The five-spoke, forged-aluminum "Rattler" wheel design on the 2013 Viper model is available with fully polished (standard), fully painted Hyper Black, or fully painted low-gloss black finishes.

The Viper GTS has a split six-spoke forged-aluminum "Venom" wheel design with three available finishes, including polished face with graphite-painted pockets (standard), fully painted Hyper Black, or fully painted low-gloss black.

Available SRT Track Package wheels are ultra-lightweight, track-ready wheels in Hyper Black or matte black finishes.

While retaining many signature elements, especially its sinister looks, the Viper has definitely matured. No longer rude and crude, it now benefits from a suite of technologies that some might consider a watering down of the original recipe.

But times change, and no more so than in this era of increased regulations. While the electronic babysitters may be anathema to some die-hard Viper loyalists, their on-board presence is a small price to pay to have a fifth-generation Viper on the horizon.

As enthusiasts wait for the first models to arrive in SRT-authorized Dodge showrooms before the end of the year, one question is sure to be uppermost in their minds: Do we now have an American-built roadster that can go head-to-head against all comers, especially Porsche's all-new 911 and the next-generation Corvette expected soon?

Count me among those who just can't wait for that three-way showdown!