Dodge Viper set to put the bite on buyers

Want to know the price of the Dodge Viper in New Zealand? So do we. But Chrysler isn't saying, at least not until it unveils right-hand-drive versions of the V10-powered car at Pukekohe race track next month.

The only clue to the cost is the price of the cars in Australia - $A250,000 ($NZ279,000) each.

The RT/10 Roadster and GTS Coupe were converted to right-hand-drive by Melbourne company Viperformance, a specialist operation since 1994, and went on sale there last month.

The same company will also work on the second-generation Viper, which went into production in America in September.

The current right-hand-drive models for Australia and New Zealand are first-generation variants, launched in America in 1992.

Both are powered by an 8-litre V10 engine producing 336kW (450bhp) at 5200rpm and 664Nm of torque at 3700rpm. The engine redlines at 6000rpm and the fuel shuts off at 6200rpm. The second-generation Viper is powered by an 8.3-litre version of the same engine, producing 375kW (500bhp) and about 675Nm of torque.

The Americans are calling it a 500/500/500 car. That's 500bhp, 500ft-lb of torque and 500cubic inches, all going to the rear wheels. Viperformance is expected to start RHD conversions next May.