The Dodge Viper is a two-seat sports car that will come in five trim levels

Dodge was briefly owned by a banking firm and subsequently sold by its new owner to the Chrysler Corporation in 1928. Additionally, the Charger could pack one heck of a wallop underneath the hood. That decade also saw the launch of among Dodge's most iconic vehicles, the Charger. From there, the brand slowly evolved in to the division in charge of trucks and performance-oriented cars. Dodge's muscle car was on the basis of the Coronet platform, and featured a fastback roof line, hidden headlamps and a full-width taillamp panel. Post WWII, Dodge introduced vehicles such as the military-inspired Power Wagon truck, Hemi-powered Coronet and the Royal Lancer; additionally, the maker began offering dealer-installed air-conditioning. Vehicles like the Dodge Dart and the Coronet kept the maker in American driveways throughout the 1960s. The company also introduced a Mustang-fighting pony car, called the Challenger, in 1970. A 318-cubic-inch V8 was standard, but buyers seeking maximum brawn could upgrade to a 426-cubic-inch, 425-hp Hemi V8. EPA estimated fuel economy for the 2017 Dodge Viper is 14 mpg combined (12 city/19 highway), which is poor, even with this class of high-performance cars. During our yearlong test of a Dodge Viper GT, we found so it can easily clear its city/highway estimates if you use a light foot, but if you can't resist the urge to interact the loud pedal, you'll easily get single-digit mileage. Power is delivered to the trunk wheels via a six-speed manual, that is the only available transmission. The Dodge Viper is powered by an 8.4-liter V10 that creates 645 hp and 600 pound-feet of torque. At the Edmunds test track, a Viper GT went from zero to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds. In the test track, in a simulated-panic stop, the Viper went from 60 mph to a whole stop in 103 feet. The typical safety features for many 2017 Vipers include antilock brakes, stability control, side-door-mounted airbags, and a rearview camera. That's a few feet more than other ultra-high-performance coupes but nonetheless far shorter than the typical sports car. Lateral space is also at reduced since the wide transmission tunnel keeps things very tight. One bright spot is the Uconnect infotainment interface, which can be among the better systems readily available for ease of use and responsiveness. The Viper's cabin is cramped, so taller occupants could have fitment problems. Inside, the interior has several soft-touch surfaces and quality materials through the cabin, but similarly priced competitors do much better. Drivers and passengers that decide on shorts or a dress must be cautious too, whilst the Viper's side exhaust pipes get extremely hot, and stepping over them is required to get out of the car. Essentially, the Viper's pricing puts it against some seriously upscale sports cars, and the inner doesn't reflect that. The business was saved from extinction in the early '80s because of government loans and the sales success of its Omni and Aries economy cars (the former an attempted copy of the VW Rabbit). Just like other American auto manufacturers, Dodge's fortunes started to slide in the '70s due to changing tastes and increased competition. Suitable for families and in a position to seat up to seven, the space-efficient Caravan started a complete new vehicle segment -- the minivan. But 1984 was when Dodge made its mark in the annals books with the introduction of the wildly popular Caravan. Side visibility is compromised by wide roof pillars. The usable space is really restricted to a slender well behind an enormous hump. Our best advice is to pack light. In the passenger compartment, storage can also be light, with a few small pockets and bins. Visibility is restricted, with the mixture of a really low roof line and a high beltline that makes you're feeling like you're peeking through a mail slot to see out from the car. On paper, the 14.7 cubic-foot trunk capacity is generous, but that's only when you pile your cargo to the roof. Looking back isn't easy either, and the tiny hatch forces heavy reliance on the rearview camera. But make no mistake; Dodge remains considered Chrysler's performance division as a result of cars just like the Challenger and Charger. Time will tell how successful Dodge's latest makeover is. More recent years have experienced Dodge concentrate on the more practical vehicles in its lineup, making notable improvements to the performance and overall quality of its midsize Avenger sedan and Journey SUV entries. Dodge also spun off its truck line, making it another Ram brand. Their first vehicle was a touring car that proved an easy favorite with car buyers; it was soon joined by a roadster and a four-door sedan. Dodge cars and trucks were used as staff vehicles and ambulances in World War I. The Dodge is among America's most storied automotive brands, Dodge 's been around since the first days of the auto industry. Two brothers, Horace and John Dodge, began the Dodge Brothers Motor Vehicle company in 1914, after having worked as manufacturers of bicycles and automotive parts. By 1917, the company's model line had grown to incorporate trucks. In the past number of decades, it's revitalized itself to be a producer of aggressively styled and performance-oriented vehicles.