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lundi 25 mai 2015

Lamborghini Gallardo ready to tow your Home Depot load

Lamborghini Gallardo ready to tow your Home Depot loadJonathon Ramsey

It's possible the Lamborghini Gallardo would have had an even grander reputation as an everyday exotic if more people had used it to tow trailers and lug home-renovation materials from store to workshop. That's what Canadian channel Canal Vie did to promote its new renovation show, strapping a couple of two-by-fours and a roll of insulation to the roof, and hooking up a trailer to the back of a second-generation Gallardo.

The promotion had its intended effect. How could it not? People stare at a Gallardo even when it isn't hauling. With 398 foot-pounds of torque at its disposal, we wonder if you could slip a fifth-wheel on it...Related Gallery2013 Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4: Paris 2012

vendredi 15 mai 2015

Freightliner wants to know if we're ready for autonomous trucks

Autonomous vehicles are one step closer with debut of Freightliner Inspiration Truck

A few days ago Freightliner, invited us to the Nevada desert to witness the reveal of something historic, something that was billed as a gamechanger in the commercial transportation industry. Along with parent company Daimler, Freightliner had developed two prototypes of the first licensed autonomous commercial trucks to operate on public highways.

Dubbed the Inspiration Truck, the prototypes were first shown to hundreds of members from the media, industry and government in a ceremony attended by the governor of Nevada, Brian Sandoval, where the still-camouflaged truck received the first Nevada license plates created for autonomous vehicles, allowing the trucks to operate on roads within the state in autonomous mode. The full debut of the truck took place later that night at the Hoover Dam, with the completely revealed truck emerging at the top of the hill overlooking the dam, and making its way down a road to the bridge topping the dam as helicopters buzzed overhead and a video projection system played a specially created short film on the gigantic surface of the dam itself. We're pretty sure the whole presentation was visible from orbit.

As the truck made its way to the center of the dam bridge, we wouldn't have been surprised if it had suddenly transformed into Optimus Prime or if Iron Man (or at least RoboCop, the old Peter Weller one, not the new one) emerged from the cab of the truck as spotlights from the mountains around the Hoover Dam lit up the truck from hundreds of yards away.

But who did emerge on the observation deck of the dam was "Top Gear" host Rutledge Wood, who along with Dr. Wolfgang Bernhard, member of the board of management of Daimler AG and Martin Daum, president and CEO of Daimler Trucks North America, introduced the truck to the crowd.

The surface of the Hoover Dam became a giant screen during the Inspiration Truck's reveal Photo by Jay Ramey

"Freightliner Trucks has been setting the standard for commercial vehicle design and technology for nearly 75 years," said Daum. "Whether it was the first all-aluminum cab introduced in 1942 or the current industry-leading Freightliner Cascadia Evolution, we are inspired by meeting the challenges faced by our customers."

The Freightliner Inspiration Truck is effectively a Level 3 autonomous vehicle, allowing the driver to give full control of safety-critical functions under certain traffic and environmental conditions. That means it can stay in a selected lane, stop or slow down when traffic conditions call for it and maintain a preset distance from other vehicles in its lane. The suite of autonomous systems in the Inspiration Truck is called Highway Pilot. A Level 4 vehicle, on the NHTSA scale, would be capable of full self-driving automation and only require the driver to select routes, while a Level 2 vehicle on that scale is one that features two primary control functions that help the driver, such as active lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control. The Inspiration Truck, therefore, may be viewed as a stepping stone between these two levels of autonomy.

Highway Pilot functions much in the same manner as autopilot on a commercial jetliner. Once the vehicle reaches a cruising altitude -- in our case, the interstate -- the driver can hand over controls to the truck and cruise at a preset speed. The truck's autonomous systems rely on radar and cameras to stay in lane and to maintain a safe following distance from the vehicles ahead, with the cameras essentially reading the lane markings to steer the truck. The system notifies the driver when conditions permit autonomous mode to be used, and with a press of a couple buttons on the touchscreen the driver can set the countdown to the handover. Which happens without any drama whatsoever.

One minute we're sitting beside one of the Freightliner engineers and chatting as we're driving just a few miles from Las Vegas city limits, and another minute the truck is driving itself, with the steering wheel moving just a few fractions of an inch every few seconds in either direction on the mostly straight interstate.
 

Freightliner Inspiration truck interior A Freightliner engineer explains the functions of the Inspiration Truck as we roll along in autonomous mode. Photo by Jay Ramey

Even in this advanced experimental form, there are still a few limitations to the Highway Pilot. In autonomous mode, the truck cannot change lanes, cannot read road signage, and cannot read and react to traffic lights. Its ability to detect what we'll call rapidly unfolding situations up ahead and on each side is also fairly limited, meaning that the most the truck can react to is a rapid deceleration of vehicles ahead of it, in which case it alerts the driver via an audible alarm and disengages from autonomous mode. This rules out a dynamic response to an accident that could be in the process of unfolding in another lane, but which at that point in time has not yet entered the truck's path but most certainly will in another second or two. Similarly, a herd of buffalo heading in a direction perpendicular to the truck's line of sight will be similarly ignored. That may sound like a far-fetched scenario, but there is a reason we weren't driving on any state roads with intersections with nothing but stop signs to direct the flow of traffic -- the Highway Pilot system wouldn't be able to interact with objects in that environment even if all the other requirements for autonomous driving mode are met.

In addition, Freightliner has not tested the Highway Pilot autonomous feature during the rain, at night, or in weather and light conditions other than a bright, clear day in relatively light traffic. This means that for now, the capabilities of the prototype are limited, and even though the truck could work in autonomous mode in the dusk or dawn hours, a full-on thunderstorm on a road with poor lane markings just isn't in the cards.
 

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Freightliner Inspiration Truck A large number of elements like regulation still have to fall into place before you'll see Level 3 autonomous trucks on the roads. Photo by Daimler

Barriers other than technological ones also exist when it comes even to the testing of autonomous trucks on U.S. roads. Right now, a grand total of five states (including Nevada) allow auto manufacturers to test vehicles with various autonomous features on state roads. But for trucking companies that actually operate trucks, a large number of states would have to have legislation in place allowing trucks with autonomous features to use their roads for commercial, not just testing, purposes. After all, 18-wheelers typically do not stay inside a single state for more than a day or two, depending on the size of the state, and a jurisdiction that disallows trucks with autonomous driving systems or allows a very limited range of how they could be used would present headaches to the drivers and companies who operate the trucks. As we have all learned in civics class, each state can and does hold radically different views on just about everything, and can often take a contrary position on an issue of its neighbors. Getting state and federal legislation in place when it comes to the commercial use of trucks with autonomous driving features may in fact be more difficult than the technological barriers that still have to be overcome.

Another non-technological barrier that has to be overcome is one of demand, and that's a tricky thing in itself. Aerospace manufacturers typically do not start fielding a particular plane unless a large-enough number of airlines agree to purchase them. It's the same with trucks, even though in this case we're talking about technologies than can be adapted to work on vehicles that already exist -- at the end of the day, we're talking about trucks that just happen to wear a lot of sensors on their body and coordinate them with controls. Truck operators, and not just a dozen small companies that operate within a handful of states, have to be on board with the use of autonomous driving technologies for there to be a business case.

Freightliner Inspiration Truck controls The cab controls of the Inspiration Truck are sparse and futuristic. Photo by Jay Ramey

Finally, there is the issue of truck driver and motorist acceptance. Should we welcome our new autonomous truck overlords? Most of us have no qualms about autopilot systems in airplanes assuming the flight controls for hours on end -- more than 10 hours on the most painful flights to Australasia -- and assuming the responsibility for hundreds of lives. What's wrong with a truck cruising on autopilot all the way out in the middle of nowhere? Public acceptance of autonomous vehicles, from Google cars to larger vehicles, is being gauged just now, as tech companies and automakers are fielding the very first prototypes with varying levels of autonomous features.

Freightliner isn't trying to get the driver out of the picture -- the company does not envision completely autonomous drone trucks anytime soon, or at any visible point in the future. Rather, Freightliner sees autonomous trucks as easing the workload for the driver and allowing him or her to schedule upcoming trips, communicate with customers via videophone, or simply watch cat videos on YouTube. And the company does not refer to its prototypes or their technologies as being "driverless," a term which has crept into our vocabulary over the past several years.

"Freightliner Trucks does more than any other commercial truck manufacturer to integrate the truck, the driver and the business. The Freightliner Inspiration Truck is a case in point because it is not a driverless truck -- the driver is a key part of a collaborative vehicle system," said Richard Howard, senior vice president, sales and marketing, DTNA. "With the Freightliner Inspiration Truck, drivers can optimize their time on the road while also handling other important logistical tasks, from scheduling to routing. The autonomous vehicle technology not only contributes to improved safety and efficiency, but allows for improved communication through connectivity and integration."
 

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Freightliner Inspiration Truck wheelcover Aerodynamic elements might make it on to production trucks before any autonomous features do. Photo by Jay Ramey

When might we see the Inspiration Truck in action? That's one thing Daimler and Freightliner did not attempt to set a timetable for, perhaps as much for not wanting to set a deadline for themselves in front of hundreds of journalists who will hold them to it and even create a countdown clock, as so many things have to fall into place before companies field commercial trucks with Level 3 autonomy features. What is clear is that we're not talking about two years from now or even five years from now. Autopilot systems for trucks similar to that offered by the Inspiration Truck prototypes are still a decade or two away from commercial adoption, many in the industry including Freightliner and Daimler executives have indicated.

lundi 11 mai 2015

2016 Dodge Viper ACR is ready to take a bite out of the Corvette Z06 [w/video]

2016 Dodge Viper ACR is ready to take a bite out of the Corvette Z06 [w/video]Presenting The Fastest Street-Legal Viper Ever BuiltImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: Richard Prince/rprincephoto.comImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: Richard Prince/rprincephoto.comImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: Richard Prince/rprincephoto.comImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: DodgeImage Credit: Dodge2016 Viper2016 Dodge ViperMSRP$84,995ShopMore Photos2015 Dodge Viper GTC One of One: Chicago 2015Hellcat and Viper Road Trip2015 Dodge Viper GTC: Detroit 2015Hottest Cars and Trucks in AmericaMost Popular Cars By StateOur Picks For The Best $5,000 Used CarsBrandon Turkus

The Dodge Viper ACR is back, and as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles tells it, it's the most venomous breed ever born.

Before you get too excited, the 8.4-liter V10 produces 645 horsepower; five more than the standard Viper and five less than the supercharged Chevrolet Corvette Z06. It's unclear why Dodge didn't extract more from the huge engine, although we somehow imagine that certain people in Maranello, Italy had a say in the matter.

Instead of blessing the ACR variant with bunches of extra output, Dodge instead turned to an aggressive aerodynamics package that it claims delivers nearly a ton of downforce at the Viper's maximum speed of 177 miles per hour. The total aero package includes an adjustable, twin-element, carbon-fiber rear wing, carbon-fiber diffuser, an extendable front splitter, and dive planes. Those big louvers on the hood? Yeah, they're removable, too.

The "race-tuned" suspension uses coil-over Bilstein shocks that offer ten different settings and up to three inches of height adjustment. Kumho Ecsta V720 tires were built specifically for the Viper ACR, and come in 355/30 in back and 295/25 in front, with 19-inch wheels at all four corners. Along with the aero improvements, Dodge is claiming the Viper can pull a race-car-like 1.5Gs in higher-speed turns. Carbon-ceramic brakes with six-piston calipers add the stopping power that's greater or equal to the ACR's cornering performance.

Dodge was also keen to reduce weight, taking some rather dramatic measures in the effort. The stereo has just three speakers, while the electric function was removed from the seats. Even the carpet has been replaced with a "lightweight" alternative.

Finally, Dodge is offering up the innovative 1 of 1 customization it pioneered with the Viper GT earlier this year. That means that not only can you get the fastest Viper ever built, but it'll be entirely your own when you take delivery.

Scroll down for the official press release from Dodge.



Show full PR textNew 2016 Dodge Viper ACR – Fastest Street-legal Viper Track Car Ever

The next chapter in the history of Dodge and SRT's ultimate American hand-built, street-legal race car begins with the return of the new 2016 Dodge Viper American Club Racer (ACR)
The new Viper ACR honors its long-standing legacy as the ultimate street-legal race car through significant aerodynamic and suspension upgrades, new Carbon Ceramic brakes with six-piston calipers and high-performance tires specifically designed for ACR
New ACR Extreme Aero Package delivers nearly 1 ton of peak downforce at top speed through massive adjustable dual-element carbon fiber rear wing, rear carbon fiber diffuser, unique SRT hood with removable louvers, detachable extension for the front splitter and additional dive planes
Delivers ultimate in stopping performance with unprecedented brake fade resistance through ACR-exclusive Carbon Ceramic Matrix 15-inch two-piece rotors and six-piston front calipers from Brembo®
Unique race-tuned suspension features 10-setting, double-adjustable, coil-over Bilstein racing shocks and unique race alignment delivering up to 3 inches of suspension height adjustment for fine tuning corner weight
The latest race tire compound technology with massive Kumho® Ecsta V720 high-performance tires (295/25/19 front, 355/30/19 rear), designed specifically for the 2016 Dodge Viper ACR, delivers laps times that are 1.5 seconds faster than off-road only race tires
Combination of suspension, aero treatment and ACR-specific tires delivers sustainable 1.5 g cornering during high-speed turns
Lightweight carpet, minimal three speaker audio, manual seats and Carbon Ceramic Matrix brakes offset added performance elements while maintaining optimal 50/50 weight distribution
Powered by iconic, hand-built 8.4-liter V-10 engine rated at 645 horsepower and 600 lb.-ft. of torque – the most torque of any naturally aspirated sports-car engine in the world
Unique Alcantara hand-crafted interior features iconic 'ACR' dash badge and accent stitching
Offering '1 of 1' customization option for the ultimate personalized Viper ACR
Production of the hand-built 2016 Dodge Viper ACR begins in Detroit in the third quarter of 2015

May 9, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - The next chapter in the history of the ultimate street-legal, track-focused, hand-built American supercar begins with the return of the new 2016 Dodge Viper ACR.

Certified for public roads and engineered to wring every last hundredth of a second out of road course lap times, the 2016 Dodge Viper ACR combines the latest in aerodynamic, braking and tire technology – a recipe designed to carry on the ACR's lap-time busting reputation that has made it a legend on race tracks around the world.

"The Viper has always been more of a street-legal race car than a track-capable streetcar, and the new 2016 Dodge Viper ACR is the fastest street-legal Viper track car ever," said Tim Kuniskis, President and Chief Executive Officer – Dodge Brand and SRT Brand, FCA – North America. "Our goal is to arm our enthusiasts with the ultimate Viper track car to dominate road courses around the world."

The SRT engineering team that developed the 2016 Dodge Viper ACR is well-stocked with members who race their own cars, as well as learning from the factory-based racing Viper GTS-R that competed in the American Le Mans Series and IMSA United SportsCar Championship from 2012-2014, capturing the GTLM class driver and team championships in 2014. For the new Viper ACR, the team focused its efforts on three areas: aerodynamics, chassis and tires to maximize grip, producing never-seen-before handling capabilities and unprecedented lap times.

Ultimate aerodynamic performance
The 2016 Dodge Viper ACR with the available Extreme Aero package produces the highest aerodynamic downforce of any production car. During on-track testing, development engineers have experienced nearly 1 ton of downforce at top speed of 177 mph.

The Extreme Aero Package includes a huge (1,876-mm wide) adjustable dual-element rear wing, rear carbon fiber diffuser, unique SRT hood with removable louvers, detachable extension for the front splitter and four dive planes. The Extreme Aero rear wing, specifically designed for air flow around the Viper's body, stands taller, sits further rearward and features unique end-plates and gurney lip to produce maximum downforce while minimizing straight line drag. The Extreme Aero package delivers more than three times the downforce of the Viper TA (Time Attack) 2.0 package.

The rear carbon fiber diffuser extends forward of the rear axle. It includes six removable strake extensions, designed to rub against the track surface for increased straight-line stability and optimized downforce. Removable hood louvers over the front tires reduce air pressure in front wheel wells to provide additional downforce. The detachable front splitter extension and dive planes work with the rear aero treatment to provide outstanding grip and balanced performance on the track.

Ultimate brake performance
Track duty can punish the brakes. The 2016 Dodge Viper ACR features new Brembo® Carbon Ceramic Matrix brakes for optimum braking performance with unprecedented brake fade resistance, and greater handling capability through reduced un-sprung weight. The system uses 390-millimeter (15.4-inch) two-piece front rotors and 360-millimeter (14.2-inch) two-piece rear rotors. Front brakes use six-piston Brembo® calipers while the rear brakes use four-piston calipers.

The new Carbon Ceramic Matrix brakes have the largest brake pad area ever on Viper. The brakes work in conjunction with ABS and ESC specifically tuned for ACR to take into account the extra grip provided by the additional aero and specifically designed Kumho® tires. Detachable front brake ducts provide additional cooling to the brake calipers for optimum track performance.

Tire, Chassis Combo Keeps Viper ACR Glued to the Road
The 2016 Dodge Viper ACR is fitted with Kumho® Ecsta V720 high-performance tires designed specifically for the car with unique tread pattern and compounds for front and rear. In testing, the new tires produce laps times that are 1.5 seconds faster than off-road only race tires.

Low-profile front tires measure 295/25/19 and are mounted on wider 11-inch wide wheels and when combined with the 355/30/19 rear tires provide the largest combined tire patch available on any production car. On the sidewall of the new tires is a unique raised ACR logo.

The Viper ACR's ABS and five-mode Electronic Stability Control system (Full-on, Sport, Track, Rain, Full-off modes) are specifically tuned for the car to take into account the extra grip offered by the extreme aerodynamic and tire package.

Aluminum bodied, double-adjustable coil-over Bilstein race shocks are designed specifically for the Viper ACR and work in conjunction with ride height adjustment for optimal control of weight transfer and handling performance. Each shock provides independent 10-way rebound and compression adjustability. The suspension package also provides more than 3 inches of ride height adjustment.

Front springs are rated at 600 lbs./in. and rear springs at 1,300 lbs./in., more than double the suspension stiffness of the Viper TA model. With unique race alignment and 1.4 degrees more negative camber than the entry SRT model, the 2016 Dodge Viper ACR is capable of sustaining more than 1.5 g on high-speed turns due to the combined chassis and aerodynamic improvements.

"This car is not a 1-3 lap track special. You can run the car at the track all day, and the performance doesn't fall off," added Kuniskis.

Awe-inspiring V-10 Powertrain
At the heart of the 2016 Viper ACR is the handcrafted, all-aluminum 8.4-liter V-10 overhead-valve engine, rated at 645 horsepower and 600 lb.-ft. of torque – the most torque of any naturally aspirated sports-car engine in the world. Unique exhaust tips have been added to the side-mounted exhaust pipes to provide reduced exhaust pressure. All Vipers are engineered to withstand severe track duty in ambient temperatures of 100 degrees Fahrenheit with a professional driver. Power reaches the pavement through the standard Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual transmission.

ACR-exclusive Interior Appointments
The instrument panel cluster hood, lower instrument panel and door armrest panels of the race-inspired interior are wrapped in unique Alcantara suede. A new, ACR-exclusive Alcantara wrapped high-grip steering wheel with color racing stripe and unique badging sets the ACR apart from other production models. New high-grip seats also carry the Alcantara inserts, while the unique dash plaque is finished in carbon fiber. Customers can choose between silver or Header Red accent stitching throughout the interior.

'1 of 1' Viper Program Offers One-of-a-Kind Street-Legal Race Car
Applying Viper's exclusive '1 of 1' customization program to Viper ACR allows customers to have more than 25 million build combinations to create their one-of-a-kind Snake from the ground up. With 8,000 exterior color options, 24,000 custom stripe colors, 11 wheel options, 16 interior trims and seven aero packages, three brake packages and four suspension options there are more than 25 million ways for buyers to customize their one-of-a-kind Dodge Viper.

Hand-built in Detroit at the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant; the 2016 Dodge Viper ACR goes on sale in third quarter 2015.

ACR History
The original Dodge Viper ACR was produced for the 1999 model year and was based off of the second generation coupe. This model had suspension and engine enhancements focused on maximizing performance in road racing and autocross environments. Horsepower was bumped from 450 to 460 hp via a unique air filter and smooth air intake hoses. Curb weight was reduced by more than 50 pounds by stripping the audio system and removing other non-essential items such as the fog lamps. The new stiffer, adjustable suspension removed another 14 pounds. This model also had an "ACR" badge and 20-spoke BBS wheels.

The second version of the Viper ACR was based off of the fourth generation coupe and was built during the 2008-2010 model years.

The 2008/2009 Viper ACR maintained the standard Viper's 600 hp and 560 lbs.-ft. of torque, while adding aerodynamic, brake and suspension upgrades to the already potent supercar. One development goal was 1,000 pounds of downforce at 150 mph with optimum aero balance – a target achieved through CFD and wind-tunnel testing. Unique coil-over shocks allowed height changes and were step adjustable for compression and rebound.

Spring and anti-roll-bar rates were increased and the ACR was fitted with forged aluminum wheels and track-ready race tires. The new wheels and tires combined with a new two-piece brake rotor system shaved approximately 40 pounds from a base Viper. An additional 40 pound savings (for a total of 80) was possible when ordering the Hard Core Package which removed the audio system, trunk carpet and sound insulation. The 2008 Viper ACR proved its ultimate performance formula by setting a new track record at the famous 12.9-mile Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany with an elapsed time of 7:22.1.

For the 2010 model year, the Viper ACR was upgraded further with a redesigned rear wing gurney and end plates to further optimize aerodynamics and improve rear yaw downforce. In addition, a shorter fifth gear ratio improved high-speed acceleration and produced higher straightaway speeds. This improvement was a direct result of SRT's experience at the Nürburgring Nordschleife where the team found that a revised gear ratio would have resulted in a higher speed capability and potentially a shorter elapsed time. In late September 2011, Dodge returned to the famed circuit and recaptured the production car lap record with a time of 7:12.13.

In late 2009, Dodge announced the non-street legal Viper ACR-X, targeted at the grassroots racer.

Combining the best performance attributes of the record-setting, street-legal Dodge Viper ACR and the safety equipment of championship-winning Viper Competition Coupe, Dodge produced the non-street legal racer that made its on-track debut in the summer of 2010 as part of Dodge Viper Cup spec racing series.

The 2010 Dodge Viper ACR-X was also powered by a 8.4-liter V10, equipped with factory-installed headers, forged pistons and a low-restriction exhaust system that produced 640 horsepower (40 more than production model).

The suspension also was tuned and upgraded specifically for on-track usage, while the weight was lightened by a full 160 pounds (versus the standard production Viper) to take on even the most challenging road course. Additional aerodynamic upgrades improved downforce, while enhancing stability and significantly improving grip in high-speed cornering.

Similar to the Dodge Viper Competition Coupe, the Viper ACR-X contained factory-installed safety equipment such as a factory-designed roll cage, fuel cell and race seat.

About Dodge Brand
The Dodge brand is America's mainstream performance brand. With the purification of the brand and consolidation with SRT, Dodge is getting back to its performance roots with every single model it offers. The Dodge and SRT brands offer a complete lineup of performance vehicles that stand out within their own segments. Dodge is the "mainstream performance" brand and SRT is positioned as the "ultimate performance" halo of the Dodge brand, together creating a complete and balanced performance brand with one vision and one voice.

From muscle cars to compact cars, minivans, crossovers and full-size SUVs, the Dodge brand's full lineup of 2015 models deliver best-in-class horsepower, class-exclusive technology, unmatched capability and a slew of cool features, such as LED headlamps, Dodge signature racetrack tail lamps, dual exhaust, 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment centers and 7-inch thin-film transistor (TFT) customizable gauge clusters, to name a few. For the 2015 model year, customers will be able to drive the new 2015 Dodge Charger and Challenger, as well as the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and Charger SRT Hellcat. The Dodge brand lineup also includes the 2015 Dodge Dart, Durango, Grand Caravan and Journey, including the new Crossroad model, and its flagship, the Dodge Viper.Featured Gallery2016 Dodge Viper ACRdodge viper acr sunset track2016 dodge viper track action acracr track action motion viper dodgeacr action track viper dodgetrack action motion dodge viperdodge viper acr track action 2016vir dodge viper acr action trackstill head on action dodge viper

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