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August 18, 2001 -- Dodge unveiled the new Viper Competition Coupe at Monterey Historic Auto Races, held at the Laguna Secca Raceway.

With a coupe-shaped composite body based largely on the Dodge Viper GTS/R concept car shown at the 2000 North American International Auto Show, and a track-ready chassis based on the new 2003
Dodge Viper RT-10 convertible, the Competition Coupe makes extensive use of production pieces to keep the estimated retail price under $100,000.

The stock 505-cubic-inch 2003 Dodge Viper RT-10 engine
delivers well over 500 horsepower and 500 lb.-ft. of torque. A full complement of racing enhancements, including cage, window net, fire suppression system, six-point restraints, racing slicks, differential
cooler and ducted brakes ensure that the Dodge Viper Competition Coupe is track-ready as delivered. The Dodge Viper Competition Coupe cannot be titled for highway use.

The Viper Competition Coupe's sleek concept car shape retains the 2003 RT-10 Convertible's windshield, and as a result, affords the driver two inches of additional headroom as compared to the GTS/R
concept car.

"The idea for a next-generation racing version came from the Viper owner body about 18 months ago," says John Fernandez, director of DaimlerChrysler Performance Vehicle Operations. "A large proportion
of owners enjoy racing their cars in organized competition.

"At the same time, DaimlerChrysler has received inquiries from major motorsports sanctioning bodies looking for Dodge Viper participation," added Fernandez. "Based on the input we're receiving, there
appears to be real demand for a factory race car."

Dodge officials expect to build 25 cars in the first production year, but say they can expand production as demand grows. Plans include technical support for competitors at all major events. Parts may also be offered
through DaimlerChrysler's Mopar Performance Parts division and available through dealerships nationwide.

Among events in which the Dodge Viper Competition Coupe would be eligible to compete are:

• Skip Thomas Viper Racing League - The Viper Competition Coupe will have its own class and be the primary wheel-to-wheel event at the Viper Days weekends.
  
• Grand American Cup - The Viper Competition Coupe is eligible to compete in the Grand Sports Class with the Chevrolet Corvette and Porsche 911.
  
• Speedvision World Challenge – The Viper Competition Coupe is eligible to compete in these American Le Mans Series support races.
  

The Competition Coupe's predecessor - called the Dodge Viper GTS-R and based on the 1996 Dodge Viper GTS Coupe - passes on one of the most distinguished pedigrees in the modern history of endurance
racing.

The Viper GTS-R earned five international GT championships including the 1999 and 2000 American Le Mans Series GTS class titles and the 1997-1999 FIA GT Championships. The Viper finished
1-2 in the GTS class in three consecutive years - 1998 to 2000 - and notched an amazing overall win at the 2000 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, the first for an American production-based car.

The Dodge Viper race car began life in the GT1 class in 1996. The escalating costs persuaded the manufacturer to switch to the GT2 class for the 1997 season. The Viper's production volumes (approximately
2,000 annually) qualified it for the category and it embarked on a racing program that was to earn it a reputation as the most successful American production-based racing car of all time.

As Dodge began to focus more of its engineering resources on development of the next Viper – the 2003 RT-10 – it was announced in December 2000 that the Dodge would take a hiatus from its factory
support for Viper endurance racing.

There are no plans at this time to homologate the Dodge Viper Competition Coupe for American Le Mans Series or 24 Hours of Le Mans racing.

Dodge Viper Competition Coupe performance estimates:

• 0-60 mph acceleration: 3.8 sec.
  
• 0-100 mph acceleration: 9.2 sec.
  
• 0-1/4-mile acceleration: 11.8 sec. @ 123 mph
  
• Top speed: 192 mph
  
• 60-0 braking: 90 ft.
  
• 100-0 braking: 260 ft.
  
• Lateral acceleration: 1.25g