SRT Viper slithers into view in New York

Meet the 2013 SRT Viper, the long-awaited replacement for the car considered by many to be the archetype of American muscle. Beneath the smooth-but-brawny bodywork nestles an 8.4-litre V10 producing 640bhp, and most likely ‘a whole lotta noise’.

Combined with a significant weight reduction against the previous model, this gives the new Viper a power-to-weight ratio that positions it neatly between the Ferrari F12berlinetta and the Lamborghini Aventador.

That is impressive, considering it will cost around half the price of either. The colossal engine achieves this despite being naturally aspirated, its 600lb ft of twist making it the most torque-rich, non-turbocharged engine in the world.

The Viper – which you might have noticed is no longer branded a Dodge, now coming under Chrysler’s SRT performance arm – is available in two versions: standard and ‘GTS’. The latter is no more powerful, but comes with dual-mode active suspension and "premium materials inside and out".

SRT Viper slithers into view in New York

It seems that the new Viper has also made great strides towards catching its European rivals in other departments, too. A new multimedia system, with 8.4-inch screen and multi-music-source capability, provides music to the Harmon Kardon speaker system. Another screen, positioned inside the driver’s binnacle, displays customisable 'virtual instrumentation'.

Thanks to new US legislation, for the first time a Viper comes with stability systems and traction control. However – no doubt to the delight of Viper fanatics – both are fully switchable to provide the kind of tyre-shredding anarchy for which Vipers are famous.