What is it? Dodge adds even more venom to its Viper SRT10 sports car with a new track-ready ACR edition. Combining weight-reductions, race-grade component upgrades, and enhanced aerodynamics, the American Club Racer (ACR) rings in at just under $100,000.
The distinct appearance features a front splitter and rear wing; both carbon-fiber aero bits are configured to improve downforce and be adjustable to suit track needs. The fog lamps have been deleted. A “hardcore” interior package deletes a further 40 pounds by jettisoning the audio system, trunk carpet, tire inflator, and underhood silencer for a total potential 80-lbs savings.
The ACR uses the recently enhanced 8.4-liter aluminum V-10 engine that produces 600 horsepower and 560 lb-ft of torque. It is teamed with a six-speed manual transmission.
The suspension uses shocks that can be adjusted for damping and ride height, aiding the street-to-track transition. A stiffer front stabilizer bar is standard. Aluminum wheels reduce the unsprung weight and are shod with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup DOT-approved (street-legal) race tires.
While the ACR is shown with a two-tone paint scheme, it is available in five traditional, sponsor-friendly monochrome treatments. All ACRs feature black wheels.
CR's Take: Here, Dodge has addressed non-existent questions of the Viper’s performance shortcomings and visual subtlety with a head-turning bit of auto show candy that is destined to draw a swooning crowd at car auctions and concours events in the future. However, the question we have been asking, as well as many car owners, is will Chrysler improve the quality and finish on its volume-selling models? Until then, such show cars are just shiny objects drawing attention from where Chrysler’s real engineering attention should be focused.
When will it be available? Spring 2008.
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