This has truly been a year of ups and downs for Dodge Viper->ke1404 fans. Starting off with the proposed liquidation of the brand and more recently setting the single lap record at Laguna Seca, but the ultimate blow for any Viper enthusiast is that 2010 will be the last year that Chrysler will produce the V10 powered American super car. However even if the Viper is coming to an end, Dodge decided to go out in style; and in doing so they have promised that 2010 will be the best year in Viper history.

Even if there will only be 500 units produced in 2010, Dodge has announced that there will be more special and limited edition models than ever in next year's lineup. There will also be two new colors added to the Viper's color chart including a sparkling Toxic Orange Pearl and a glossy Bright Silver Metallic paint options. The 2010 snake will also be available with a wider dual racing stripe pattern and more than 7,600 possible variations concerning appearance alone.

The 2010 Viper SRT10 will be powered by an enormous 8.4 Liter V10 power plant that produces 600 HP and 560 lb-ft of torque that rocket the engine with wheels from 0 to 60 MPH in less than 4 seconds, run the quarter mile in the mid 11 second range before hitting a top speed of 202 MPH. However showing that the Viper is an all around performance machine it can complete the coveted 0-100-0 MPH run in 11 seconds flat.

Press release after the jump.

Press release

To celebrate the final production year of the current generation Dodge Viper SRT10, Dodge plans to deliver a vehicle lineup like no other since the introduction of the iconic American sports car in 1992.

At the heart of the 2010 Dodge Viper SRT10 remains the venerable 8.4-liter (510 cu. in.) V-10 engine that produces 600 (450 kW) horsepower and 560 lb.-ft. (760 N•m) of torque. Benchmark performance numbers, including 0-60 mph in less than 4 seconds, quarter-mile time in the mid 11-second range and 0-100-0 mph in 11 seconds flat, and a top speed of 202 mph, continue to prove how the serious, race-inspired, street-legal two-seater performs without apology.

Body style offerings remain unchanged with the availability of Roadster and Coupe models along with the ACR (American Club Racer) package. Approximately 500 vehicles will be built for the 2010 model year.

With the introduction of two new exterior colors–Toxic Orange Pearl Coat and Bright Silver Metallic Clear Coat–Dodge Viper SRT10 is now available in 12 different colors – the most regularly available choices in one model year. And with six stripe options in the new wider configuration, five different interior color combinations, four different wheel choices and three available interior bezels; the 2010 Viper SRT10 will be available in more than 7,600 combinations–the most for any one model year–significantly adding to the exclusivity of each car like never before.

New across the Viper lineup is a shorter fifth gear ratio (changing from 0.74 to 0.80) for improved high-speed acceleration and higher straightaway speeds. Acceleration from 0-200 mph has improved by 14 seconds. This improvement is a direct result of the Chrysler Group LLC Street and Racing Technology team’s experience at the 12.9-mile Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany where during the lap-record run in 2008, it was found that a revised gear ratio would have resulted in higher top gear acceleration and a quicker lap time.

The Viper SRT10 channels its power through a ZF Sachs twin-disc clutch that reduces rotating inertia by 18 percent, reduces clutch-pedal effort and improves engagement feel. Transferring power to the rear wheels is a heavy-duty six-speed manual transmission.

Stopping power is another carefully developed part of the Viper SRT10 equation, with 14-inch brake rotors gripped by Brembo 44/40 dual-opposing piston calipers in the front and Brembo 42/38 dual-opposing calipers in the rear. This system results in world-class braking performance of 60-0 mph in less than 100 feet.

Interior color options for 2010 include: standard black, two-tone black and red with red accent stitching, two-tone black and blue with blue accent stitching, two-tone black and medium slate grey with medium slate grey accent stitching and the two-tone black and natural tan with premium tan Nappa leather seats, tan center console, lower instrument panel and door panels introduced for the 2009 model year. On the Roadster model, the black and tan package includes a matching tan cloth convertible top.