What is the top speed of a 1991 Dodge Viper?

There was no 1991 Dodge Viper; the Viper’s first production model arrived in 1992 as the RT/10, and its original top speed is commonly cited around 165 mph (266 km/h).

Context: the Viper timeline and what “1991” refers to

The Dodge Viper program began in the late 1980s and progressed from concept to production across the early 1990s. The first production Viper was the RT/10, released for the 1992 model year. Consequently, there is no official factory top-speed figure for a 1991 Viper. What follows are the commonly cited speeds for the Viper’s early generations and how they evolved over time.

Top speed in the early Viper generations

Below is a snapshot of the widely reported top speeds for the Viper’s initial generation and its immediate updates. This helps illustrate the performance progression around the 1992–1999 window.

• 1992–1995 Dodge Viper RT/10: approximately 165 mph (266 km/h).


• 1996–1999 Dodge Viper GTS: approximately 187 mph (301 km/h), with enhanced power and aerodynamics.

Note that actual top speed can vary with tires, gearing, aerodynamic setup, and environmental conditions. Manufacturer figures and independent tests sometimes show slight differences, but these two benchmarks are well established for the era.

Notes on measurement, variants, and context

Top speed is influenced by final-drive ratios, tire design, and aero refinements. The RT/10 used earlier gearing that capped speed around 165 mph, while the later GTS introduced updates that pushed the ceiling toward the high 180s mph. Some tests also report minor variations depending on the specific vehicle configuration and testing methodology.

Summary

In summary, there is no 1991 Dodge Viper. The original 1992 RT/10 topped out around 165 mph, and the subsequent 1996–1999 Viper GTS could reach about 187 mph. If you’re researching a particular chassis or package, exact numbers can vary slightly, but the 165 mph and 187 mph figures are the standard references for the era.

What was the fastest sedan in 1991?

Dodge Spirit R/T
The Dodge Spirit R/T is a Performance Icon
The Spirit R/T's powertrain packed a 224-horsepower, 2.2-liter, 16-valve DOHC turbocharged four-cylinder engine under the hood. That was good for a zero-to-60 time of under six seconds and a top speed of 142 mph.

How much horsepower does a 1991 Dodge Viper have?

400 horsepower
Co- developed by Chrysler and Lamborghini, the Viper made its debut with a massive 8.0-liter V10 engine producing 400 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque, launching it from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds.

What is the top speed of a Dodge Viper?

The top speed of a Dodge Viper varies significantly by model year, ranging from 165 mph for the first generation to over 200 mph for later models. For example, the final generation (Gen 5) reached a top speed of 206 mph, while the SRT-10 model could reach 189.5 mph.
 
This video shows a drag race between a V10 Dodge Viper and a V8 Challenger: 58scarwowYouTube · Dec 11, 2024

• First Generation (1991-1995): 165 mph
• Second Generation (1996-2002): 180 mph
• Third Generation (2003-2007 SRT-10): 189.5 mph
• Fifth Generation (2013-2017): 206 mph 

You can watch this video to see a rendering of the 2026 Dodge Viper: 59sAutoTrend YouTube · Jul 5, 2025

Is Viper faster than Corvette?

It depends on the specific models, but a newer performance-oriented Corvette (like a C7 ZR1 or C8) can be faster than a comparable or even some older, higher-performance Dodge Vipers. However, Vipers generally have a history of being faster due to their larger engines and raw power, especially older models or Vipers with track-focused trims compared to older Vettes. Newer, higher-end Corvettes are often quicker in a straight line and around a track. 
Performance comparisons 
This video shows a drag race between an older Dodge Viper and a newer C8 Corvette: 1mitsjusta6YouTube · May 3, 2020

• Older Viper vs. older Corvette: An older Viper will often be faster than an older or base model Corvette due to its massive engine and high torque. 
• Newer performance Corvette vs. older Viper: Modern, high-performance Corvettes, like the C7 ZR1, often outperform older Vipers in handling, interior quality, and acceleration. 
• Newer performance Corvette vs. newer Viper: A newer, high-performance Corvette can be faster than a newer Viper, but the performance is often model-dependent. 
• Raw power vs. driver-friendly experience: Vipers are known for their raw, powerful, and more difficult-to-drive experience, while Corvettes are often more refined and easier to drive hard, even in their high-performance versions. 
• Specific examples:
  • A 2017 Dodge Viper had a quarter-mile time of around 11.5 seconds, while a 2017 Corvette Stingray was around 12.2 seconds. 
  • In a drag race between a 2006 Dodge Viper SRT-10 and a 2020 C8 Corvette, the Corvette was slightly faster off the line, though the Viper was still very quick. 

This video shows a drag race between an old Viper and a C8 Corvette: 56sThe Fast Lane CarYouTube · Aug 31, 2025