Viper was an action-adventure TV series about a special task force set up by the federal government to fight crime in the fictional city of Metro City, California. The weapon used by this task force is an assault vehicle that masquerades as a Dodge Viper RT/10 roadster and coupe (later, the ViperGTS replaced the RT/10). The series takes place in, "the near future", most likely after the year 2000. The show's villains were often driving Dodge vehicles.

The Viper Defender "star car" was designed by Chrysler Corporation engineers (unlike most Hollywood Film/TV cars that are usually customized by film picture designers like George Barris). The exterior design of the car was produced by Chrysler stylist Steve Ferrerio.

A revival of the 1993-1994 series about a crime fighter in a morphing Dodge Viper which converts to a super equipped vehicle known as the Defender used to turn the odds around against a super crime organization. The main character (driver of the Defender) is now Thomas Cole. Written by Jim Brawn

In the near future, an organized crime group known as the "Outfit" has become a major force in America. Engineer Julian Wilkes develops a high-tech crime-fighting vehicle called the Viper, which is intended to be a "flagship" in a new crackdown on crime. The Viper needs a driver, so when Outfit driver Michael Payton is injured and captured, his memory is erased, and he is given a new identity as Joe Astor, MetroPol employee. The Outfit discredits the Viper project, but when it is canceled, Joe and Julian steal the Viper and strike out on their own private war against crime. Written by Marg Baskin