Dodge Viper SRT10 ROADER 2003 test drive - 2007

Farewell tour

Soon the anniversary of the Chevrolet-Korvett of the very well-known American car of the Gran Tourism class. In 2003, it will turn exactly half a century since the beginning of the production of the first generation corvette. In the 60s, the Anglo-American Eisi-Kobra of the legendary racer and talented designer Carolla Shelby made up real competition. It is significant that Shelby had a hand to the head of the current fifth-largest generation of Korvettov: a magnificent Dodge-Viper was created with his direct participation.
Water and stone, ice and flame
Two American supercars actually have much more differences than similar features. Korvett and Weiper, of course, are the only Yankees who can compete with such bison of the world of sports cars as Porsche-911-Turbo, Ferrari-550, Lamborgini-Dhodablo. However, the coincidences are almost ending on this.
The genealogical Tree Corvetta dates back to the middle of the last century. However, from the first model, developed by Edward Cole and the Arcus-Duntov Zora, now there are not even memories left. Although it is impossible not to admit that starting with the fourth generation (1984-1996), Corvette changes evolutionarily, preserving the best features of appearance and temperament and at the same time becoming more and more perfect and high-tech.
Weiper is much more young, but his biography is contrary to age very rich. For the first time, Viper attacked visitors to the Detroit car dealership in 1989. Aggressive and not like nothing was so stunned by the audience that Chrysler (tone in his technical policy and strategy at that time asked Francois Castan) immediately decided to work on production. In 1992, Detroit showed a serial RT/10 ROMTER, a year later the company was compiled by the GTS compartment.
Since then, over 14 thousand people have become owners around the world. An excellent result for a car, the cost of which is approaching a hundred thousand dollars! The most sports of the Chevrolet family, even in the most expensive configuration, is much cheaper. But over fifty years, over a million cakes have been released.
 
    
Both Weiper and Korvett fruits of one technical philosophy
 

 
Handsome and simpleton
According to external data, Weiper does not leave Korvett a single chance. Chevrolet, of course, is by no means dwell, unusual against the background of other sedans. But as soon as the cars are nearby, Kraisler monopolizes all attention. Weiper, who has practically not changed since the 92nd year, and today looks like the hero of a fantastic film, materialized in metal and plastic.
With close acquaintance, Weiper is more reminiscent of a concept car prepared for sales. There is no dispute: the car is distinguished by high quality assembly, captivates with functionality, but at the same time, individual solutions are quite strange. For example, its huge hood does not have a castle, the same story with a gas tank lid. A salon made in an uncompromising sports style (white dials, round signs in the upper part of the central console), in fact, is very close. The pedal node is noticeably shifted to the left, and this, coupled with a long adhesion pedal, creates certain inconvenience. You have to stretch your leg all the time, even if the seat is moved close to the steering wheel. The lack of space forces to constantly keep the foot either on the clutch pedal itself, or under it. Despite the fact that the pedals have adjustments, I could not choose convenient for the accelerator.
Where is the corvette to the originality of Weiper! The workplace of the driver of the Chevrolet compartment is no different from the average American sedan. Ordinary steering wheel, ordinary tidy, ordinary seats. Here, even the pedal lights are clearly not in their place with drilling. But the car is well adapted for daily trips. Seats and steering column, stuffed with helpful electric assistants, allow you to sit down with comfort and even comfort. There is more spaciousness inside the cabin than you can assume, and the luggage compartment will give Vaiper a couple of points forward.
 
    
According to external data, Vaiper does not leave Korvett a single chance, but from a technical point of view against the background of high-tech guital corvetta, Vaiper looks rather backward
   
Gigantomania as it is
One gets the impression that the creators of Corvetta and Weiper, as well as the creators of the Titanic and Empire Steit Building, are subject to gigantomania. The working volume of the V-shaped eight chevrolet is 5.7, and the ten-cylinder Chrysler is generally eight liters! True, strict European requirements for the content of harmful substances in exhaust gases have slightly measured the ardor of our duelists. After crossing the Atlantic, the number of horsepower under the hoods decreased: Viper had 384 hp left, and Korvett had 344. Accordingly, Chevrolet lost 11, and Kraisler is as much as 71 bombs! But even after that, you can’t call low -power Americans in any way. Moreover, the main feature of the American Grand Prix Tourism has always been considered indicators of torque. 615 N. M. Weipers will make any of the Ferrari and Porsche bashfully silence.
Korvett has a worship of the torque, but still very solid - 470 N.M.
Is it too surprised that Vaiper and Corvette appear among champions in the dynamics of acceleration: both Yankees are gaining a hundred from a place in 4.8 seconds. Here you do not need to make which transmission to add to the maximum acceleration. With the characteristic of American supercars of traction, this is superfluous. Just press from the heart to the accelerator pedal, and all science. And even an automatic gearbox will not be able to spoil the impression. True, we’ll make a reservation right away: so that our comparisons are more accurate, we choose a chevrolet option with a 6-speed mechanical gearbox. After all, weipers are equipped exclusively by mechanics with six gears for moving forward.
But not one accelerated dynamics lives a car. He must also turn, and slow down, and twitch in traffic jams ... Perhaps the Chevrolet engineers managed to make the C5 model more adapted to the hardships of everyday life. Corvette is equipped with an ABS in the brake circuit, a stabilization system of course stability, an electronic accelerator, shock absorbers with variable characteristics, cruise control, a tire pressure sensor and even a system for output of emergency information directly to the windshield. The last innovation, of course, helps to increase safety.
Against the background of such a high -tech corvette, Vaiper looks very backward. There was no ABS in the Chrysler test (it will appear only on the wipers of the 2001 model year)! What kind of electronic throttle are the only assistant driver in the taming of the vipers - a self -locking differential that distributes efforts between two huge Michelin wheels.
Of course, the most powerful Weiper requires his master more attention and professionalism, especially on a slippery road. But on a good coverage, a compartment from Chrysler shows excellent behavior. Weiper tightly holds straight even at speeds close to maximum, and in corners it goes like along the rails.
In terms of braking efficiency, rivals have shown themselves from the best side. But nevertheless, preference here should be given to Corvette - thanks to the perfectly debugged ABS, he inspires the driver more confidence.
There is no doubt that Weiper and Korvett adequately represent the United States in the Gran of Tourism class. However, they remain completely different cars. Weip is beautiful for his indomitable, daring disposition. Bravo, Chrysler! A little harsh in essence, this compartment is intended for lovers of pure pure. Weiper is the personification of rough physical strength, and because it is impossible to better suit the role of a car for the soul. The use of vipers under ordinary conditions is not forbidden, but will not create special amenities.
Corvette is completely different. Model C5 is more refined, perfect and modest. In ordinary modes, it consumes 10 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers of the journey. For those who have enough two places in the cabin, nothing prevents it from traveling on it at least every day.
However, the day is not far off when these cars will become history. After a year or two, Chevrolet promises to demonstrate the sixth generation corvette, and the Wiper heir will debut in 2002. Visitors to the Detroit car dealership of this year have already seen this miracle-yudo alive. Under the hood of the vipers of the third millennium, a modified 8.3-liter engine developing 506 hp. Power and 678 NM of torque. So, we’ll still ride
V10 v8
Both Weiper and Korvett are the fruits of one technical philosophy, the essence of which is to create a car around a powerful V -shaped engine. True, before going to Europe, the American supercars had to settle somewhat.
For a better distribution of mass along the axes, the engines tried to move the maximum as much as possible. In the front suspension, aluminum triangular levers were used to reduce weight. They worked seriously on aerodynamics, installed tires with a high speed index, and brake sports amplifiers.
The 10-cylinder 8-liter Viper engine did not leave the designers an alternative-the bearing element is a tubular steel frame. On the corvette, a more compact 8-cylinder engine with a volume of 5.7 liters created less problems, which allowed to apply welded boxes. Compared to the previous model, the corvetta gearbox is even more shifted back - so that it was cooked with the rear bridge. In the central tunnel of the body, a transmission shaft from composite materials takes place. Such a decision, adopted for the sake of uniform distribution of the masses and widely used on individual models of Ferrari and Porsche, allowed to win a place in the cabin.
As a result, the base increased by 20 cm, which in turn favorably affected the course stability. In addition, the company claims that the stiffness of twisting at the body of the C5 model is almost four times higher than the similar indicators of the predecessor.
While ordinary springs are used in Weiper suspension, the creators of Korvett remained true to their traditions and retained the front and behind transverse springs from light composite materials. Chevrolet, in addition, is equipped with a tire pressure control system, which, in the case of a puncture of the buzz-igl-F1 tire allows you to drive another 160 km at a speed of 90 km/h. You will have time to get to the tire fitting!
The engine and engine heads are made of aluminum. And, as in the good old American technique, two valves account for the cylinder, and the camshaft is located in the center and leads the valves with pushers and rockers. However, this does not prevent Corvette from surprising everyone with a modest fuel consumption.
   
The main thing in the engines and corvette engines is not a design, but power and torque

 
Pierre Dyedonne, photo Xavier de Nombel
 

Source: Magazine "Limousine" [03/01]