had faded away into family sedans and eco-friendly diesel engines, here's proof that the brand hasn't entirely lost touch with its irresponsible side.
The latest addition to Chrysler's Street & Racing Technology (SRT) family of performance vehicles is an all-new,450kW version of the Dodge Viper SRT10 called the ACR.
It's designed as a street-legal machine that can be driven to weekend track events - and hopefully home again. "With the all-new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR, SRT has taken the ultimate American sports car and injected it with an extra dose of racing DNA," said Mike Accavitti, communications manager for SRT.
"With the Viper SRT10 as the starting point, SRT engineered a combination of reduced weight, race-tuned suspension and aerodynamic improvements to create the ultimate Viper for the street and track."
SRT's 8.4-litre aluminium V10 engine produces 760Nm of torque. The six-speed manual gearbox drives through a limited-slip differential.
The ACR suspension includes coil-over racing dampers, which are adjustable for damping and ride height. The shocks are two-way adjustable without removing the wheels - to save time on the track - and they include a large range for compression and rebound.
Styling changes include a variable geometry "fanged" front splitter, an adjustable rear wing sculpted by Computational Fluid Dynamics, and optimised front dive planes.
These new aerodynamic devices are formed in carbon fibre. The splitter and dive planes feature a clear-coated carbon fibre weave on all Viper SRT10 ACR models.
Each Viper SRT10 ACR includes a track extension that replaces the centre splitter rub strip and fills out the fanged splitter scallop for closed-circuit events.
An optional interior package offers maximum weight savings by deleting the audio system, under-bonnet silencer pad, rear cargo carpet and tyre inflator. The radio is replaced by a lightweight cover that can be configured to mount the lap timer. The door speakers are replaced by lightweight carbon fibre panels.
The so-called Hard Core package offers an 18kg saving.
