Our First Reviews Of The Viper ACR Are In!

[XSnake]

Someone on instagram mentioned a 1:42 lap time. I asked for clarification or where they might have read that, but no response. Anyone else hear anything? That sounds too good to be true.

lol, 1:42 would be faster than the GT3-R.

[allans]

When did Nissan make an 800hp GTR?

Obviously not stock. Also full track set up.

[brianmakse]

Brian, great read and very entertaining! Do you find the ACR's stiffer suspension make the car any more difficult to drive near the limit than the TA? I feel very comfortable with my GTS at the limit, very predictable on corner entry and stable on exit. If the ass end steps out, I don't have near the drama that I do in my stiffly sprung Mustang race car.

And just for fun, based on seeing these beasts in person, do you have a favorite color scheme?

UPDATE: Finally got on wifi so I could see your vid. My question is answered, sounds like it's very well balanced at the limit, cannot wait to wring it out on the great tracks of NorCal. Brian, your passion comes through in this vid. It's great to have a true car guy and track rat among the automotive journalist community. Keep up the great work!

Thank you!

Glad you got to see the vid. The ACR has epic aero grip, and even the mechanical grip is amazing, but the real trick to all of it is the dampers, IMO. The chassis still has great feedback, so it's relatively easy to stay on top of the ACR. For anyone with a touch of experience, it's easy to drive. And it's a blast. I'm still dreaming about that car and I'm ridiculously fortunate to have the opportunity to drive it like that. The Viper guys make my job way too easy and way too much fun.

There is so much aero grip that I wasn't able to play with the limits above maybe 80 mph. Between shooting and getting back up to speed at VIR, there just wasn't enough time for me to explore high speed limits. Work first, play second, I guess. The ACR just sticks at high speed. The aero is mega.

For colour, I'd go 1 of 1 on that - and I'm keeping that colour combo to myself! I did like our blue/white car we used for the static shots.

You're gonna love it!

[brianmakse]

Can you please stop making these videos they are costing me a lot of money!! jk I watched your TA video 100 times, then I bought one. Now I'm looking forward to getting a ACR and that gts-r blue has caught my eye. Is that the one you thought looked the best out of the ones at the test day?

Ha ha! I won't quit! It's my job!

Yes, I really did like that blue, looks stunning and totally appropriate, though I could be persuaded with red. Still, I'd do a 1 of 1 colour combination, exterior only.

[brianmakse]

Brian,

Thank you for the hustle to be one of the first to get the reviews up. I must say I slept like a baby on Thursday night after reading your review. It's not everyday us Viper faithful put deposits down on 140k+ cars without reading a single real world review, and now I think we can all rejoice in relief. LOL

As always, I love your reviews and your refreshing take on the Viper. I think the suspension dynamics and predictability have been well answered for me, however, the one question I have is on the new braking system. I understand they are vastly improved over the 4 piston iron setups in terms of bite, but how did you find the modulation on turn in? Did it have more of an on/off feel or did it have a level of linearity that you found pleasing? There has been so much internet banter about the performance of CCBs for a dedicated track car application it would be nice to get your take.

And last but not least, when are you going to put your deposit down on your very own ACR?

Thank you! And Nick and I appreciate it. We hustled to get the review and video done as quickly as humanly possible.

Great question. First, as a racing driver, it seems that I'm naturally hypersensitive when it comes to braking. Second, I'm a trail braker by nature, particularly when it comes to road cars. Since these ACRs were set up for a bunch of ham fisted journalists to chug around VIR, trail braking was the name of the game. You can set yours up a bit more aggressively, but power, feel, and modulation are at a different level with these carbon ceramics. Epic, epic braking power, as well. It blew me away. I thought I was mega deep into the pedal - negative Gs threw me into the seat belt - but still didn't even get into the ABS. Wicked stuff.

To me, it seemed perfectly natural to bleed off brake pressure after turn in. No surprises anywhere on the circuit. Feel was great and there's more than enough precision in the pedal feel. I drove all four cars they had available and every pedal felt identical, which was excellent IMO.

Hope that makes sense.

[darbgnik]

Thank you! And Nick and I appreciate it. We hustled to get the review and video done as quickly as humanly possible.

Great question. First, as a racing driver, it seems that I'm naturally hypersensitive when it comes to braking. Second, I'm a trail braker by nature, particularly when it comes to road cars. Since these ACRs were set up for a bunch of ham fisted journalists to chug around VIR, trail braking was the name of the game. You can set yours up a bit more aggressively, but power, feel, and modulation are at a different level with these carbon ceramics. Epic, epic braking power, as well. It blew me away. I thought I was mega deep into the pedal - negative Gs threw me into the seat belt - but still didn't even get into the ABS. Wicked stuff.

To me, it seemed perfectly natural to bleed off brake pressure after turn in. No surprises anywhere on the circuit. Feel was great and there's more than enough precision in the pedal feel. I drove all four cars they had available and every pedal felt identical, which was excellent IMO.

Hope that makes sense.

Great review of the carbon brakes of the ACR, not every cars' carbon brakes have the feel and modulation, to match the fade resistance. Happy to see Dodge's late entry into the carbon brakes game was worth the wait.

[ViperSmith]

Brian, did you get any ither impressions from Randy beyond what he wrote?

Enjoyed your video and writeup. You do a fantastic job.

[brianmakse]

Great review of the carbon brakes of the ACR, not every cars' carbon brakes have the feel and modulation, to match the fade resistance. Happy to see Dodge's late entry into the carbon brakes game was worth the wait.

You're absolutely right there. I whinge about bad carbon ceramics frequently and finally got to an understanding after speaking to Aston Martin's engineers. I asked why their's were so good compared to other mfrs and it turns out that have a small team that's entirely concerned with brake performance from the human standpoint.

SRT is the same kind of operation. A small bunch of engineers who actually get it, so I'm not surprised that the CCBs are awesome in the ACR.

[brianmakse]

Brian, did you get any ither impressions from Randy beyond what he wrote?

Enjoyed your video and writeup. You do a fantastic job.

Thanks! I appreciate it and I'm always trying to improve my game. I'm not a naturally talented writer, so it takes a bit of work for me. One day I'll be able to crank out prose like the pros. Credit for the video all goes to my partner in the series, Nick Busato. He's a wicked talented motorsports photographer (look him up!) who has somehow decided he can tolerate working with me to make pretty car videos.

I was on a different wave than Randy and only saw him across the room at dinner one night. I drove the first day, Randy the second. Don't forget that Andy Lally was there for Jalopnik. I'm interested in what Andy has to say.

[Rapidrezults]

Yet another glowing review. This one from wired.com of all places. Some quotes:

"The stiff-armed truculence commonly associated with Vipers has been replaced by fingertip precision. Grinning behind my mirrored visor, I open the throttle the rest of the way as we head up the hill, entering the final right-hand curve with enough drift angle to make a Hollywood stunt director nod in appreciation. It’s just so right. It’s what I thought race cars would be like before I drove them and learned they are lashed-up nightmares with sharp edges all over the interior. The ACR does whatever I want it to do, period, point-blank."

"Through the sharp-cornered inner loop, the Viper changes direction with the ease of the best small two-seaters. Just stomp the brake and turn; if you’ve pushed too far the back end is trivially easy to catch. The intimidation that was part and parcel of the old-school Viper experience is gone, replaced with what feels like the ability to violate the laws of physics with the same ease that the V-10 violates the laws of traffic."

http://www.wired.com/2015/07/117500-...r-thats-steal/

[I Bin Therbefor]

The articles are the result of the radical difference between providing well prepared cars and turning the motoring press loose on cars that haven't completed development and whose chassis isn't even properly aligned?

[Viktimize]

lol, 1:42 would be faster than the GT3-R.

Yes that is exactly what I said on Instagram when asking about it to the guy that posted it. Still no reply. But what I was wondering is if it was supposed to be a 1:52? That is a believable but also good time.

Obviously not stock. Also full track set up.

Which means it isn't a production car like mentioned. That's why MTGTS was asking.

[Russ Oasis]

Guys,
For clarification, on Hoosier slicks (not as sticky at Pirelli or Michelin slicks) a properly set up comp coupe (World Challenge spec) turns a 1:55 or so on the full course. A well prepared and modified comp coupe with 800 hp, traction control and a sequential, can make it through in about 1:52 (again on Hoosiers). That should give you an idea of what it would mean if a stock ACR could ever turn a 1:56 or under on the full course. You'd be into the professionally set up Viper Comp Coupe arena, right off the showroom floor. I've driven VIR extensively. The best I've squeezed out on Pirellis in my comp coupe is a 1:54.1

[Bruce H.]

Hi Brian,

It was a pleasure meeting you today at Mosport with our club and discussing your testing of the ACR. I was both surprised and pleased that when asked what you liked the most about the ACR you said the suspension first, and CCB's were second I believe. I asked if you thought the dampers and springs would be compliant enough for limited street use, and many here will be delighted to hear that you think it would be, but you warned of the limited ground clearance. I was hoping for my own needs that the removable splitter and diffuser might somehow fit into the trunk to allow driving the car to the track and back, but you said they wouldn't fit. That's helpful information for those on the fence between a TA and an ACR, and we all very much appreciated your insight and honestly.

A high performance car that is as capable as the Viper can not be properly tested and reviewed by many of the automotive journalists who will try, and we're fortunate to have someone with your Viper and racing background present a qualified review. Thanks again.

Bruce

[allans]

Yes that is exactly what I said on Instagram when asking about it to the guy that posted it. Still no reply. But what I was wondering is if it was supposed to be a 1:52? That is a believable but also good time.




Which means it isn't a production car like mentioned. That's why MTGTS was asking.

Thank you for your insight. Best, Allan

[TrackAire]

Guys,
For clarification, on Hoosier slicks (not as sticky at Pirelli or Michelin slicks) a properly set up comp coupe (World Challenge spec) turns a 1:55 or so on the full course. A well prepared and modified comp coupe with 800 hp, traction control and a sequential, can make it through in about 1:52 (again on Hoosiers). That should give you an idea of what it would mean if a stock ACR could ever turn a 1:56 or less on the full course. You'd be into the professionally set up Viper Comp Coupe arena, right off the showroom floor. I've driven VIR extensively. The best I've squeezed out on Pirellis in my comp coupe is a 1:54.1

Russ,

I've not driven VIR yet (on the bucket list), so I've got a couple of questions you might be able to answer. I guess there are a couple of different configurations, is that correct?...also, IIRC VIR was repaved making the track faster since the repave. If this is true, we almost need two sets of time, before and after the repave so we can really compare car vs car.

The times you quoted, were they before or after the repave? I'm trying to get a handle on what would be a relevant time after the repave. I'm starting to get the gut feeling that the new ACR Extreme Aero may be the fastest production car out there ever, even faster than the Porsche 918 and Mac P1 if it ever tries for a time.

Thanks in advance,
George

[Viktimize]

Even if these cars like P1 and Laferrari can run comparable times for one lap. How do those cars stack up on multiple laps? Do these half battery powered cars tend to slow down over multiple lap hard use?

[Eachey51]

http://autoweek.com/article/car-revi...wouldve-bit-ya
This one just out!

[Crotalidae]

http://autoweek.com/article/car-revi...wouldve-bit-ya
This one just out!

Nice read...

[VENOM V]

Even if these cars like P1 and Laferrari can run comparable times for one lap. How do those cars stack up on multiple laps? Do these half battery powered cars tend to slow down over multiple lap hard use?

Yes, the Porsche 918 lost it's juice on lap 3 at Laguna Seca. The hybrids are good for maybe 3 laps, as is the C7 Z06. I think the popular track cars of this era will be the Viper, the Mustang GT-350, Porsche GT3, and the Camaro Z/28 (both current gen upcoming next gen). I'm sure there are others, but these are the ones that look to be truly track capable and relatively reliable, don't overheat, blow up or run out of juice within a handful of laps. Sad that the C7 Vette didn't make the cut, but maybe they'll improve it's track worthiness.

[99RT10]

http://autoweek.com/article/car-revi...wouldve-bit-ya

[brianmakse]

Hi Brian,

It was a pleasure meeting you today at Mosport with our club and discussing your testing of the ACR. I was both surprised and pleased that when asked what you liked the most about the ACR you said the suspension first, and CCB's were second I believe. I asked if you thought the dampers and springs would be compliant enough for limited street use, and many here will be delighted to hear that you think it would be, but you warned of the limited ground clearance. I was hoping for my own needs that the removable splitter and diffuser might somehow fit into the trunk to allow driving the car to the track and back, but you said they wouldn't fit. That's helpful information for those on the fence between a TA and an ACR, and we all very much appreciated your insight and honestly.

A high performance car that is as capable as the Viper can not be properly tested and reviewed by many of the automotive journalists who will try, and we're fortunate to have someone with your Viper and racing background present a qualified review. Thanks again.

Bruce

Hi Bruce,

The pleasure was mine! I guess you could always get a roof rack...it's not like that hasn't been done before. Next time you'll have to take me for a lap or two!

Brian

[Bill Pemberton]

Brian ,

Really enjoyed the Video, like so many others and having tracked these machines since 1999, it was a pleasure to get quick feedback from someone who not only gets it , but realizes what a surprising car the new ACR is --- right out of the box. Those that spend time on the track , also realize, that given a year or so of guys fine tuning the Extreme , the times will come down even farther. I have to admit , letting loose a bunch of journalists at VIR showed a lot of confidence from Dodge and they are to be commended. Fun track, but as you observed , not always one that is forgiving and fantastic to see and hear your laps. Keep it up and don't stop posting!

[Russ Oasis]

Russ,

I've not driven VIR yet (on the bucket list), so I've got a couple of questions you might be able to answer. I guess there are a couple of different configurations, is that correct?...also, IIRC VIR was repaved making the track faster since the repave. If this is true, we almost need two sets of time, before and after the repave so we can really compare car vs car.

The times you quoted, were they before or after the repave? I'm trying to get a handle on what would be a relevant time after the repave. I'm starting to get the gut feeling that the new ACR Extreme Aero may be the fastest production car out there ever, even faster than the Porsche 918 and Mac P1 if it ever tries for a time.

Thanks in advance,
George

George,
Yes, they repaved VIR and yes, it did make a bit of a difference, however, tires make more of a difference than the re-pave. The 1:54.1 I did was on Pirelli tires and the OLD pavement. The 1:56 was on Hoosiers on the new pavement. The heat of the day as well as humidity and how recently it had rained, can all make a difference in the grip. If a new ACR, right off the showroom floor, can match a well set up Comp Coupe, I would say that's quite an accomplishment. It would be awesome.

[Rapidrezults]

The much anticipated Jalopnik / Andy Lally review is in.

If this video doesn't make you want to book your next track day, I don't know what will!

Awesome Video:




Published Review:

http://jalopnik.com/2016-dodge-viper...iew-1719237409