Don't make any mistake about the fact that the 2009 Dodge Viper comes stock with V10 engine that blasts out 600 whopping horsepower. It amazingly still delivers an estimated 13/22 mpg city/highway. It is the only non-AWD production vehicle in the Unites States that does. Tony Stewart's NASCAR only outdoes the Viper by 250hp.

Push the clutch in after you turn the key to the start position, press your thumb on the bright red Start button and this monster will roar to life for you. It bellows from its exhaust pipes like a dragon and stands ready to run for you like a whipped ape. If you happen to be one of the incredibly-fortunate people who will be driving one of these jets, then you better be very conscious of what you command the 2009 Viper to do. It is made to serve you, and it will listen to anything you tell it to do - no matter how misguided it may be. Inexperienced drivers need to stand back. These snakes can kill you.

That being said, the Viper is also quite capable of being driven in a casual manner around town as well. Just because you can go literally airborne doesn't mean that you have to. The MSRP for the 2009 Viper by Dodge is $86,140. In comparison, class competitors like the Chevrolet Corvette, Cadillac XLR and the Audi S4 cost $53,220, $85,360 and $57,125 respectively. Also by comparison, their hp ratings are at 430, 320 and 330 respectively.

The Dodge Viper is called a "racecar with mufflers, AC and plates" by the manufacturer. Indeed, it is one of the few cars on the planet to exhibit such fierceness and raw power. Even the Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera and the Ferrari F430 Scuderia do not come even within 95hp of the Viper.

Using the 2009 Viper for common car tasks is the equivalent of using a bazooka to shoot a mouse. These cars can not only pin you to you seat, they actually have the power to push you clean through it. You facial skin will actually stretch when flying around a hairpin corner. For 2009, the Viper features a stronger gearbox, a redesigned shifter, and a super-tweaked clutch assembly. The navigational-based satellite radio that is usually such a cool feature in other autos goes almost unnoticed here.

The Viper is available as either a Roadster or a Coupe for 2009. Soon, there will be an ACR model, specifically intended for track use (yeah right), released that will come with a governmental gas-guzzling tax added. Leather seats, power-adjust pedals, crazy instrumentation, anti-slip differential and even an emergency flat tire repair kit are all standard features.

The Viper is constructed from composite materials and is an aggressive vision of perfection from any angle viewed. Function and style are the standards. Aerodynamic design standards are, of course, easily given. If you see a 2009 Dodge Viper turn towards you - just step aside and keep your eyes on it (like you could help it). You never know what kind of nut might be behind the wheel. There is no other car in the world like a Dodge Viper - not anywhere.