2003 Dodge Viper Competition Coupe

General Information:

Base Price: $100,000
Number Built: 25 per year
Body Construction: Carbon, Kevlar, glass body panels; Lexan rear window
Chassis Construction: Backbone tubular steel space frame, with separate cowl structure and FIA-legal safety cage incorporating engine bracing
Layout: Front-Engine/RWD, single-seat Grand Touring competition coupe
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual

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Capacities:
Fuel Tank: 26.4 gallons
Cooling System: --.- qt
Transmission: -.- qt
Differential: -- ounces

Drive train:
Transmission: Tremec T-56 Synchronized 6-Speed Manual
1st Gear Ratio: 2.66:1
2nd Gear Ratio: 1.78:1
3rd Gear Ratio: 1.30:1
4th Gear Ratio: 1.00:1
5th Gear Ratio: 0.74:1
6th Gear Ratio: 0.50:1
Reverse Gear Ratio: 2.90:1
Clutch: Hydraulic, single dry disk, 12.2 inch diameter
Differential: Limited Slip

Suspension:
Front: Cast-aluminum independent, unequal-length upper and lower "A"arms with spherical bearing frame attachments, 2.25" race springs, Moton mono-tube two-way adjustable coil-over dampers, high rate anti-roll bar, six-lug production hubs
Rear: Cast aluminum independent, unequal-length upper and lower "A" arms with spherical bearing frame attachments, Moton mono-tube two-way adjustable coil-over damper, high rate anti-roll bar, six-lug production hubs

Wheels/Tires:
Front Wheel Size: 11 inch x 18 inch
Rear Wheel Size: 13 inch x 18 inch
Wheel Type: Three piece BBS, forged aluminum centers
Tire Type: Hoosier Racing Slicks
Front Tire Size: P305/645ZR18 Racing Radial Tire
Rear Tire Size: P345/690ZR18 Racing Radial Tire

Braking System:
Type: Four-wheel vented cast-iron disc, Brembo four-piston/two-pad with advanced ABS
Front Discs: 14.0 x 1.26 inches, vented
Rear Discs: 14.0 x 1.26 inches, vented
Front Calipers: Four-piston/two-pad fixed caliper
Rear Calipers: Four-piston/two-pad fixed caliper
Total Swept Area: ---

More Information:

Auburn Hills, Mich., March 7, 2003 -

In August 1995, Dodge unveiled an extraordinary racing coupe that would ultimately make an historic mark on the world's motor sports stage.

The Dodge Viper GTS-R was the answer to enthusiasts and competitors who asked if a racing version of the amazing Viper RT/10 was in the works.

In a repeat of history, Dodge has delivered the next chapter in the Dodge Viper racing legacy … the new Viper Competition Coupe.

"We knew when we introduced the Dodge Viper GTS-R race car that it was ambitious, yet extremely logical," said John Fernandez, Director, Dodge Motor sports Operations. "We set out to develop a history and tradition for the ultimate American sports car - and the Dodge performance icon - that would cast a halo over every racing endeavor, and every car and truck we built.

"The Dodge Viper has exceeded our highest goals for what an American sports car should be. And now, as loyal Dodge owners receive their versions of the third chapter in the car's history - the 2003 Dodge Viper SRT-10 - we can't lose sight of the heritage that Viper has built. And with that, we've developed a new generation of the Dodge Viper racing car - the Viper Competition Coupe."

With a coupe-shaped carbon/Kevlar body based largely on the Dodge Viper GTS/R concept car shown at the 2000 North American International Auto Show, and a track-ready chassis based on the new 2003 Dodge Viper SRT-10 convertible, the Viper Competition Coupe should emerge as a serious competitor from the first lap.

Every effort has been made to produce an affordable yet competitive GT-class race car, and Dodge executives expect high demand from its competition-oriented Dodge Viper owner base.

"The idea for a next-generation racing version came from the Viper owner body," Fernandez said. "A large proportion of owners enjoy racing their cars in organized competition. At the same time, Daimler Chrysler received inquiries from major motor sports sanctioning bodies looking for Dodge Viper participation. With that input, we knew there was a real demand for a factory race car. And based on our customers' reactions, we were right on."

Dodge expects to build about 60 cars in the first year, but have the ability to expand production as demand grows. Plans include technical support for competitors at all major events.

The Viper Competition Coupe makes extensive use of production pieces to keep the estimated retail price slightly more than $100,000. With 520 horsepower and 540 lb.-ft. of torque on tap, the Viper Competition Coupe will deliver racers an extremely high level of performance for the price.

A full complement of racing enhancements, including cage, window net, fire-suppression system, six-point restraints, racing slicks, differential cooler and ducted brakes ensure that the Dodge Viper Competition Coupe is track-ready as delivered. The Viper Competition Coupe cannot be titled for highway use.

The Viper Competition Coupe's sleek concept car shape retains the 2003 Viper SRT-10 convertible's windshield, and as a result, affords the driver two inches of additional headroom as compared to the GTS/R concept car.

Among those events in which the Dodge Viper Competition Coupe is eligible to compete are:

Skip Thomas Viper Racing League - The Viper Competition Coupe will have its own class and be the primary wheel-to-wheel event at the Viper Days weekends

Grand American Cup- The Viper Competition Coupe will be eligible to compete (when homologated) in the Grand Sports Class with the Chevrolet Corvette and Porsche 911

Speedvision World Challenge - The Viper Competition Coupe will be eligible to compete (when homologated) in these American Le Mans Series support races

The Competition Coupe's predecessor - called the Dodge Viper GTS-R and based on the 1996 Dodge Viper GTS Coupe - passes on one of the most distinguished pedigrees in the modern history of endurance racing. The Viper GTS-R earned five international GT championships including the 1999 and 2000 American Le Mans Series GTS class titles and the 1997-1999 FIA GT Championships. The Viper finished 1-2 in the GTS class in three consecutive years -1998-2000 - and notched an amazing overall win at the 2000 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, the first for an American production-based car.

The Dodge Viper race car began life in the GT1 class in 1996. The escalating costs persuaded the manufacturer to switch to the GT2 class for the 1997 season. The Viper's production volumes (approximately 2,000 annually) qualified it for the category and it embarked on a racing program that was to earn it a reputation as the most successful American production-based racing car of all time.

As Dodge began to focus more of its engineering resources on development of the next Viper - the 2003 Viper SRT-10 - it was announced in December 2000 that Dodge would take a hiatus from its factory support for Viper endurance racing.

There are no plans at this time to homological the Dodge Viper Competition Coupe for American Le Mans Series or 24 Hours of Le Mans racing.

Dimensions:

Curb Weight: 2995 lbs
Weight Distribution: 50/50
Length: 184.1 inches
Height: 46.3 inches
Width: 77.9 inches
Wheelbase: 99.0 inches
Front/Rear Track: F: 57.8 inches
R: 60.9 inches

Engine:

Type: V10, 90-degree, liquid-cooled
Construction: 356-T6 aluminum alloy block with cast-iron cylinder liners, aluminum alloy cylinder heads
Displacement: 8300 cc
Bore: 4.03 inches
Stroke: 3.96 inches
Valve train: OHV, 2 Valves/Cylinder
Horsepower: 520 bhp @ 5600 rpm
Torque: 540 lb-ft @ 4600 rpm
Rev Limit: 6100 rpm

Performance:

0-60 mph: 3.7 sec
0-100 mph: 7.8 sec
1/4 mile: 11.7 sec @ 123 mph
Top Speed: 192 mph
Lateral Acceleration: 1.25g
Braking 60-0 mph: 90 ft
Braking 100-0 mph: 260 ft
Slalom Speed: 78.3 mph
Gas Mileage Racing: 5.0 mpg

Topics:

Racing Viper

2003 Dodge Viper Competition Coupe

You may also be interested in . . .

2003 Dodge Viper SRT-10 Carbon Concept

2003 Dodge Viper SRT-10

2004 Dodge Viper SRT-10

2002 Dodge Viper GTS Final Edition

2001 Dodge Viper RT-10 Concept

2000 Dodge Viper GTS/R

1999 Dodge Viper GTS/R

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