Performance Review: Dodge Viper GTS - [1996]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Dodge Viper Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Dodge Viper GTS is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1996. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1997 TVR Speed 12 7.7L V12 and the 1996 Ferrari F50 GT1 4.7l V12.This particular Dodge Viper has a 7986cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 10 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V10's includes the 2019 Lamborghini Huracan EVO 5.2 V10

The Viper shares its Petrol V10 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Lamborghini Huracan EVO 5.2 V10 and the 2017 Lamborghini Huracan Performante 5.2 V10. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Viper's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1531 kgs (3375 lbs) this makes the Dodge Viper GTS in the same weight category as the 2022 Ferrari 296 GTS 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo Hybrid or the give or take 50kg.

The Dodge Viper shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp)

In terms of power the 7986cc 20V V10 engine produces 450 bhp (335 kW) @ 5200 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V10 throws out 490 lb-ft (664.3 Nm) @ 3700 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (470 lb-ft) or the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 (479 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Dodge Viper you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2022 BMW 4 Series M4 CSL 3.0 Twin Turbo G82 (318.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Dodge Viper.

The Dodge Viper has a Power to weight ratio of 293.9 bhp per ton and 320.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1996 Viper competing with the 2022 BMW 4 Series M4 CSL 3.0 Twin Turbo G82 (318.8 bhp per ton) or the 2000 Porsche 911 GT2 996 (318.7 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Dodge Viper generating around 320.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1992 Caterham Super 7 JPE (345.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 1971 Pontiac Firebird 455 4.7 L V8 (344.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.1 secs, this made the Dodge Viper GTS as fast as the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (4.00 secs) the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (4.00 secs) the 2021 Audi e-tron GT Quattro (4.00 secs) the or the 2020 Lotus Evora GT410 Sport 3.5 V6 Supercharged (4.00 secs). This Dodge Viper GTS is also faster than the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (4.10 secs) the 2022 BMW XM 4.4 V8 Twin Turbo G09 (4.10 secs) the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 (4.10 secs) the and the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged (4.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Viper and the 2004 Mercedes SLK Class 55 AMG

When talking about the performance of the Dodge Viper on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.28 secs @ 111.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2004 Mercedes SLK Class 55 AMG (12.23 secs), the 1997 Porsche 911 Carrera 996 (12.23 secs), and the 1969 Pontiac GTO The Judge 6.5L V8 (12.23 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1996 version of the Dodge Viper GTS has a maximum speed of 190mph.

Top Speed of the 1996 Viper equals the 2020 Lamborghini Huracan EVO 5.2 V10 RWD Spyder (201 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1996 Dodge Viper GTS then how about the 2020 Lamborghini Huracan EVO 5.2 V10 RWD Spyder (201 mph), the 2020 Audi R8 5.2 V10 (201 mph), or the 2019 Audi R8 5.2 V10 RWD (201 mph).

Related Links:

1996 Viper Rivals List.

A Brief History of Dodge

Car Comparison