2015 Viper SRT Coupe Road Test and Review

by Lyndon Bell

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May 9, 2015

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7 min. Reading Time

Despite its base model’s greater performance potential, the 2015 Viper SRT Coupe is thought of as the “other” American sports car. While there’s no denying the Corvette’s higher profile is what causes people to envision the Sting Ray when you say “American sports car”, the realities of the Viper SRT and Corvette are as dissimilar as night and day.

Yes, both are lightweight two-seat sports cars with hugely powerful engines. But the philosophy behind each is completely different. Corvette is sophisticated in a manner approaching Europe’s finest GT cars, while the 2015 SRT Viper is…

Well, let’s put it this way; if Corvette and Viper were to co-star in a movie, Corvette’s personality would mirror Sandra Bullock’s while Viper’s would reflect Melissa McCarthy’s. Viper is definitely capable of rocking your world, but Corvette has more of a lock on the sheer sex appeal thing.

Big and brassy, Viper epitomizes the stereotypical brash and crass blue-collar American. In fact, even its engine is derived from that of the most American of automobiles—a pickup truck. Nothing looks like it; nothing sounds like it, and nothing else goes like it either.

Models & Prices

For the 2015 model year, the base price of the Viper has been cut by $15,000, and it is being offered in three basic states of trim. These are SRT Coupe, GT Coupe, and GTS Coupe. Within the GT range there is also the GTC Coupe, which is essentially a customization package for the GT.

Standard equipment on the $84,995 2015 Viper SRT Coupe includes 18-inch front wheels, 19-inch rear wheels, summer tires, automatic bi-xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights and taillights, keyless ignition/entry, full power accessories, cruise control, a tilt-only leather-wrapped steering wheel, auto-dimming mirrors, and an automatic climate control system. Electronic features include an 8.4-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, and a nine-speaker sound system with satellite radio, an auxiliary audio input, a USB interface, and an SD card reader.

Stepping up to the $94,995 Viper GT Coupe fits different front and rear styling treatments – including a different hood. Adjustable suspension and stability control systems, as well as Brembo brakes with two-piece slotted rotors are added. The interior treatment gets simulated suede and leather upholstery for the seats, and a power-adjustable one for the driver.

With a starting price of $107,995, Viper GTS Coupe offers a unique alloy wheel design, full leather upholstery with contrasting stitching, a simulated suede headliner and accents for the seats, a power adjustable passenger seat, and an 18-speaker Harman Kardon surround audio system.

Optional packages include the aforementioned GTC package, two Time Attack packages, and the Ceramic Blue package. Among the changes are (depending upon the package) revised suspension tuning, different aero kits, a X-brace for the engine compartment to improve chassis rigidity, and carbon fiber trim pieces.

Design

The exterior design of the Viper goes into 2015 pretty much unchanged after being reworked for 2014. It remains immediately recognizable as a Viper, with cues going all the way back to the original 1989 concept car, (which ultimately became the very first Viper production model introduced in 1992). Since then, there have been three other generations of the Viper, each one more aggressive than its predecessor.

The Viper’s design language is chiefly characterized by a low stance and an extremely rearward cab position, which in turn necessitates a very long hood. Another cue going all the way back to the first car is the gills in the fenders, needed to extract the tremendous amount of heat the Viper’s massive engine produces. Speaking of those gills, the one on the left side of the car houses the release for the front-hinged hood. (You’d go crazy trying to find it if nobody ever told you where it was—trust us.)

If you look closely, you’ll note the roof of the coupe contains a slight indentation, creating a double-bubble design. This enhances interior headroom and allows for the use of helmets as well. The detail-oriented observer will also note the front of the car has a definite serpent-like appearance to it, all the way down to a pair of fangs in the lower front grille.

Other interesting detailing includes the snakeskin pattern in the taillights, the grille covers for the side gill openings, and in the vents in the hood. As has been the case on every Viper model since the car was introduced, the exhaust outlets are on the sides of the car, just forward of the rear wheels.

Features & Controls

Facing the Viper’s steering wheel, you’re confronted with a huge analog tachometer. However, all of the other instrumentation is digital and displayed courtesy of the seven-inch full color instrument panel, which can be customized to a number of different configurations—depending upon the information you value most.

The tachometer is set up to glow red when the engine is nearing redline, so the driver doesn’t have to focus on the needle to know when an upshift is required. The tach can also be set up to recall shift points and peak rpm attained. The SRT performance pages, offered in all SRT models, will recount 0-60, 0-100, eighth- and quarter-mile ETs, braking distances, G-forces, and top speed.

An 8.4-inch monitor dominates the center stack to contain the audio system, navigation system, climate control system, and communications system. It can also be configured to show the SRT data. Chrysler’s Uconnect Access in-vehicle connectivity system is also fitted. Additionally, there are secondary knobs for the radio, climate controls, navigation system, and phone. If your smartphone and carrier are supported, you can dictate your text messages to the car. The car will also read incoming text messages back to you.

Comfort & Cargo

Very few production cars are as performance focused as the Viper. Anyone settling behind the wheel and expecting to experience the comfort of a more conventional automobile will be disappointed. But don’t be put off by that statement, as this version of the Viper is more comfort-oriented than any previous version of the car. The seats are narrow, firm, and use very deep bolstering in their quest to keep you in place—should you decide to exercise the Viper SRT’s full potential.

That said, the interior design of the fifth generation Viper exhibits the most significant attention to style and workmanship ever offered with the model. All of the major interior surfaces are sewn and wrapped. Further, additional padding is applied in comfort areas in an effort to further civilize the car.

Of course, the Viper is still far from being practical as a daily driver, but the time you do spend in the car will be more comfortable than in previous versions of the Chrysler Group’s supercar. Particular attention has been paid to the fit and finish of the interior components, lending the interior an air of quality heretofore overlooked.

Occupants will also find the interior of the current Viper more spacious than any before it. According to SRT spokespeople, this is the most spacious Viper in the history of the model. What’s more, while interior storage space is at a premium, the Viper does boast a reasonably capacious cargo area. You’ll find just over 14 cubic feet of readily accessible storage space behind the seats. Also, the rear hatch, while a bit on the heavy side, does open wide enough to make placing overnight bags back there a reasonable proposition.

Safety & Ratings

The standard suite of safety kit includes ABS, stability control, traction control, driver and front passenger airbags, a rearview camera, Uconnect roadside assistance, collision notification, and emergency services. On the GT and GTS trimmed cars, you’ll also get a multi-mode stability control system.

Other than that, you’re on your own.

That said, we strongly, no, emphatically recommend you liberally exercise common sense in copious quantities. If you have your heart set on a Viper, definitely take advantage of the high performance driver training offered with the car.

Please know, Vipers do not suffer fools; they bite the living crap out of them.

Engines & Fuel Economy

Just as it has been from the very beginning, the key feature of the Viper is its hand-built, 8.4-liter aluminum V10 engine. Mounted so it sits behind the centerline of the front wheels, the V10 delivers 645-horsepower and 600 ft-lbs of torque (this is up a full five horsepower over the 640-horsepower 2014 model).

Details of the massive engine include an ultra-high-flow lightweight composite intake manifold; high-strength forged pistons; sodium-filled exhaust valves; free-flowing catalysts to ease backpressure; and an aluminum flywheel to reduce reciprocating losses. In addition to making the V10 wind more freely, these efforts have also resulted in shaving approximately 25 pounds from previous iterations of Viper’s engine.

Power is transmitted to the rear wheels by way of a Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual transmission with significantly closer gear ratios than previous versions of the Viper. The final drive ratio was also shortened for this iteration from 3.07 to 3.55. To improve drivability, the shifter’s throw is shortened over that of its predecessors as well. The Viper’s 206 mph top speed is attained in sixth gear at the 6,200 rpm redline.

As you might imagine, the Viper SRT Coupe is definitely more about smiles per gallon than miles per gallon. With a zero to 60 of 3.7-seconds, it comes as no surprise to find the EPA says to expect 12 mpg in the city, 21 on the highway, and 15 overall.

Driving Impressions

Before we go any farther, if you haven’t figured it out, this is a car you drive with a healthy sense of respect. Yes, new driver aids have been added to help keep the Viper under control, but this is a car you drive, you don’t let the Viper drive you—because in most cases you will NOT be able to keep up.

The capabilities of this car are so far beyond the skills of the average driver, we highly recommend you avail yourself of the one-day SRT track experience, which is included in the purchase price. This is an incredibly powerful car, with extremely high limits. Thing is, when you overstep those limits, the car gives you very little warning, and if you’re all the way out on the ragged edge of its potential and lose it, the result will very closely resemble the aftermath of a thermonuclear incident.

The good news is the car warns you what it’s about from the moment you try to set it into motion. Its controls are very heavy at low speeds. The clutch pedal is stiff, the brake pedal is hard, and you feel every bump in the road because the suspension system is so taut. The shift lever even resists shifting when the car is moving slowly.

Of course, those of us who have a deep and abiding appreciation for fast cars know this means the Viper will let you perform some absolutely incredible maneuvers when at speed. Once it is running free, all of those detriments drop away and you very quickly come to understand the Viper is calibrated for fast running—not trundling around town at parade speeds.

The 2015 SRT Viper is a car you’ll quickly tire of driving slowly, but slowly tire of driving quickly. Once it’s warmed up, loose, and at velocity; the Viper’s steering feel is incredible, its braking response is instantaneous, and the throttle response is sublime. What’s more, the Viper exhibits incredible grip in the corners. Give it what it wants, you'll find one of the most satisfying driving partners you've ever had.