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Two goals drove the 2003 Dodge Viper to its numerical bragging rights of 500 horsepower, 500 pounds-feet of torque and 505 cubic inches of engine displacement: 1.) Getting to 100 mph as fast as possible. And then 2.) getting back down to 0 mph even faster.

The previous Dodge Viper made the round trip in 14.5 seconds. The new one should do it in 13.2 seconds.

Improvements to the low-volume sportscar didn't stop there: The new Viper is more aerodynamic, more refined, quieter, quicker, and better handling than the original, which went on sale in December 1991. It even has a cupholder. But the Viper has not been transformed into a sissy: Dodge says it tuned this car for the guy who likes to rip huge pieces of pavement out as he goes around a corner. It still makes the raunchy noises that side-exhaust Vipers did from 1991 to 1996.

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2003 Dodge Viper is available as one model, the SRT-10 roadster. (A coupe is expected by 2005.) The SRT-10 comes with a manual top with a glass backlight (rear window), a six-speed manual transmission, anti-lock brakes, a viscous limited-slip differential, power windows and mirrors, intermittent wipers, and leather seating surfaces. Also included is an alarm with remote locks.

The only engine available is a 500-horsepower 8.3-liter V10.