One thing the Viper doesn't lack for is interior room for two tall Americans and a little bit of stuff or luggage. On the convertible, there is a great deal more headroom than on the last folding-top Viper. The top goes up or down with one hand and latches easily. The 2006 Viper is almost a foot wider on the outside than the 2006 Corvette, but not all of that width translates into additional occupant space. It's not easy to get in or out of a Viper (or a Corvette, for that matter) with any grace, but once inside, there's plenty of comfort and lots to see.

The form-fitting tall bucket seats will hold your upper body in the corners very well, and the seat will bump up against the rear wall when extended all the way back, and that's it. No more rear travel or recline. If you're very tall, you'll be more comfortable in the convertible. The floor pedals can be power-adjusted by a dashboard button through four inches of reach, a big improvement over the old manually adjustable pedals.

The new instruments and controls are canted to the left in the new car, toward the driver, and you can see all the faces in one quick left-to-right sweep of the eyes. The large tachometer sits directly in front of the driver, to its right a smaller 220-mph speedometer (but 190 is more like it). All of the switches and vents are easier to see and reach.

The throttle, brake and clutch pedals are closely spaced for heel-and-toe downshifting. A new feature is the dead pedal for your left foot, good for bracing in the corners at the race track or on your favorite country road. A returning feature is the use of acres of cheap plastic on the interior.

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