Viper

Metro City is under constant siege by organized crime and high-tech criminals, so the federal government creates a specialized task force to respond to the chaos. The team's secret weapon is the Viper Defender, an armored, gadget-laden vehicle that looks like a Dodge Viper RT/10 roadster and a coupe, fitted for pursuit and combat in a near-future setting. Episodes focus on the pilots and support crew, including Michael Payton, Cameron Westlake, Frankie Waters, and Sherman Catlett, as they handle heists, criminal empires, and escalating threats while trying to keep civilian life from collapsing around them.

Released in 1994, Viper was created by Danny Bilson and Paul De Meo. The Viper Defender was engineered by Chrysler Corporation staff, with exterior styling credited to Chrysler designer Steve Ferrerio, and the series prominently featured Chrysler and its subsidiaries' vehicles.

The armored Viper became the show's most memorable element, earning recognition among 1990s TV car fans and vehicle-enthusiast communities. Its blend of a sports car image with police hardware stood out in the era of gadget-heavy action shows and kept the series visible in discussions about iconic television cars.

Critical reaction was mixed, reflected in a modest audience score of 6.1 out of 10 from 49 votes. Reviewers tended to praise the action set pieces and the star car, while pointing out formulaic plots and uneven writing. Recurring themes include the use of advanced technology in law enforcement, team loyalty under pressure, and the moral costs of militarized crime fighting, often delivered through brisk, action-focused episodes.

The series did not earn major industry awards or high-profile nominations, but it developed a niche following among viewers who liked vehicle-centered action and 90s genre TV. Over time it’s been remembered more for its concept and the Viper Defender than for mainstream accolades.