Mercedes SLS AMG Black Series Smokes SRT Viper in MT Test, But Also Costs 3X As Much…

The latest comparison test put together by Motor Trend, between the Mercedes-BenzSLS AMG Black Series (priced from $275,000) and the much cheaper at $102,000 SRT Viper, perfectly illustrates that smooth is much faster around a racetrack.

You see, while the American sports car may be lighter and more powerful, it can’t match the German car’s planted chassis feel, smoothness and virtually-instant gear changes. This makes sense on the road, because you can drive quickly, consistently and safely in the SLS, whereas the Viper just looks a lot more tail-happy and violent.

Read more »

SRT Presents the Viper GT3-R Customer Race Car, Could Be Yours for $459,000

This weekend’s 24 Hours of Le Mans is a special one for U.S. fans, as it marks the Viper’s return to the world’s most famous endurance race. In 1998, 1999 and 2000, the Viper GTS-R won its class at Le Mans, so the bar is set at the highest possible point for the its return to the French classic. Read more »

SRT Launches First Promo Video for New Viper, Aims for Emotion

Buying an SRT Viper definitely makes sense, for any number of reasons. The fact of the matter is that latest one is the brand’s highest technical achievement, using the latest of technologies to make it a viable alternative to the mainstream performance brands.

It looks good, it’s reportedly more comfortable than before (though all of the video reviewers got bounced around during their shoots, so we have our reserves about that) and the V10 engine pushes out 640hp, which is impressive and makes for blistering performance.

Read more »

One-Off 2013 SRT Viper GTS Reportedly Built for Marchionne Goes to Auction

SRT has built a one-off 2013 Viper GTS that will be sold at an auction benefiting the Sons of Italy Foundation. Unveiled at a gala organized by the foundation that represents men and women of Italian descent, the car features a special pearl white paint, black vapor chrome wheels and custom interior enhancements that “pay tribute to Italian heritage”, according to SRT’s description of the video posted on YouTube. Read more »

Hear the Hemi in New POV Test Drive of Chrysler's 300 SRT8

The Chrysler 300 SRT8 is a cut-price alternative to the German super saloons. It gets unique styling, a beefy V8 engine, stiffer than normal suspension and big brakes. The result, according to most reviews I’ve seen, is not quite up there with the best of the breed, but it is still comfortable and with its 6.4-liter 470 hp Hemi V8, it’s fast enough and sounds great. Read more »

SRT Shows Us What Goes on In Their "Color Kitchen"

The latest offerings from Chrysler's SRT division always seem to "pop" out color-wise, especially when the cars are all polished up on the motor show floor. This is not by accident, as each car in the range gets its own bespoke colors, which is chosen with a number of factors in mind. First off, there is the car’s history, then there’s its general shape, and finally it’s what SRT wants to show with a particular model. Read more »

SRT Debuts New 2014 Viper TA in New York – Releases Track Video

Aiming to satisfy track enthusiasts with deep pockets, the Chrysler Group and its SRT arm formally presented the new limited edition 2014 Viper TA (for Time Attack) in Manhattan today.

Only 33 examples of the TA will be built and sold from the third quarter this year, all finished in the special “TA Orange” exterior paint color developed exclusively for this model that is based on the entry-level Viper adding a bevy of performance goods to better its handling.

Read more »

Dodge Slaps Some Stripes and 20-inch Wheels on Charger SRT8 and Calls it the 392

If anything else, the Chrysler Group sure knows how to create some buzz around its cars without really spending much time or effort. Yes, we're talking about the group's limited edition models like the new Dodge Charger SRT8 392, of which 392 units will be built during the 2013 and 2014 model years. Read more »

SRT Bites Back with New 2014 SRT Viper TA, Beats ZR1's Lap Time in MT Test [w/Video]

Just when we thought that, Chrysler was done for the time being with its flagship SRT Viper sports car, the Pentastar surprised us today with the release of a new special edition model named the TA, for "Time Attack", of which only 33 units will be built, solely in a Crusher Orange shade, beginning in third quarter of 2013.

We don't know if SRT's New York Auto Show-bound 2014 Viper TA model was created in response to the Viper GTS' fallout during a comparison test with the soon-to-be replaced Corvette ZR1 by Motor Trend magazine, but SRT boss Ralph Gilles was more than unhappy with the results.

Read more »

Chrysler CEO to Auction Off his Customized Challenger SRT8 for Charity

Sergio Marchionne will soon say goodbye to his beloved 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 as it will go up for auction, alongside Mopar’s latest 426 HEMI V8 crate engine. Both items will go under the hammer at the April 4-6 Barrett-Jackson auction in Palm Beach, Florida. Read more »

Poll: 2014 Chevrolet SS vs. Dodge Charger vs. Chrysler 300

For sure, there are plenty of sporty flavored, rear-wheel drive sedans in the market, but the first two cars that come to mind as direct competitors to the new 2014 Chevrolet SS are without question, the 2013 Dodge Charger and the 2013 Chrysler 300.

General Motors won't be releasing prices for its bow-tie-badged Holden Commodore SS V until later this year, though, we anticipate to the SS to carry a similar price tag to its Chrysler Group challengers in the non-luxury, rear-wheel drive performance sedan category.

Read more »

SRT Boss Confirms New Viper Roadster, Says Interior on Par with Porsches and Astons

Every single previous generation of the Viper was first shown as a roadster, with the coupe models entering the lineup at a later stage. With the new 2013 Viper that dropped the Dodge nameplate and adopted the SRT badge, Chrysler turned the tables around by launching the fixed-top coupe.

Does that mean we will not see a roadster of the new generation model? When Wards Auto popped that question to SRT boss Ralph Gilles at the Chicago Auto Show, he confirmed the development of a brand-new Viper Roadster.

Read more »

Viper’s Nest: 2013 GTS Snake Goes Against Heavily-Tuned 1997 Predecessor

Mad, bad and dangerous to know and drive: it’s a description that fits the Dodge Viper to a tee. Until the 2013 brand-new SRT model, that is, which has gained all kinds of bells and whistles and is supposedly a more user-friendly kind of supercar.

The latter term is relative, of course, as all who have driven the 2013 SRT Viper agree that it is more civilized than its wild predecessors but still remains an animal when you push it to the limit.

Read more »

New Core Editions for Challenger and 300 SRT8s, and the Return of the Charger SRT8 Super Bee

Just when you think that the Chrysler Group has run out of ideas for special edition trims, the Detroit carmaker comes out with a new set of models.

Making their debut at this week's Chicago Auto Show, are the "back-to-basics" Dodge Challenger SRT8 and Chrysler 300 SRT8 Core Editions, and the Dodge Charger SRT8 Super Bee that returns for the 2013 model year.

Read more »

SRT Announces Return to Le Mans 24-Hour Race with New Viper GTS-R [w/Video]

Even SRT boss Ralph Gilles has admitted that the previous Vipers had an “axe-murderer” kind of demeanor but, despite that, the “snake” has had been quite successful in racing, competing against the best production-based rivals in the world and beating them not only in America but across the globe, too.

One of its greatest triumphs has been finishing in the first two places in its class for three years in a row, from 1998 to 2000, in the most prestigious endurance race in the world: the 24 Hours or Le Mans.

Read more »

Project Growler: Tuner Drops a 6.1-liter Hemi SRT8 into a Plymouth Prowler

In some ways, the 1990s and 2000s will be remembered as the decades that brought retro styling to the automotive world. Among the first brands to exploit the interest in cars with old-fashion shapes but modern hardware was Plymouth with its Prowler.

The aggressive looking hotrod with open wheels and an open cabin began its life in 1997 as a Plymouth and ended its career in 2002 as a Chrysler model, after the latter pulled the plug on the Plymouth brand in 2001.

Read more »

Fiat-Chrysler's Revised Product Plan Drops Chrysler and Dodge Models, Adds Alfas and Fiats

Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne revealed on Wednesday, January 30, a revised version of the company's product plan for its seven of its mainstream brands in North America, including Chrysler, Jeep, RAM, Dodge, SRT, Fiat and Alfa Romeo.

Under the new schedule, the four small cars previously planned for Chrysler and Dodge, two for each brand, which would have been assembled by Fiat and be launched this year, are now dead.

Read more »

SRT Boss Does 5,000 Miles in a Viper GTS to Get to Jay Leno’s Garage

Jay Leno loves two things: jean shirts and cars. Being an American, he has a soft spot for homemade models, especially those with a powerful engine under their hood.

One of them is the Viper. Leno already owns two of Chrysler's flagship sports cars, having brought the original way back in 1992 and then, since he wanted a coupe, a GTS as well.

Read more »

Poll: Which is the Sexiest American Sports Car, the New Corvette Stingray or the SRT Viper?

It’s like the Super Bowl for Detroit-made sports cars: the brand-new Corvette Stingray, which just made its world premiere in Detroit this week, versus Chrysler’s third-generation SRT Viper.

Granted, in their current forms, the two cars are separated by tens of thousands of dollars and nearly 200hp, with the base Vette’s 450hp 6.2L V8 looking puny compared to the Viper’s massive 8.4L V10 with 640-ponies. Conducting a fair twin-test won’t be possible until Chevrolet rolls out the next Corvette Stingray ZR1.

Read more »

Jeep's 2014 Grand Cherokee SRT Gains Refreshed Styling, New 8-Speed Auto [Live Pictures]

Joining the regular models of the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee lineup at the Detroit auto show is the revised version of the range-topping SRT that drops the '8' from its name, while gaining important upgrades including a cosmetic makeover, a new 8-speed auto, and significantly improved towing capacity.

On the outside, the new 2014 Grand Cherokee SRT is treated to the same visual enhancements as the regular Grand Cherokee such as the new Chrysler 300-style headlamps, redesigned LED taillights and a re-sculptured tailgate, and then some more.

Read more »