It’s hard to believe but the Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR (American Club Racer) has been on sale for almost two years now, during which time it has managed to set new records at a number of high profile race tracks around the world including the Nurburgring and Laguna Seca circuits.

For anyone living under a rock for the past two years, the Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR remains the ultimate purpose-built, street-legal track car since its introduction in early 2008. However, for 2010, the car is being updated to make it perform even better at the track.

New for the 2010 model year is a shorter fifth gear ratio (changing from 0.74 to 0.80) for improved high-speed acceleration and higher straightaway speeds. This improvement is a direct result of SRT’s experience at the Nurburgring, where during the lap-record run in 2008 it was found that a revised gear ratio would have resulted in a higher speed capability and potentially a shorter elapsed time.

The vehicle also gets a new short-throw shifter in 2010 for enhanced driver experience and better performance. Furthermore, the rear wing profile and end plates are redesigned to further optimize the vehicle aerodynamics and improve rear yaw downforce. These changes result in an increase in top speed of 4 mph (to 184 mph).

The powertrain remains unchanged, but with 600 horsepower and 560 pound-feet of torque spewing from its 8.4-liters of displacement, we’re not complaining. This is enough to guarantee a 0-60 mph acceleration time of less than 4 seconds, a quarter-mile time in the mid 11-second range and a 0-100-0 mph time in 11 seconds flat.

The 2010 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR will make its world debut at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show next week.

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