Which Dodge Viper Version Should You Buy?
The Dodge Viper catalogue covers five generations produced from 1992 through 2017, with Roadster and Coupe body styles. Every listed version uses a naturally aspirated, front-longitudinal Gasoline V-shaped 10-cylinder engine, a 6-speed Manual gearbox and RWD. The buying decision therefore rests mainly on output, performance, weight, fuel consumption and body style.
The Dodge Viper catalogue covers five generations produced from 1992 through 2017, with Roadster and Coupe body styles. Every listed version uses a naturally aspirated, front-longitudinal Gasoline V-shaped 10-cylinder engine, a 6-speed Manual gearbox and RWD. The buying decision therefore rests mainly on output, performance, weight, fuel consumption and body style. The fifth-generation 8.4 MT is the strongest listed version at 640 hp and 814 Nm, while the fourth generation contains the quickest quoted result: 0–100 km/h in 3 seconds. Earlier cars trade outright performance for lower outputs and, in some cases, lower measured fuel consumption.
Dodge Viper generations: what changed?
The first-generation Dodge Viper was offered from 1992 to 1995 as a Roadster with one 8.0 MT version. Its 7,990 cm³ engine produces 406 hp and 626 Nm. With a kerb weight of 1,542 kg, it carries 3.80 kg per horsepower. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes 4.7 seconds, and top speed is 266 km/h.
The second generation ran from 1995 to 2002 as a Coupe and contains three 8.0 MT entries. Outputs are 420 hp or 456 hp, while torque is 661 Nm or 664 Nm. Relative to the first-generation 406 hp car, the 420 hp version adds 14 hp, and either 456 hp version adds 50 hp. The best quoted 0–100 km/h time is 4.3 seconds, while the highest top speed is 290 km/h.
The third generation ran from 2002 to 2007 as a Roadster with two 8.3 MT versions. Both use an 8,285 cm³ engine: one develops 507 hp and 712 Nm, while the other produces 517 hp and 725 Nm. Their quoted 0–100 km/h times are 4.2 and 4 seconds, respectively, with top speeds of 304 and 310 km/h.
The fourth generation ran from 2007 to 2010 as a Roadster and has four 8.4 MT catalogue entries. One produces 600 hp and 760 Nm, while three produce 608 hp and 760 Nm. The listed performance figures vary even where the name and output coincide: the 608 hp cars quote 0–100 km/h in 3, 3 or 3.8 seconds and top speeds of 325, 306 or 325 km/h. Buyers should therefore identify these entries by power and performance data rather than by the shared 8.4 MT name alone.
The fifth generation ran from 2012 to 2017 as a Coupe with one 8.4 MT version. Its 8,390 cm³ engine delivers 640 hp and 814 Nm, making it the most powerful and highest-torque version in this dataset. It reaches 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds and has a quoted top speed of 325 km/h.
Dodge Viper engine specs and horsepower by version
Because several entries share the same version name, the generation and horsepower are essential identifiers.
| Generation and version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation 8.0 MT | 406 hp | 626 Nm | 7,990 cm³ | 92 | 10, V-shaped | No | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| Second generation 8.0 MT (456 hp, 664 Nm) | 456 hp | 664 Nm | 7,990 cm³ | 92 | 10, V-shaped | No | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| Second generation 8.0 MT (420 hp) | 420 hp | 661 Nm | 7,990 cm³ | 95 | 10, V-shaped | No | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| Second generation 8.0 MT (456 hp, 661 Nm) | 456 hp | 661 Nm | 7,990 cm³ | 95 | 10, V-shaped | No | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| Third generation 8.3 MT (507 hp) | 507 hp | 712 Nm | 8,285 cm³ | 98 | 10, V-shaped | No | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| Third generation 8.3 MT (517 hp) | 517 hp | 725 Nm | 8,285 cm³ | 98 | 10, V-shaped | No | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| Fourth generation 8.4 MT (600 hp) | 600 hp | 760 Nm | 8,382 cm³ | 98 | 10, V-shaped | No | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| Fourth generation 8.4 MT (608 hp, 325 km/h) | 608 hp | 760 Nm | 8,382 cm³ | 98 | 10, V-shaped | No | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| Fourth generation 8.4 MT (608 hp, 306 km/h) | 608 hp | 760 Nm | 8,382 cm³ | 98 | 10, V-shaped | No | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| Fourth generation 8.4 MT (608 hp, 3.8 seconds) | 608 hp | 760 Nm | 8,382 cm³ | 98 | 10, V-shaped | No | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| Fifth generation 8.4 MT | 640 hp | 814 Nm | 8,390 cm³ | 92 | 10, V-shaped | No | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
Specific output rises substantially across the range. The first-generation 8.0 MT produces about 50.8 hp per litre. The 456 hp second-generation 8.0 MT reaches about 57.1 hp per litre; the 517 hp third-generation 8.3 MT reaches about 62.4 hp per litre; the 608 hp fourth-generation 8.4 MT reaches about 72.5 hp per litre; and the fifth-generation 8.4 MT reaches about 76.3 hp per litre.
The fifth-generation 8.4 MT adds 32 hp and 54 Nm over a 608 hp fourth-generation 8.4 MT while using only 8 cm³ more displacement. It also moves from 2 valves per cylinder in the fourth generation to 4 valves per cylinder. Both retain distributed injection (multi-point), a front-longitudinal engine position and no boost.
Dodge Viper performance and fuel economy
| Generation and version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation 8.0 MT | 4.7 s | 266 km/h | 16.8 | 10.7 | 13.8 |
| Second generation 8.0 MT (456 hp, 664 Nm) | 4.7 s | 290 km/h | 18.1 | 11.2 | 14.7 |
| Second generation 8.0 MT (420 hp) | 4.5 s | 290 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Second generation 8.0 MT (456 hp, 661 Nm) | 4.3 s | 270 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Third generation 8.3 MT (507 hp) | 4.2 s | 304 km/h | 19.6 | 11.2 | 15.7 |
| Third generation 8.3 MT (517 hp) | 4 s | 310 km/h | 19.6 | 11.8 | 15.7 |
| Fourth generation 8.4 MT (600 hp) | 3.9 s | 306 km/h | 30.5 | 12.4 | 19.4 |
| Fourth generation 8.4 MT (608 hp, 325 km/h) | 3 s | 325 km/h | 30.5 | 11.8 | 19.6 |
| Fourth generation 8.4 MT (608 hp, 306 km/h) | 3 s | 306 km/h | 30.5 | 11.8 | 19.6 |
| Fourth generation 8.4 MT (608 hp, 3.8 seconds) | 3.8 s | 325 km/h | 30.5 | 12.4 | 19.4 |
| Fifth generation 8.4 MT | 3.5 s | 325 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
Fuel-consumption figures are listed in litres per 100 km. The first-generation 8.0 MT has the lowest measured consumption: 16.8 city, 10.7 highway and 13.8 combined. The measured third-generation cars both return 15.7 combined, while the fourth-generation versions record either 19.4 or 19.6 combined. Fifth-generation consumption was not measured in the supplied data, so it cannot be compared numerically.
For straight-line acceleration, the two fourth-generation 608 hp 8.4 MT entries rated at 3 seconds are quickest. They are 0.5 seconds quicker to 100 km/h than the fifth-generation 640 hp car, despite giving away 32 hp and 54 Nm. If top speed is the priority, selected fourth-generation 608 hp entries and the fifth-generation 8.4 MT all reach 325 km/h.
Dodge Viper dimensions, weight and wheels
Overall body dimensions and wheelbase were not measured in the supplied data. The available size-related specifications are weight, ground clearance, fuel-tank capacity and wheel size.
| Generation and version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation 8.0 MT | 1,542 kg | not measured | 125 mm | 83 L | 275/40 R17; 335/35 R17 |
| Second generation 8.0 MT (456 hp, 664 Nm) | 1,560 kg | 1,750 kg | 127 mm | 72 L | 275/40 R17; 335/35 R17 |
| Second generation 8.0 MT (420 hp) | 1,580 kg | 1,725 kg | 125 mm | 72 L | not measured |
| Second generation 8.0 MT (456 hp, 661 Nm) | 1,580 kg | 1,725 kg | 125 mm | 72 L | not measured |
| Third generation 8.3 MT (507 hp) | 1,530 kg | not measured | 130 mm | 68 L | 275/35 R19; 345/30 R19 |
| Third generation 8.3 MT (517 hp) | 1,530 kg | not measured | 130 mm | 70 L | 275/35 R19; 345/30 R19 |
| Fourth generation 8.4 MT (600 hp) | 1,545 kg | 1,800 kg | 130 mm | 70 L | 275/35 R19; 345/30 R19 |
| Fourth generation 8.4 MT (608 hp, 325 km/h) | 1,565 kg | 1,820 kg | 130 mm | 70 L | 275/35 R19; 345/30 R19 |
| Fourth generation 8.4 MT (608 hp, 306 km/h) | 1,565 kg | 1,820 kg | 130 mm | 70 L | 275/35 R19; 345/30 R19 |
| Fourth generation 8.4 MT (608 hp, 3.8 seconds) | 1,565 kg | 1,820 kg | 130 mm | 70 L | 275/35 R19; 345/30 R19 |
| Fifth generation 8.4 MT | 1,521 kg | 1,900 kg | 127 mm | 70 L | 355/30 R19; 295/30 R18 |
The fifth-generation 8.4 MT combines the lowest kerb weight in the catalogue, 1,521 kg, with the highest output, 640 hp. Its weight-to-power figure is about 2.38 kg per horsepower. A 1,565 kg, 608 hp fourth-generation 8.4 MT is about 2.57 kg per horsepower, while the 1,530 kg, 517 hp third-generation 8.3 MT is about 2.96 kg per horsepower.
Which Dodge Viper version should you choose?
Choose the fifth-generation 8.4 MT if maximum engine output and the strongest weight-to-power result matter most. It offers 640 hp, 814 Nm and 2.38 kg per horsepower, while its 325 km/h top speed matches the highest figure in the catalogue. It is also the clear choice among the listed cars for buyers who want a Coupe with the most powerful specification.
Choose a fourth-generation 608 hp 8.4 MT with the quoted 3-second acceleration time if 0–100 km/h performance is the deciding figure. Compared with the fifth-generation car, it has 32 hp less and weighs 44 kg more, yet its quoted acceleration is 0.5 seconds quicker. Between the otherwise similar 3-second entries, the 325 km/h version provides 19 km/h more top speed than the 306 km/h version.
Choose the third-generation 517 hp 8.3 MT for a middle ground among the Roadsters. It gains 10 hp and 13 Nm over the 507 hp 8.3 MT, cuts the 0–100 km/h time by 0.2 seconds and raises top speed by 6 km/h. Kerb weight remains 1,530 kg and combined consumption remains 15.7, although highway consumption increases from 11.2 to 11.8.
Among second-generation Coupes, the 456 hp, 664 Nm 8.0 MT is the strongest choice when top speed and measured economy both matter: it reaches 290 km/h and records 14.7 combined. The other 456 hp 8.0 MT accelerates 0.4 seconds quicker but tops out 20 km/h lower, while its fuel consumption was not measured.
Choose the first-generation 8.0 MT when the earliest Roadster specification and the lowest measured fuel use are more important than maximum performance. Its 406 hp output is the lowest listed, but its 13.8 combined consumption is also the lowest measured figure, and its 83 L tank is the largest in the catalogue.