My two nit picks on the Gen5

[DMan]

So I'm stoked on the Gen5, but since nothing is perfect, here are my 2 'issues'

1st one is really lame, but the stripes on the SRT, yuck IMO. As much as the cost and they don't run the length of the car like they do on the GTS, I'd love to hear the logic of that - other than some "badging" technique for the guys dolling out $130+k for the GTS and having a way to tell immediately a difference. If I go Gen5, now stripes are out from the factory.

2nd, traction control. Chuck, you may not want to read this part. Two settings on the SRT, meaning no "track mode", yet it's supposed to be the track oriented car, makes no sense. I asked an engineer about it at VOI, he expained that the track mode is so agressive that it's only going to activate when the car is really out of shape to the point of going off-course. Otherwise you'd not know it's on. My point, so if the SRT is track oriented why isn't there a track mode & off if you're only having 2 settings. But why "skimp" on it at all. For most guys like me, tracking the car 4-6 times a year non-competitively, just for fun, having a track setting that will assist only if I lose control of the car and help keep my $110K car out of the wall is exactly what I want .. the only thing I want in reference to traction control. Every other car I have has traction control & all have track modes, and like part of the start up process I hit the buttons twice in all of them to run in track mode at all times. This is a real "miss" IMO for SRT. I don't want to sound bashy, but the guys spending the $130+ for a loaded GTS most likely aren't the guys throwing their car around a track every 4-6 weeks yet they get a track mode.

I know there are a dozen guys that can post contrary to my second point with opposing beliefs. But my point is, if the car MUST legally have traction control, then why wouldn't you put a track mode on the track oriented version of the car. At VOI I drove around several ACRs in the ROVAL, I'd bet more because the guys were thinking about the risk of their $100k car hitting a wall vs driving ability. Most of my trackdays are on a sportbike, I push hard there knowing worst case it's a $10-11K risk I'm taking if I dump it. A 6 figure car is something different.

 

[SADVIPER]

I didnt want to read the 2nd part

 

[kdaviper]

The base model isn't necessarily more track-oriented. The engineers even say the GTS is faster around a track than the SRT due to it's stiffer track-mode suspension.

 

[mnc2886]

I agree. The SRT stripes are awful. Also, it really does seem there are more differences than just interior trim, unlike the way SRT came off at first. Wonder how this will go. At first I did have my sights set on the base model, but everything considered, SRT is following the Porsche model well and I do want a GTS.

 

[SilveRT8]

Having a Track mode is what will make me shed more $$$ to get the GTS.
The Marketing strategy will get them another $ 20 Gs !!!

 

[klamathpro]

The "Base" model as all the Conner plant engineers refer to it as, will still be very trackable even with full on traction control. The system is so insanely well tuned that it will actually make you go faster on a track. I agree that all models should have track mode, but the testing engineers say that even full on is awesome on the track and full off is less deadly than before because the car has insane traction to begin with. All track mode is, is partial stability control and little or no traction control. Perhaps there will be an upgrade "chip" to turn on this feature through mopar later because it appears to only be software. BTW, the Base model stripes actually looked better in person. I hated it in the pics but it looks like fangs up front in person with that aggressive hood.

 

[v10viperbox]

2nd, traction control. Chuck, you may not want to read this part. Two settings on the SRT, meaning no "track mode", yet it's supposed to be the track oriented car, makes no sense. I asked an engineer about it at VOI, he expained that the track mode is so agressive that it's only going to activate when the car is really out of shape to the point of going off-course. Otherwise you'd not know it's on. My point, so if the SRT is track oriented why isn't there a track mode & off if you're only having 2 settings. But why "skimp" on it at all. For most guys like me, tracking the car 4-6 times a year non-competitively, just for fun, having a track setting that will assist only if I lose control of the car and help keep my $110K car out of the wall is exactly what I want .. the only thing I want in reference to traction control. Every other car I have has traction control & all have track modes, and like part of the start up process I hit the buttons twice in all of them to run in track mode at all times. This is a real "miss" IMO for SRT. I don't want to sound bashy, but the guys spending the $130+ for a loaded GTS most likely aren't the guys throwing their car around a track every 4-6 weeks yet they get a track mode.

Willing to bet that the "Track" mode uses the upgraded shock technologies to bring the car into line and it would not work on the car with the standard suspension. So they could give you a button that said track but it would not be comparable to the GTS version and would require a good bit of resources to tune.

 

[DMan]

I think there's some marketing mixture in the talk about the GTS. In talking to Ralph, he was clear that the SRT is for the track guy, lighter and better suited for track duty. I think this GTS faster at the track stuff has more to do with up-selling now. Generally speaking ... the 1st words are the most accurate, versus those that come once the marketing band wagon has launched.

The engineer with me did say "this isn't your fathers traction control", that even the "normal" setting is a track mode, he said if you're used to Corvettes, the normal mode is equivalent to the track/sport mode on a vette, that it's not like a street nanny system. And I take his words seriously on that. Time will tell all.

Again, I said "picking nits", these aren't show stoppers to me, but more frustrating. I guess I'll see the SRT stripes in person before a final conclusion but from 1st look I'm thinking no stripes now from SRT and I'm back to the after market on that.

 

[AbsolutHank]

I guess I'll see the SRT stripes in person before a final conclusion but from 1st look I'm thinking no stripes now from SRT and I'm back to the after market on that.

You'll save a few grand anyways Dave...of course, they won't be under the clearcoat like OEM though

 

[ViperSmith]

My only nitpick is I don't have one now

 

[MoparBoyy]

i just was in a gen 5 on a road course going faster than i am willing to bet you will drive it, the traction control came on only once, and that was so the driver showed me how it reacted. we hit some of the road course turns at 100+ faster than i would ever take in mine since i know the back end would want to come around the front.

 

[DMan]

i just was in a gen 5 on a road course going faster than i am willing to bet you will drive it, the traction control came on only once, and that was so the driver showed me how it reacted. we hit some of the road course turns at 100+ faster than i would ever take in mine since i know the back end would want to come around the front.

I wish you were right, but ask Ryan how gentle I am on course, lol, 160 is a regular number for me, and I mean that humbly. Thanks for reporting BTW, it's great info even though we're all jealous of you. Was it a GTS or SRT ? Full on or track mode? Thnx again, keep the updates comin please.

 

[DMan]

You'll save a few grand anyways Dave...of course, they won't be under the clearcoat like OEM though

True, but you know anything we save up front we eventually spend, lol.

 

[MoparBoyy]

I wish you were right, but ask Ryan how gentle I am on course, lol, 160 is a regular number for me, and I mean that humbly. Thanks for reporting BTW, it's great info even though we're all jealous of you. Was it a GTS or SRT ? Full on or track mode? Thnx again, keep the updates comin please.

The guys who drove us around were SRT test drivers, I think they might be slightly better at pushing the car to its real limits not just some yahoo out on the track trying to go fast. The cars were preproduction GTS's in normal mode, slightly better finished products vs the ones at VOI. he beat the bloody snot out of the car and the TC never even sneezed at him, So if it gets in your way, i'd prolly suggest going to a driving school

 

[klamathpro]

I think there's some marketing mixture in the talk about the GTS. In talking to Ralph, he was clear that the SRT is for the track guy, lighter and better suited for track duty. I think this GTS faster at the track stuff has more to do with up-selling now. Generally speaking ... the 1st words are the most accurate, versus those that come once the marketing band wagon has launched.

The engineer with me did say "this isn't your fathers traction control", that even the "normal" setting is a track mode, he said if you're used to Corvettes, the normal mode is equivalent to the track/sport mode on a vette, that it's not like a street nanny system. And I take his words seriously on that. Time will tell all.

Again, I said "picking nits", these aren't show stoppers to me, but more frustrating. I guess I'll see the SRT stripes in person before a final conclusion but from 1st look I'm thinking no stripes now from SRT and I'm back to the after market on that.

I would believe that to be the case if it wasn't that Graham, the lead engineer himself, and a test driver who took the GTS to 203Mph, said at a recent dinner that the GTS is indeed faster on the track due to track mode allowing you to push the car harder. In fact, track mode allows you to drive faster than everything turned off. If you are an awesome driver, you may be able to match track mode, but you'll rarely exceed it. The SRT base suspension is smack dab in the middle between the GTS sport and track mode, so the track mode suspension alone will indeed give the GTS an edge. Is it worth the extra $23K? Maybe not for the average weekend cruiser, or even a club racer. I say save the $23K and just use Hoosier R6 tires to knock off a few more seconds. If you're going for the absolute best in track with money no object, the GTS or upcoming ACR is the choice. BTW, most of the weight saving with the track pack is with the lighter wheels. You can pick up the side-winder wheels with mounted tires with one hand.

 

[MoparBoyy]

the SRT also has less sound insulation and features standard seats vs power. i'd rock a SRT with a track pack so i get the fancy rotors

 

[DMan]

the SRT also has less sound insulation and features standard seats vs power. i'd rock a SRT with a track pack so i get the fancy rotors

We think alike, this is my car ... addition of aero pkg I think. Color me happy.

 

[slysnake]

So I'm stoked on the Gen5, but since nothing is perfect, here are my 2 'issues'

And the fugly headlights.

 

[bcmarly]

Not much to pick on, though they could have been more creative with the rear diffuser. Especially since there is no exhaust piping to contend with.