The Dodge Viper is one of those American icons that answers the question of just how large an engine an automaker can cram into a production car. Sporting a displacement more appropriate for a truck than a car, the Viper quickly created a fearsome reputation. Five generations of Viper have been created, spanning 1991 to 2017, with a three-year gap from 2010 to 2013. What we've got here is a fifth-generation 2014 Dodge Viper with just 19,000 miles on the clock. Read on to discover why you should be intrigued, excited, and maybe just a little scared of it.

Exterior and Interior

After a three-year hiatus, the Viper nameplate returned on the fifth and final generation in 2013 with a complete redesign. This 2014 Dodge Viper wears a very menacing black paint job with twin red stripes down the center. Glaring projector lamps stare you down at the front, the taut side profile still bears side exit exhaust pipes, and the rear view is the one that most people will see when a Viper spears by. A kicked-up deck spoiler adds to the overall impression of speed, as do the red brake calipers peeking out from behind black Y-spoke alloy wheels. Let's head inside because that's where you want to be. Open a frameless door, climb over a wide sill, and you're in a two-seat cabin. It's very well appointed, with red leather-trimmed seats, flat-bottomed, carbon-fiber trimmed steering wheel, red SRT gear knob, climate control, and touch-screen infotainment system. Beneath the rear glass hatch lies the luggage area, which is surprisingly spacious for a car of this ilk. Furthermore, the steering wheel features multifunction controls, and there's an Alpine speaker system for when you want to cruise along in peace.

Engine

We mentioned you should be intrigued, excited, and a little scared. That's because what lies beneath the hood of this 2014 Dodge Viper is a monstrous 8.4-liter V10 engine that puts out 640 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque. Coupled with a Tremec TR-6060 six-speed manual transmission and very few driver aids, it's a very analog device. You can't just get into a Viper, rev the engine to the upper reaches, and drop the clutch, or you will face a very different direction. It demands a certain degree of mindfulness to drive it quickly, or the Viper will bite, like its namesake. Treat the Viper with respect, and it will reward you with an amazing driving experience, putting a broad smile on your face.