Like all new Vipers, the TA has an X-brace
over the engine, but this one isn’t aluminum. It’s carbon fiber and 2 pounds
lighter. Keeping with the weight-saving theme, all the TA’s badges are
stickers. The TA’s as-tested weight is 3332 pounds, including the tow hook.
(The hook and the receiver mount probably won’t make the production cars). For
comparison, the standard SRT Viper weighs 3343 pounds, and the GTS clocks in at
3362, though the first one we tested was only 3357-the revised GTS has new
seats. As for the now-defunct Corvette ZR1, 3344 pounds. The only special
interior bit on the TA is orange contrast stitching. The first 33 cars off the
line and the only ones on sale in 2013 (around September) will be painted in
the Crusher Orange color you see here, a play on the classic Mopar hue Orange
Crush. If you’re wondering where they got 33 from, keep reading. (Hint: lap
time). Starting in 2014, SRT will sell you a TA in black or white. There are no
interior options to speak of, though that could change. If you’re seeking
luxury, it’s best to get the pricier, leatherier GTS. However, if unadulterated
performance is what you’re after, think TA
The
only special interior bit on the TA is orange contrast stitching
Even though the 640-hp, 600-lb-ft,
8.4-liter monster V-10 is unchanged, the TA is the quickest Viper we’ve ever
tested: 60 mph happens in a scant, ZR1-beating 3.3 seconds and the quarter mile
in 11.3 seconds with a rip-snorting trap speed of 129.3 mph. For reference, the
Viper GTS on Corsas needs 11.4 seconds at 128.7 mph, and the Corvette ZR1 takes
11.4 seconds at 128.8 mph. True, the 25-pound difference between the GTS and
the TA could be the reason (unlikely), but our testing crew’s best guess is
that the revised (and softer) suspension helps the TA hook up better. Braking
from 60 mph takes just 94 feet, 1 foot longer than the GTS and 3 feet greater
than the ZR1. Around our figure eight, the Viper broke into the 22s at 22.9
seconds, which means it’s not only the best-handing Viper we’ve ever seen (23.2
for the GTS), but it’s quicker than the ZR1 (23 seconds flat). In fact, 22.9
places the Viper TA at an all-time second place (tied with the Porsche GT2 RS)
just behind the Corvette Z06, which ran 22.8 seconds. In terms of performance,
the Viper TA is absolutely world-class.
Like
all new Vipers, the TA has an X-brace over the engine, but this one isn’t
aluminum
For the first time ever, I found myself
behind the wheel of a Viper I felt wasn’t actively trying to hurt me. IN the
great tradition of all excellent track cars, the TA felt almost totally
neutral. Sure, get on the power too early/aggressively, and the back end will
swing out. Overcook her into a corner, and you can induce some understeer. But
for the most part, the TA was an absolute sweetheart on Laguna Seca. When we
did the original comparison with the ZR1, I complained that it was hard to
drive the Viper GTS quickly on the track: “I found myself constantly jerking
and sawing at the wheel through every corner of the track”. Well, friends,
that’s all changed and for the better. In the TA, you can actually focus on the
racing line, instead of keeping the car in line. To be fair and accurate, the
revised GTS and base Viper we tested concurrently with the new TA also handle
much better than previous Vipers. But the TA is better still. Sure, for the
hard-core Viper faithful – the kind of guys who look at a bottle of Burning
Rectum Hot Sauce and think, “yum” – this might come across as bad news. But for
the rest of us, a better-handling, less-frightening car is an extremely good
thing.
You
can focus on the racing line, instead of keeping the car in line
Just ask Randy Pobst, the race driver who
holds the production car lap record at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in the ZR1. I
suppose I should amend that to “held”, as Randy beat his own record in the
Viper TA. On February 27, 2013, he went around MRLS in 1:33.62 seconds, beating
his time in the Corvette ZR1 by a miniscule 0.08 second. Talk about close! Says
Randy of the new TA, “When you grab a 640-hp Viper by the tail, the TA makes it
easier to hang on at the track and not get fanged. It’s a clear step forward
toward a better, brawnier supercar”. An analysis of the data (see sidebar)
shows the revised suspension and beefier brakes make the TA better. Not the
tires, as these are the very same Corsas the GTS ran on, as we’ve mentioned.
Sure, there’s that weight difference, but there’s no way 25 pounds equals 2.15
seconds on a 2.2-mile track. What does? A better-handling car.
As for breaking his own record, Randy was
short and to the point. “I was inspired by the passion for performance of the
SRT team, and I worked hard for that time”. He continues, “My nature is to
always push for more. And we got it-by a hair!” Ralph Gilles was half right;
then-there was more left in the Viper. But the problem wasn’t Randy.
As for us folks here, this is a
best-case scenario. We go out of our way to tell it like it is, and we take a
lot of heat from OEMs (and you commenter types) for doing so. Bu when our
criticisms can help push and inspire carmakers to build better cars, we
consider that a job well done.
As
for us folks here, this is a best-case scenario
So, yes, we’re taking some credit for
prodding SRT to build a better Viper. Better is actually an understatement, as
the new SRT Viper TA is quicker around Laguna Seca than any Ferrari, Porsche,
Lamborghini, McLaren, or Corvette. That’s the very definition of world-beater.
We’re naturally quite interested in Corvette’s reaction to Ralph’s thrown
gauntlet. But until that steroidal C7 variant arrives, hats off to SRT. Just
remember, you heard it here first.
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Technical Specs
·
Price: $120,500
·
Vehicle layout: Front-engine, RWD, 2-pass,
2-door hatchback
·
Engine: 8.4L/640-hp/600-lb-ft OHV 20-valve
V-10
·
Transmission: 6-speed manual
·
Curb weight: 3332 lb (50/50%)
·
Wheelbase: 98.8in
·
Length x Width x Height: 175.7 x 76.4 x 49.1
in
·
0-60 MPH: 3.3sec
·
Quarter mile: 11.3 sec @ 129.3 mph
·
Braking, 60-0 MPH: 94 ft
·
Lateral acceleration: 1.10 g (avg)
·
MT figure eight: 22.9 sec @ 0.95 g (avg)
·
EPA City/HWY fuel econ: 12/19 mpg
·
Energy cons, City/HWY: 281/177 kW-hrs/100 mi
·
CO2 emissions: 1.35 lb/mi
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