Dodge Viper news - Sod the planet!

With oil running at over $100 a barrel and petrol prices skyrocketing at pumps worldwide, it seems that eco-concerns are set to finally catch up with the Americans. Not if the Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR gets there first, though.

ACR stands for American Club Racer, which tells you something about where Dodge is pitching this top-of-the-range Viper. It's essentially a track car you can drive on the road, and, well, let's just say that no one's going to miss you coming.

The figures are, well, imposing. Dodge has revised the induction system on the Viper's 8.4-litre V10, so the truck engine now develops an uncompromising 600bhp and 560lb ft of torque. There's no word on performance yet, but given that the standard SRT10 will hit 60mph in the 3.5-second bracket and top out at 197mph, we're talking about some pretty serious pace. 

That'll be aided by the ACR's carbon fibre aero kit, which comprises a new front splitter, a seven-way adjustable rear wing and track-only side plates, which Dodge says all helps to increase downforce by up to a third.

All that carbon fibre helps to keep the weight down, too - the ACR is some 18kg lighter than the standard Viper, but spec the pleasantly-named 'Hard Core' pack and Dodge will shave off an extra 18kg on top of that by stripped out the radio, carpets and other non-strictly-essential bits.

The Viper SRT10 ACR will be officially unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show next week to the sound of Middle Eastern oil barons gleefully rubbing their hands together.