Before I get into the new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10, I think there is something we should all get on the same page about first. That is one of the definitions of something that you’ll need a healthy dose of if you are entertaining becoming the owner of the even more potent 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10.

Respect; to take notice of; to regard with special attention; to regard as worthy of special consideration; hence, to care for; to heed.

Got it? Good. Now, the latest Viper has been modified to deliver…wait for it…even more power! I would love to have been in that product planning meeting where some guy stood up and said, “I think the Viper needs more power.” Clearly his medication isn’t working as advertised.

For 2008, the Viper has an 8.4 Litre normally aspirated V10 that pumps out 600bhp and 560ft/lbs of torque. The engine also features new cylinder heads equipped with Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) shaped combustion chambers and larger valves, along with Variable Valve Timing (VVT) which electronically adjusts when the exhaust valves are open and closed according to engine speed and load, allowing cleaner and more efficient “breathing”

That kind of power gives the Viper true ‘Supercar” performance numbers like 0-97 km/h (0-60 mph) in less than 4 seconds (which it will just about do in first gear), and 0-160-0 km/h (0-100-0 mph) in the low 12-second range.

Stunning performance to say the least.

Externally, the new Viper features a new hood with larger, more efficient hood scoop for air induction and functional hood louvers to facilitate a greater cooling. In addition, you can customize your new Viper with a choice of eight external colours including Venom Red, Snakeskin Green, Viper Violet, Viper Orange and Bright Blue – our tester was Venom Red – and there’s a choice of five dual-painted stripe colours, five interior colours and three wheel designs.

Okay, so let’s talk fuel mileage… (stop laughing). Trust me on this one, I will have the last laugh. Guess which vehicle has the best highway mileage. A 2008 Dodge Nitro with 4.0 V6, Chevrolet Impala with the Flex Fuel capable 3.9 V6, Ford Edge AWD with the 3.5 V6 or the Viper?

The new Viper is rated at 16.8 L/100 km in the city and 9.2 L/100 km highway.

That 9.2 is, in figures you’ll understand, is 31 mpg. That ties it in the above group with the Edge – and it beats the rest.

There are two main reasons that the Viper gets respectable highway mileage. First, with 600 bhp, you can slip the snake in 6th gear, cruise at 120kph and the engine is turning about 1200rpm. This means that it’s barely idling, so there’s not much fuel being used. The second reason is the shape. The low slung, low drag body on the Viper cuts through the air.