The Viper ACR (American Club Racing) model was introduced in 1999, three years into the second generation of the sports car.->ke506 Available only as a coupe,->ke141 the ACR received a host of aerodynamic and mechanical enhancements developed for the track. A revised front bumper, a vented hood and a fixed rear wing were the main body highlights, while a stiffer, adjustable suspension improved its handling. Likewise, the 8.0-liter V-10 of the second-gen Viper had its output increased by 10 ponies to 460 horsepower for the ACR. Curb weight was reduced by more than 50 pounds. The third-gen Viper didn't offer an ACR version, but the track-ready sports car returned in 2008 with even more updates. But unlike its predecessor, the new ACR didn't have any engine modifications as the 8.4-liter V-10 kept its stock 600 horsepower and 560 pound-feet of torque. In 2011, a 2010 Viper ACR lapped the Nurburgring->ke999 track in 7 minutes, 12.13 seconds. The sports car remains the sixth fastest production car on the "Green Hell" as of 2014. The 2010 model year was the last year for the ACR, but as we approach 2015, Dodge is showcasing an ACR Concept based on the fifth-generation model at the SEMA Show.

Could this mean the track-spec Viper is returning after a four-year absence? Dodge has yet to confirm it, but the concept car->ke169 looks very familiar and ready to hit the assembly line. Check out the details after the jump as we wait for Chrysler to release more photos of the new ACR.

Click past the jump to read more about the Dodge Viper ACR Concept.

2015 Dodge Viper ACR Concept

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 Dodge Viper ACR Concept
  • Engine/Motor: V10
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

Dodge has released only one photo of the Viper ACR as of October 2014, but the image is enough for us to realize this concept car got the same treatment as the production vehicles based on previous Vipers. The front fascia updates are awfully familiar, as they include a carbon-fiber splitter, carbon-fiber canards on each side of the bumper, a race-spec vented hood, and fender gills. Around back, a large, carbon-fiber wing with aluminum stanchions provides additional downforce for enhanced cornering at high speeds.

As with all ACR Vipers, the concept sits on lightweight, 19-inch wheels shod in high-performance tires. Additionally, a new braking system with massive, 15.4-inch, carbon-ceramic, two-piece rotors and Brembo six-piston calipers provide much-needed stopping power. The brakes are cooled by carbon-fiber ducts in the front bumper, which speaks volumes about Dodge's efforts in reducing the ACR's curb weight as much as possible.

Rounding off the ACR Concept is the nameplate's signature livery. Finished in white, the body is adorned by a thick gloss-black center stripe that flows from nose to tail, with an offset Adrenaline Red stripe adding a dash of color and completing the familiar paint scheme.

Interior

There are no photos of the Viper ACR Concept's interior, but Dodge claims it puts an emphasis on weight reduction. Most of the vehicle's convenience features, including the radio amplifier, speakers, and the carpet, have been removed, while carbon fiber replaces every bezel in the cockpit. The race seats, steering wheel and the shifter have all been wrapped in Alcantara for better grip.

Other unique features include a Header Red stripe for the 12-o'clock position of the steering wheel, a Stryker badge and a heritage ACR instrument panel badge with a carbon-fiber inlay. Accent stitching is there to remind us the ACR is based on the road-legal Viper.

Drivetrain

There's no word on what lurks under the ACR's hood, but it's safe to assume it's the same 8.4-liter, V-10 engine currently offered in the standard Viper. For 2015, the mill has been updated to deliver 645 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque, a five-pony improvement over last year's model.

Although it's likely that the Viper ACR Concept comes with no additional horsepower, the reduced weight and tweaked internals should improve the sports car's 0-to-60-mph time, with the standard 3.3-second sprint reduced to 3.2 or even 3.1 seconds.

Prices

Being only a concept car, the Viper ACR comes with no pricing information. However, it's very likely that the SEMA Show vehicle previews a production version scheduled to arrive sometime in 2015. That's when we'll find out more about the ACR's sticker.

Conclusion

As things stand, the Viper ACR Concept is nothing but a previous-generation model updated to fifth-generation visuals. Although only a concept car as of this writing, this Viper ACR could mark the return of Dodge's track-ready sports car after a four-year absence. Now that the Viper is sold with a hefty, $15,000 rebate, we have reason to hope that a production ACR could help Dodge build on the Viper's exclusivity and move more units in the future.