DODGE is far from lacking in sporting ambition, as found on his test of the SRT-10.

A highlight of my latest test track day has to be the Car Formerly Known as the Viper - aka the Dodge SRT-10, flagship model of the range. SRT stands for Street and Racing Technology, a moniker applied to performance versions across the Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep groups.

After the success of the Viper worldwide following its 1992 launch, it was felt that after more than 10 years the model range needed a makeover for the new century. As a result a facelifted model duly made its appearance in 2003.

On exterior looks alone, with its louvred bonnet, gigantic side vents and power bulges along its rear flank, it is a beautiful machine and, in my opinion, is a vast visual improvement over the original model.

With more than 500bhp at its disposal the sprint to 62mph is concluded in ‘less than four seconds’ - and, although it is possible to get about 20 miles per gallon from the SRT-10 if driven gently – with a combined urban cycle of eight miles per gallon, it would not surprise me that foot-heavy customers keen to wring all the power out of this awesome beast might even stray into gallons-per-mile territory.

But all this power comes at a price: it is unadulterated, tamed only by a traction and stability control system unique to each driver. In other words, your right foot.

However, I was enjoying the experience and slipped the raging behemoth onto the oval track at Millford, pouring the power on in increments until I settled at about 125mph.

It may not seem that quick with a potential 190mph on tap - but slung low down in a car which can still produce masses of wheelspin at that speed (or indeed in any gear) it was always at the back of my mind that the rear end of this mastodon might well want to get to the finish line before the front end did, especially on a wet track cowering under the sodden elements.

Sadly, only a handful of these motors will be crossing the Atlantic for these shores and they are left-hand drive only. Still, never mind all that.

Even heroes have feet of clay, and if you can put up with its unremarkable shoe-box interior and the cliff-hanger performance levels of this American roadgoing missile – and have the necessarily vast bank balance – it’s worth fighting to get hold of one, especially as its rarity value would make your average Porsche or Aston Martin seem commonplace.

FACTFILE

Dodge SRT-10

PRICE: £69,990 - on the road

INSURANCE GROUP: 20

PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph – 3.8s/Max Speed 190mph

FUEL CONSUMPTION: Combined 13.4mpg

STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, ABS

DEALER DETAILS: Whitehouse Maidstone, 1-17 The Broadway; 0845 850 7988