Is a Dodge Viper a V8 or a V10?

The Dodge Viper is a V10 engine vehicle, not a V8. From its inception in the early 1990s, the Viper has relied on a large-displacement V10 that evolved from 8.0 liters up to 8.4 liters, delivering raw, high-torque performance in a purpose-built American sports car.

Engine configuration across the Viper’s lifetime

The Viper’s defining feature is its ten-cylinder engine. Below is a concise timeline of how the engine evolved across generations.

• Gen I (1992–1995): 8.0-liter V10 powering the original RT/10 and early Viper models.


• Gen II (1996–2002): continued 8.0-liter V10 with refinements and new trim levels.


• Gen III (2003–2009): 8.3–8.4-liter V10 introduced with the SRT-10 variant and performance upgrades.


• Gen IV (2010–2017): 8.4-liter V10 carried through to the final Viper models, delivering higher output and modernized features.

Across its production life, the Viper never used a V8; the brand stayed committed to a large displacement V10 that formed the core of its performance character.

Technical snapshot of the Viper V10

The engine is a large-displacement, naturally aspirated V10 designed for high-revving, torque-rich performance. It’s known for its pushrod architecture and straightforward, robust hardware that emphasizes low-end throttle response and raw straight-line speed rather than high-rpm efficiency. The 8.0–8.4 liter range and the car’s drivetrain configuration underpin the Viper’s characteristic sound and feel.

Current status and future prospects

As of the mid-2020s, Dodge has not produced a new Viper since the model was discontinued in 2017. There have been sporadic rumors about revivals or electrified successors, but no official, mass-produced Viper has returned to the market. The Viper remains a symbol of Dodge’s performance heritage.

Summary

Bottom line: the Dodge Viper is a V10, not a V8. Its defining feature is a large, naturally aspirated V10 that evolved in displacement over four generations, while maintaining a focused, driver-centric experience.

Summary: The Viper’s engine history reflects a commitment to high-displacement, V10 power that defined the model’s character for decades and contributed to its enduring status among American sports cars.

What Dodge had a V10 engine?

The main Dodge vehicle with a V10 engine is the Dodge Viper, a high-performance sports car. Additionally, the Dodge Ram SRT-10 was a pickup truck version of the V10-powered vehicle. The V10 was also used in some specialized Challenger Drag Pak models and concept vehicles like the Dodge Tomahawk motorcycle. 
You can watch this video to see a drag race between a Dodge Viper and a Dodge Challenger: 1mcarwowYouTube · Dec 11, 2024

• Dodge Viper: This iconic sports car is the most famous Dodge V10. It came with an 8.0L or 8.3L V10 engine, depending on the model and year. 
• Dodge Ram SRT-10: This performance pickup truck featured a 500-horsepower 8.3L V10 engine, adapted from the Viper. 
• Challenger Drag Pak: Some limited-production drag racing versions of the Dodge Challenger were equipped with a V10 engine, though these were often sold as "rollers" without a full drivetrain. 
• Dodge Tomahawk: This was a concept vehicle with two front wheels, powered by a V10 engine from the Dodge Viper. 

Are vipers V8 or V10?

V10
The Viper engine is a high-performance naturally-aspirated pushrod 2 valve-per-cylinder 90° V10 engine designed by Chrysler but with aluminum block castings designed by Lamborghini for use in the Dodge Viper. Despite its large displacement, it is based on the Chrysler LA V8.

Is there a V12 Viper?

No, the production Dodge Viper has never been made with a V12 engine; it exclusively used a V10. However, there is speculation and rumors about a future V12 version, possibly a limited-edition "Mamba" model, that could be a hybrid and is expected to be released around 2026. 
You can watch this video to learn more about the rumored 2026 Dodge Viper V12: 47sAutoTrend YouTube · Jul 5, 2025
History of the Viper engine

• The Dodge Viper has always been powered by a V10 engine. 
• The V10 engine was developed by Chrysler but had aluminum castings designed by Lamborghini. 
• The last generation of the Viper ended production in 2017. 

Future V12 Viper speculation

• There are rumors and speculation about a future Viper that could include a V12 engine. 
• One potential version is a limited-edition "Mamba" model that is expected to be a hybrid and a high-performance supercar. 
• This V12 model is speculated to be released in 2026. 
• The V12 engine is rumored to be a hybrid system, with an estimated combined output of around 1,0001 comma 0001,000 horsepower. 

This video discusses the rumors about a V12 Mamba edition of the Viper: 58sTK's GarageYouTube · Apr 27, 2025

Is a V10 faster than a V8?

A V10 is generally faster than a V8 because it has more cylinders, which typically produces more power and torque. However, performance depends more on the specific design, tuning, and application of the engine than just the cylinder count. A high-performance V8 can be faster than a poorly designed V10, and vice-versa. 
You can watch this video to see a drag race between a V10 and a V8: 50scarwowYouTube · Dec 11, 2024
V10 advantages

• More power: With two extra cylinders, a V10 engine typically generates more horsepower and torque, leading to higher performance figures. 
• Smoother operation: The firing pulses from the extra cylinders can result in a smoother, more refined engine operation compared to a V8. 

This video explains the differences between V8 and V10 engines: 19sThe Engine HubYouTube · Mar 25, 2024
V8 advantages

• Simpler and lighter: V8s have fewer moving parts and are generally lighter than V10s, which can be beneficial for weight distribution in sports car applications. 
• Lower cost: V8 engines are often less expensive to produce and maintain. 

Factors that determine speed

• Engine design: A high-revving V8 can outperform a low-revving V10, depending on the engine's specific tuning, like its stroke length, bore, and head flow. 
• Vehicle weight: A heavier car with a V10 might not be faster than a lighter car with a high-performance V8 due to differences in overall vehicle dynamics. 
• Forced induction: A turbocharged V8 can often be faster than a naturally aspirated V10, depending on the size of the turbocharger and its boost pressure.