Skip to main content

Vivid discovers the only way to make an SRT Viper more vicious is with carbon fiber

While the 2013 SEMA show floor might be flooded with lowered Chevrolet Sonics and purple Scion FR-S, there is still reason to tune into the coverage. And it comes in the form of a carbon fiber Viper from Vivid Racing.

Normally, when you hear about Vegas and a company named Vivid, you might be expecting some kind of adult entertainment. In fact, that’s exactly what you are getting; it’s just not pornography with naked people. Instead, it’s the automotive kind.

The Vivid Viper perhaps the most incredible use of carbon fiber on any performance car at this year’s SEMA. Vivid Racing partnered with carbon experts Seibon to replace most of the swoop-y body with carbon fiber.

The most impressive bit by far is the hood. The massive clamshell was forged as one piece. And, as you can see from the pictures, it looks like it belongs on a stealth fighter rather than a car.

Also new to this concept are carbon fiber splitters, diffusers, skirts, and a massive new wing. My bet is that anyone who is going to drive this car is going to be very happy about that added downforce because this much weight saving is going to make SRT’s already unpredictable 640 horsepower snake downright vicious.

Vivid gives no news on what changes lurk underneath all that sublime carbon fiber, but Vivid wants us to have high expectations. Vivid says that SEMA goers are in for a surprise.

Personally, I am thrilled to see just what kind of performance Vivid has in store for its carbon fiber Viper.

The SRT Viper is one of my favorite cars – not because it’s apparently a terror to drive – but because it screams raw sports car in a way that few other cars can.

That’s why I am so glad to see the big bad snake make its way to SEMA with Vivid. After all, it’s a place where brash over-the-top performance is king. 

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Peter Braun
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Peter is a freelance contributor to Digital Trends and almost a lawyer. He has loved thinking, writing and talking about cars…
Best electric car charger deals: $100 off home charging stations
The handle of the Grizzl-E EV charger plugged into a vehicle.

A few years ago, electric vehicles were pretty rare or cost a fortune, but with more and more of the larger car brands getting into the game, there are a lot of excellent and even budget-friendly choices nowadays. That said, the electrical network for charging your cars might not be that widespread, so instead you'll have to rely on charging your car at home. Luckily, there are a lot of excellent car chargers at a discount, so if you've just bought an EV or want to upgrade your current charging solution, be sure to check out our favorite deals below.
Shockflo EV charger — $205, was $220

This EV charger by Shockflo is a Level 2 EV charger, which offers six times faster charging than a standard charger. It delivers 24 miles with just one hour of charging, and it can act as a mobile charger you can throw in the trunk or be mounted to a wall. It has an LCD display with useful information like charging rate, voltage, and charging time, as well as LED indicator lights that lets you know charging progress and errors.

Read more
Mercedes-Benz EQG: range, price, release date, and more
Concept image of the larger electric G-Wagon

The G-Class is going electric. We already knew that Mercedes-Benz was working on an electric, small-size G-Wagon, but it looks like the company is also working on a larger G-Class SUV, in the form of the EQG. In fact, Mercedes has gone as far as to show off a concept version of the off-roader.

While there's much we don't know about what will become the production model of the EQG, Mercedes has also shared a lot about it. Curious about whether the Mercedes-Benz EQG could be the EV for you? Here's everything we know so far.
Design
Fear not -- the EQG will retain many of the design aspects of the G-Class that you already know and love but with a modern face-lift. The EQG will keep the boxy design that gives the G-Class a classic look but with some additional modern styling, at least if the concept version is anything to go by.

Read more
Rivian R2 vs. Kia EV9: battle of affordable electric SUVs
Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

The long-awaited Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it's an excellent option for those who want an electric SUV that doesn't completely break the bank. Sure, the R2 isn't cheap -- but it's a whole lot cheaper than most other EVs out there, especially when it comes to SUVs. But Rivian isn't the only company trying to tackle the problem of the budget electric SUV. The Kia EV9 is finally available, and it too offers a modern design and a range of helpful features.

Given the fact that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electric SUVs in a similar price range, you might be wondering which is better for your needs. That's why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head-to-head.
Design
Both the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 are actual SUVs -- not crossovers pretending to be SUVs, like plenty of other EVs out there. The two vehicles offer big, boxy designs and plenty of interior space, making them excellent options for families or those who need that extra storage.

Read more