Hot Wheels 2006 Dodge Viper SRT-10 Coupe

Hot Wheels has not been the kindest to the Viper:  The RT/10 roadster seems toonish for the body, the GTS coupe close but at least a bit nicer than the roadster, the GTS-R Concept in 2001 was good, but grew somewhat dated over time.  The 2013 SRT Viper offered a pleasing view of the Viper long overdue for Hot Wheels.  The 2006 SRT-10 came close to this before, so let's take a look at a few.

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New roadster, last-minute Coupe addition

In 2003 a new Viper was introduced, the SRT-10 Roadster with a traditional roadster look over the previous targa look with it's own top.  Some complained that it looked too muck like the Corvette, but at least it cleaned up some rough spots of the RT/10.  The styling carried over, but with a more aggressive look with larger headlights, vented hood gills, side scoop (now with integrated front fenders), and the traditional side exhaust.  The interior is redesigned with the auxiliary gauges aligned to the right vertically to the steering wheel.  The cockpit is more user-friendly than before, but still crude and showing cheap plastics as well.  The engine still is the same-old all-aluminum V-10 from the previous generation with it's red valve covers, but now flanked by a large dual intake runners connected to the airbox at the front, fed by the front hood scoop.  The hood now opens forward.  8.3L now produces 500 hp. and 525 Ib-ft. of torque through a six-speed manual and to wider rear tires.  In 2006 the SRT-10 coupe arrived, looking like a last minute addition as the only change was the adaptation of the bubble roof and rear spoiler from the previous-generation GTS coupe.  In 2008 the Viper got more power enhancements, and in 2009 the SRT-10 ACR arrived.

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The ACR, in it's second incarnation, sported aggressive front and rear spoilers, tires that are designed for the track but are still street-legal, and even a Hardcore edition stripping the car of a spare tire, AC, radio, hood and trunk padding, and subwoofer.  The V-10 is the same, but now produces 600 hp. and 560 Ib-ft. torque through the same 6-speed manual.  The suspension is modified for serious track work, and the lighter weight allowed the ACR to be quicker than the stock SRT-10.

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SRT-10 Coupe

Alright, now for the casting.  First debut in 2006 the coupe came in blue with white stripes, orange with silver stripes, or black with white stripes.  All have SRT-10 on the sides and at the rear bumper.  The 5-spoke wheels are sharp, and have the added bonus of Faster Than Ever wheels that year.  The front is aggressive and nicely-done, as is the sides, but it's at the rear that things do downhill as the taillights and plate should be deeper in the panel behind the spoiler, but they're not!  It looks odd, not to mention the rear plate area has variations with and without the keyhole.  The base is nice and smooth with rear diffuser; earlier examples had the Hot Wheels logo as part of the interior, changed later on.  The interior is at least there, but is weak on details and the steering wheel is way to small.

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In 2007 the Viper arrived in the Hot Wheels classics with a metal base and racing number on the doors, along with a metallic blue paint, but is otherwise unchanged from the 2006 version. Oh, and check out those cool redline tires.  The newest version from the 2014 Mystery Baggies is the red with black stripes and black headlight lenses that reminds me of the RT/10 and GTS examples from the pre-Mattel Matchbox era in the 1990's.  This is also the first one wearing the new fad of blacked-out rims.

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ACR

In 2009 another Viper arrives, this time the ACR.  The stance is correct as it's nice and low with the correct spoilers, larger hood vents, and cool black or red color and stripe contrast.  Still, as nice as this one is, it still has the flush rear end details and interior issues like the SRT-10 coupe.  A few details to point out is the front wing flaps on the bumper, the painted side exhaust, and the use of a rivet at the rear instead of the plate tab of the coupe, giving the ACR a much more secure and stable assembly.

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While i'm not a big fan of this car for the disappointing rear-end and interior details, it still won't stop me from getting variations like these that are close to the real 1:1 vehicle.

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