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Dodge, or rather SRT (we’re still getting used to it being its own brand), has been busy teasing us with the new Viper that will be unveiled at the New York Auto Show in April, but that doesn’t mean it’s completely done flaunting the performance capabilities of the old model. Only a few short months ago, SRT released a video of the Viper ACR reclaiming the lap record at the Nürburgring for a production car with a time of 7:12.13, taking the title away from the Lexus LFA Nürburgring Edition.

Now the Viper Club of America has released a new video of the race-only Viper ACR-X tackling the Green Hell, and the result is even more impressive. The V10-powered spec racer lapped the circuit in just 7:03.058, more than nine seconds quicker than its roadgoing brother. It makes us wonder when we’ll start seeing six-minute lap times at the Nürburgring.

You can see a video of the impressive lap after the jump, including real-time stats like g-force and downforce included in the footage.

Continue reading SRT’s race-only Viper ACR-X laps Nürburgring in 7:03.058

SRT’s race-only Viper ACR-X laps Nürburgring in 7:03.058

As you may already be aware, there is no official production car record at the Nürburgring. That hasn’t stopped well-meaning automakers from warming up the great German marketing machine in an attempt to outdo previous marks set by their competitors, and that includes the fine folks at Dodge.

Way back in 2008, Dodge shipped one of its Viper ACR coupes to the ‘Ring with the goal of setting a blistering time. Suffice it to say, the outing was a complete success. For quite some time, Dodge claimed with a time of 7:22.1 that it held the fastest lap time of any production car around the famous circuit.

Since then, a number of manufacturers and machines have bested that still-stellar time, notably the 2012 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 (7:19.63) and more recently the Lexus LFA Nürburgring Edition (7:14). Now, according to a new forum post by Viper Club of America president Marv Spatz, Dodge Viper owners can cheer the return of the crown, because a Viper ACR has reportedly just reclaimed the title with an unofficial time of “7:12 and change.”

Keen enthusiasts will note that the Dodge Viper is no longer in production, so SRT sourced a pair of brand-new 2010 models from Tomball Dodge of Texas before having them prepped for action by Mintgen Motorsports, a shop just down the road from the Nordschleife.

No word yet on who was behind the wheel or how many shots at the record they took, but we have a feeling that once the results are certified, all that information will be released in a hail of press releases, in-car videos and so on. For now, check out our exclusive gallery of the two Vipers making their attempts.

UPDATE: Added exclusive gallery of images showing both Dodge Viper ACRs making their record attempts.

Dodge Viper lays claim to Nürburgring record with 7:12 run [UPDATE]

As you may already be aware, there is no official production car record at the Nürburgring. That hasn’t stopped well-meaning automakers from warming up the great German marketing machine in an attempt to outdo the previous marks set by their competitors, though, and that includes the fine folks at Dodge.

Way back in 2008, Dodge shipped one of its Viper ACR coupes to the ‘Ring with the goal of setting a blistering time. Suffice it to say, the outing was a complete success. For quite some time, Dodge claimed that, with a time of 7:22.1, it held the fastest lap time of any production car around the famous circuit.

Since then, a number of manufacturers and machines have bested that still-stellar time, notably the 2012 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 (7:19.63) and Lexus LFA Nürburgring Edition (7:14). Now, according to a new forum post by Viper Club of America president Marv Spatz, Dodge Viper owners can cheer the return of the crown, because a Viper ACR has just reclaimed the title with an unofficial time of “7:12 and change.”

Keen enthusiasts will note that the Dodge Viper is no longer in production, so SRT sourced a pair of brand-new 2010 models from Tomball Dodge of Texas before having them prepped for action by Mintgen Motorsports, a shop just down the road from the Nordschleife.

No word yet on who was behind the wheel or how many shots at the record they took, but we have a feeling that once the results are certified, all that information will be released in a hail of press releases, in-car videos and so on.

Dodge Viper lays claim to Nürburgring record with 7:12 run

The Viper Club of America recently hosted its 11th annual Viper Owner’s Invitational, where snake-bitten enthusiasts descended upon Salt Lake City, Utah en masse. More than 800 Viper fans and nearly 350 cars made the trek. Those in attendance did get to feast eyes on a special treat, though – the unveiling of the next-generation Viper logo.

Cameras and cell phones were supposed to be on lock down, but the folks at DragTimes.com managed to snag some shots. Apparently, there was also a cloaked vehicle on stage which organizers claimed was the actual car the logo would stick to. However, it turned out to be nothing more than a Ferrari under the sheet, further building upon the rumors that the next Viper be a super snake in an Italian suit Talk about an expensive decoy.

The production of the current Viper has ended and it’s been reported that a new car will be ready for launch as a 2012 model. The world is a more interesting place with new Dodge Vipers in it, and we can’t wait to see what the next one looks like… and sounds like… and drives like.

Follow the jump to read Chrysler’s press release about this year’s Viper Owners Invitational.

[Source: Chrysler, DragTimes.com]

Continue reading New Viper logo shown at annual owners invitational

New Viper logo shown at annual owners invitational

Typically, when a product line is discontinued, owners of the deceased model can still acquire spare parts for their vehicles from the manufacturer. But in this case, Dodge Viper owners will apparently have an alternative venue for replacement parts.

A deal has reportedly been struck between Chrysler and the Viper Club of America to transfer a quantity of excess and blemished parts, as well as some collectibles, to the non-profit association that serves some 25,000 owners. The inventory includes everything from body panels painted in discontinued colors to scratched wheels the factory couldn’t sell. Also included are the tooling to reproduce certain parts in the future and memorabilia like the body panels from the Viper Competition Coupe that raced a U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter jet.

Some parts will be kept in museums, but the spare parts will be sold through a new company founded by the club called Viper Parts of America, Inc., the proceeds from which will go towards supporting club activities.

Continue reading Viper Club of America acquires spare parts from Chrysler

Viper Club of America acquires spare parts from Chrysler

Typically, when a product line is discontinued, owners of the deceased model can still acquire spare parts for their vehicles from the manufacturer. But in this case, Dodge Viper owners will apparently have an alternative venue for replacement parts.

A deal has reportedly been struck between Chrysler and the Viper Club of America to transfer a quantity of excess and blemished parts, as well as some collectibles, to the non-profit association that serves some 25,000 owners. The inventory includes everything from body panels painted in discontinued colors to scratched wheels the factory couldn’t sell. Also included are the tooling to reproduce certain parts in the future and memorabilia like the body panels from the Viper Competition Coupe that raced a U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter jet.

Some parts will be kept in museums, but the spare parts will be sold through a new company founded by the club called Viper Parts of America, Inc., the proceeds from which will go towards supporting club activities.

[Sources: Car and Driver, The Detroit Bureau]

Report: Viper Club of America acquires spare parts from Chrysler