22 Highway; 13 City... Hmmm... [PIC]

This EPA mpg rating seems awfully optimistic for the 1991 first generation V10 Dodge Viper. Was that just enough to avoid the gas guzzler tax? Conceived in 1998 by the boys at Chrysler's Advanced Design Studios  to be the new Cobra, and presented President Bob Lutz with a clay mockup. He approved and it was sent to Metalcrafters to put it in sheet metal to be shown at that year's auto show. Buoyed by an enthusiastic reception, they went to Lamborghini to produce a prototype V10 engine block. Chairman Lee Iacocca was hesitant to commit the $70 million to put the car into production but finally acquiesced in 1989. Who better to promote the was Carroll Shelby who drove the first production car at the Indy 500 in 1991, and the Viper was ready for sale by the end of the year at $52,000 a pop. Over the years the original 400hp 8.0 liter V10 was increased in displacement and horsepower to become a real monster.