Performance Review: Dodge Viper 8.0L V10 - [1989]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Dodge Viper Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Dodge Viper 8.0L V10 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1989. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1989 Ferrari F40 LM Competizione 2.9 V8 Twin Turbo and the 1989 Lotus Esprit S3 Turbo SE.This particular Dodge Viper has a 7994cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 10 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V10's includes the 2019 Lamborghini Huracan EVO 5.2 V10

The Viper shares its Petrol V10 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Lamborghini Huracan EVO 5.2 V10 and the 2017 Lamborghini Huracan Performante 5.2 V10. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Viper's Rear Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1454 kgs (3205 lbs) this makes the Dodge Viper 8.0L V10 in the same weight category as the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Dodge Viper shares the same bhp with the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo 992 (380 bhp)

In terms of power the 7994cc 20V V10 engine produces 400 bhp (298 kW) @ 4600 rpm similar to the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo 992 (380 bhp) or the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (395 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V10 throws out 450 lb-ft (610.1 Nm) @ 3600 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (470 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (443 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Dodge Viper you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2015 Audi A8 S8 Plus 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (300.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Dodge Viper.

The Dodge Viper has a Power to weight ratio of 275.1 bhp per ton and 309.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1989 Viper competing with the 2015 Audi A8 S8 Plus 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (300.0 bhp per ton) or the 2019 BMW 8 Series M8 Competition Gran Coupe 4.4 V8 Turbo (299.7 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Dodge Viper generating around 309.4 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2014 Lamborghini Aventador LP750-4 Superveloce (333.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2012 Ferrari F12 Berlinetta 6.3L V12 (333.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.0 secs, this made the Dodge Viper 8.0L V10 as fast as the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (4.80 secs) the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (4.80 secs) the 2018 Rolls-Royce Cullinan 6.7 V12 Turbo (4.80 secs) the or the 2017 Maserati GranCabrio Sport 4.7 V8 (4.80 secs). This Dodge Viper 8.0L V10 is also faster than the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (4.90 secs) the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (4.90 secs) the 2021 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (4.90 secs) the and the 2020 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 16V Touring (4.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Viper and the 2008 Lotus Europa SE 2.0 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Dodge Viper on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.57 secs @ 108.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2008 Lotus Europa SE 2.0 Turbo (12.51 secs), the 2003 Volvo S60 2.5R (12.51 secs), and the 1948 Ferrari 166 MM (12.52 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1989 version of the Dodge Viper 8.0L V10 has a maximum speed of 160mph.

Top Speed of the 1989 Viper equals the 2018 Porsche Boxster T 2.0 Turbo PDK 982 (171 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1989 Dodge Viper 8.0L V10 then how about the 2018 Porsche Boxster T 2.0 Turbo PDK 982 (171 mph), the 2018 Porsche Boxster T 2.0 Turbo 982 (171 mph), or the 2013 Jaguar F Type S 3.0 V6 (171 mph).

Related Links:

1989 Viper Rivals List.

A Brief History of Dodge

Car Comparison