Road and Track Viper GTS VS Mercedes SLS AMG

[Early93Viper]

Great article in the latest Road and Track that pits the Viper GTS VS Mercedes SLS AMG. Viper wins this comparison test on almost every account beating the SLS AMG on the track, in the 1/4 mile, etc. But most impressive is the Viper is chosen over the $230,000 SLS AMG as the overall favorite. I can't seem to find the article online but pick up the May issue of Road and Track for a great read Viper owners will be proud of.

 

[ViperSmith]

Impressive, because the SLS is an insane beast itself.

 

[Next Phase]

I read it as well, but not impressed since the SLS isn't that great of sports car / grand tourer from all the articles I've read. So it's quicker and faster than a heavier / less powerful auto benz? Meh...

 

[ViperSmith]

Well, just reading the latest R&T article from Feb, they still perpetuate the "This monster began life as a truck engine" myth.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-reviews/road-tests/features-13-questions-viper-april2013

 

[Indy]

Both are great cars...wasn't MB first debating to base the SLS on the Viper platform when it was in the first phase of it's design? I think I recall having seen a test mule for the SLS on a Viper platform in some magazine a long time ago. The layout certainly is similar with the long hood and short rear

 

[FrgMstr]

Well, just reading the latest R&T article from Feb, they still perpetuate the "This monster began life as a truck engine" myth.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-reviews/road-tests/features-13-questions-viper-april2013

I noticed that SRT recanted this "myth" very recently, but if you watch the Gen IV plant tour show that was on TV not too long ago, I believe it was Dick W. that EXACTLY said it started as a truck engine. I think there is a some politicking going on to "re-market" that bit of what could now be considered common knowledge. I will have to see if I still have it on the DVR and look up the quote for an exact reference.

 

[ViperSmith]

I noticed that SRT recanted this "myth" very recently, but if you watch the Gen IV plant tour show that was on TV not too long ago, I believe it was Dick W. that EXACTLY said it started as a truck engine. I think there is a some politicking going on to "re-market" that bit of what could now be considered common knowledge. I will have to see if I still have it on the DVR and look up the quote for an exact reference.

I thought there was a recent video with Dick where he refuted it? Ugh, now I have to dig for it.

 

[ACRucrazy]

8. Does the Viper have electric power steering?

No. According to one very senior member of the SRT team, "driving a car with electric steering is like having sex while wearing three condoms." Amen to that.

Amen to that!

 

[Nambo]

I noticed that SRT recanted this "myth" very recently, but if you watch the Gen IV plant tour show that was on TV not too long ago, I believe it was Dick W. that EXACTLY said it started as a truck engine. I think there is a some politicking going on to "re-market" that bit of what could now be considered common knowledge. I will have to see if I still have it on the DVR and look up the quote for an exact reference.

I remember the same thing. I thought Dick said that they "borrowed" a V-10 from truck guys and sent it to Lamborghini to cut weight and work on HP.

 

[ViperSmith]

I noticed that SRT recanted this "myth" very recently, but if you watch the Gen IV plant tour show that was on TV not too long ago, I believe it was Dick W. that EXACTLY said it started as a truck engine. I think there is a some politicking going on to "re-market" that bit of what could now be considered common knowledge. I will have to see if I still have it on the DVR and look up the quote for an exact reference.

I guess it comes down to how it is all interpreted (Really with what R&T said)

here is DW - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGDdBFbikUQ starts at 3:30

DW says that the engine "started" as the truck engine as an idea, but when it came down to doing it - nothing was the same other than basically, the number of cylinders. So, I guess it comes down to interpretation of the "Viper Truck Engine Myth"

 

[anaconda666]

Good thing the Viper beat the Mercedes on the track, otherwise SRT would have to release another special edition!

 

[mnc2886]

This thread needs video...

 

[SnakeBitten]

Good thing the Viper beat the Mercedes on the track, otherwise SRT would have to release another special edition!

l...But honestly I wasnt worried about the results on this one as they did test the SLS against the 2010 ACR a few years ago and of course the ACR mopped the floor with the SLS. So performance wise it was obvious the new Viper would beat the SLS. I am however surprised they chose the GTS overall over the SLS. I havent read the article yet but that possibly says a lot about the GTS package as a grand tourer if it can beat an SLS overall. Its just one review but it won against a car with stellar GT characteristics from what Ive read on some forums. SRT must have toned down the shock valving from the pre-production cars that the mags said was just too stiff etc.

 

[Policy Limits]

the gullwing is great. too bad the doors arent retained in the roadster version (mclaren pulled it off in their spider)

values came down a bit too; can grab a nice one for a buck & a half. GTS wins that comparo though for sure.

 

[BigDawg]

SLS is a ****. It looks like a $100k car. Been in two. Not impressed. New Viper blows this out of the water.

 

[Newport Viper]

Impressive, because the SLS is an insane beast itself.

I agree... I saw it running full out hot lapping a few years ago at THE RING. It sounded awesome at full wail...

Here is my "spy" shot when I was over there

 

[AJ usmc]

see. here's my thing... in my 1998 rango, I have the 5.9l v8 iron-block magnum, which can be bored and stroked to a 408. while the viper has an aluminum block with another cylinder bank, the per cylinder ci's on the gen 1 viper engine is very close to my engine. the per piston ci's of the 8L viper engine has more then my stock block, but less then my blocks potential... However... the 8.4l viper engine matches my blocks potential. making this "myth" very close to reality if it isn't already. and is very plausible, possible, and reasonable. and through association I have been working on and maintaining a tame viper engine. lol.

here is the math:
1L=61.024ci
5.9L=360ci-----360/8=45 per cylinder
8L=488ci-------488/10=49 per cylinder
408 stroker-----408/8=51 per cylinder
8.4L=512ci-----512/10=51 per cylinder