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The 2006 Dodge Viper SRT-10 Coupe comes with a daring 8.3-liter V10 engine.

When the third-generation Dodge Viper debuted in 2003, it was only available as a convertible. The Dodge Viper SRT-10 debuted in an all-new Coupe form for 2006, much to the delight of 'Viper Nation,' the worldwide community of die-hard Viper owners.

The new hardtop hit showrooms in October 2006, with the SRT-10 replacing the GTS moniker, its aero advantage should be in the single digits, 0.39 Cd versus 0.40. It's about 15Ibs heavier than the soft-top car, and the output numbers for the pushrod aluminum V-10 engine remains unchanged. Even with the powerful new 500-hp Corvette Z06 on the horizon, the kids in Chrysler's Street and Racing Technology (SRT) group thought 500 horsepower and 525 pound-feet of torque were adequate.

So, what's new this time? The sheetmetal from the doors backward was clearly designed and fabricated for the coupe, aside from the roof. The Competition coupe—the turnkey racing version introduced in mid-2003—has some similarities, but the rear end is unique to the street coupe. The goal, according to exterior designer Ralph Gilles, was to instill a sense of humor in the vehicle. The roadster, on the other hand, has always been a little less daring.

The Dodge Viper SRT-10 is all about unrivaled performance and attention-grabbing design. The Dodge Viper SRT-10 Coupe comes with an 8.3-liter 500-horsepower V-10 engine contributing to blistering acceleration (0-60 mph in under 4 seconds, 0-100-0 mph in the low 12-second range), Dodge's signature crosshair grille design, deep-cut side scallops, swept-back fenders, and lowered hood lines that give it a bold appearance.

Related: 2003-2006 Dodge Viper: Costs, Facts, And Figures

The exterior styling of the all-new 2006 Dodge Viper SRT-10 Coupe, with its 'double-bubble' roof and dramatic, unique rear styling with wrap-around tail-lamps reminiscent of the Viper GTS Coupe, distinguishes it from its Convertible sibling. The Dodge Viper SRT-10 Coupe's starting point was the Dodge Viper SRT10 Convertible, which has a sturdy structure to begin with. The Viper SRT-10 Coupe is more torsionally rigid than the Convertible, thanks to the addition of the roof structure.

The only bodywork shared by the Dodge Viper SRT-10 Coupe and Convertible is the front fascia, fenders, hood, and doors. Aside from the new canopy and deck lid, the 2006 Dodge Viper SRT-10 Coupe features a unique windshield surround, door side glass, rear fascia, quarter panels, and taillights. The 2006 Dodge Viper SRT-10 Coupe will be available in Viper Blue with twin Stone White racing stripes, a nod to one of the most popular Vipers of all time, the 1996 Dodge Viper GTS.

"We brought back the double-bubble roofline from the original Dodge Viper GTS for helmet clearance," Creed explained. "In fact, we started the process by measuring the height and shape of the roof with a mannequin wearing a helmet." The roof and headliner structure, which provides room for a safety cage while maintaining maximum headroom, is another useful interior feature for many owners who will take their 2006 Dodge Viper SRT-10 Coupe racing. The interior of the 2006 Dodge Viper SRT-10 Coupe has a unique two-tone color scheme.

Related: 10 Greatest Dodge Vipers That Make Us Yearn For Its Comeback

The Dodge Viper SRT-10 Coupe has a power rating of 500/525/505, which translates to 500 horsepower, 525Ibs-ft of torque, and 505 cubic inches of displacement. The 2006 Viper SRT10 Coupe is powered by an aluminum-block 8.3-liter (505 cu. in.) V-10 engine. Ninety percent of the torque is available to the driver over a broad range of 1,500-5,600 rpm.

Brembo 44/40 dual opposing piston calipers in the front and Brembo 42/38 dual opposing piston calipers in the rear grip four 14-inch rotors to define the braking power of the Dodge Viper SRT-10 Coupe. An anti-lock braking system (ABS) keeps the wheels from locking up when braking hard.

The 2006 Dodge Viper SRT-10 Coupe's handling and ride characteristics are derived from a race-bred, four-wheel independent suspension with lightweight, high-performance aluminum control arms and knuckles, damped by lightweight coil-over shock absorbers. A Dana 44-4 Hydra-Lok speed-sensing limited-slip differential transmits power to the pavement.

The 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe is outfitted with forged aluminum wheels that measure 18 x 10 in the front and 19 x 13 in the rear. Each is outfitted with a Michelin zero pressure run-flat tire, and each tire includes a low-pressure sensor in the valve stem. The all-new 2006 Dodge Viper SRT-10 Coupe will be available in Dodge dealerships in the fall of 2005.

Dodge announced pricing for the all-new, heart-pounding 2006 Dodge Viper SRT-10 Coupe in August 2005. The 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe was available as a hardtop for the first time since the 2002 model, with a base price of $83,145. This Viper coupe features the same standard equipment as the standard Viper, but in a breathtakingly voluptuous coupe body with a steel top.

Sources: CarAndDriver, SuperCars, MotorTrend, AutoBlog

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