The SRT Viper has only just recently begun rolling off of assembly lines, but Chrysler has wasted no time rolling out the special editions of their new halo car. First came the SRT Viper GTS Launch Edition, which was really just a tarted-up exterior and accessory package. But we all knew it was only a matter of time before Chrysler stepped up with a badass performance package.
And the Pentastar has not disappointed. The new SRT Viper TA, which stands for Time Attack, has been announced with a lower curb weight, some suspension improvements, and a focus on taking back the Laguna Seca lap record from the Corvette ZR1. Motor Trend took it back to the track to see if driver Randy Probst could take this faster Viper to a better time.
At the heart of the SRT Viper TA package is a new carbon fiber aero kit and a functional rear spoiler that provides 300 pounds of downforce at 150 mph. The kit also sheds about 30 pounds of weight over the Viper GTS, down to just 3,332 ponds, and also gets the Viper GTS’s two-mode remote reservoir shocks, as well as an engine X-brace to help provide more cornering power.
While the 640 horsepower engine remains untouched, the lighter weight and suspension bits help the Viper TA go from 0 – 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds. The quarter mile flies by in 11.3 seconds at more than 129 mph. This $120,000 Viper also tackled Laguna Seca again at the hands of Randy Probst, improving on its original time by post a 1:33.62, a mere 0.08 seconds faster than the ZR1.
Chrysler has taken back the Laguna Seca lap record, and 33 lucky owners will get their hands on these special Vipers to commemorate the achievement.