Dodge Charger

There have been a number of vehicles bearing the Charger nameplate, but the name has generally denoted a performance model in the Dodge range. The current Chargers are rear wheel drive sedans.

1999 Concept

In 1999, Dodge came out with a new Charger R/T concept car. It took many styling cues from the 1960s Chargers (most notably the second generation) but also had four doors. The designers attempted to blend the rear doors into the design so they would not be noticed very easily. Compressed natural gas was purported as being in the lineup for a possible fuel source.

1999 Dodge Charger R/T concept - Rear

The concept Charger R/T, while sharing the long nose and rearward cab of the original, was a good deal shorter. It was 187 in in overall length compared to 203 in for the 1966 Charger. It was also lighter; 3,000 lb versus 3,650 lb.

While making an important statement for CNG technology, the Charger R/T was equally appealing to the design community. It had functional side scoops, as does the Dodge Viper, and the chrome plated, central mounted exhaust was somewhat reminiscent of the Viper. It even has functional air exhausters sculpted into its rear fascia.

The Charger R/T was equally important for what it said about CNG technology. The concept car showcased a new storage tank system that one day might deliver 300 miles range in a CNG-powered passenger car and not compromise storage space in the trunk.

The cylinders, or pressure cells, inside the fiberglass storage tank were lined with a gas-impermeable high density polyurethane (HDPE) thermoplastic and wrapped in a hybrid mix of high-strength carbon and super-tough glass filaments that were wound with an epoxy resin. Finally, the cylinders were laid into a foam eggcrate to absorb impacts. It was strong for its weight, resistant to environmental damage, reliable and durable. The tank can be made flat, in the shape of a conventional gasoline tank, yet the fuel can still be stored at 3,600 lb³ of pressure.

(late)2005-present

In February 2005, Dodge introduced a new full-sized rear wheel drive Charger on the Chrysler LX platform also used by the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum (the interior of the Charger is almost identical to that of the Magnum). Also, it replaced the Dodge Intrepid. This Charger is a four-door sedan, disappointing some fans of the previous two-door Chargers. It is built in Brampton, Ontario, Canada.

The base engine (for the Charger SE and SXT) is Chrysler's 3.5 L V6 which produces 250 hp (186 kW) and 250 ft·lbf (339 N·m) of torque. This version of the car sells for US$22,995.

The Hemi R/T version uses the 5.7 L Hemi V8 and sells for US$29,995. This engine produces 340 hp (254 kW) and 390 ft·lbf (475 N·m) of torque. 65% of Charger buyers are opting for the Hemi-powered R/T model with an average sale price of $32,722.

Police version

2006 Dodge Charger, police version

In early 2006, DaimlerChrysler relased a new police version of the Dodge Charger. It made its debut at the 2005 New York International Auto Show.

Unlike the civilian version, the police version features upgraded heavy-duty brakes, a severe-duty cooling system, police-performance Electronic Stability Program, police performance-tuned steering, and a gear shifter that is mounted on the steering column instead of in the center console. In place of the center console, Dodge has equipped the police edition with a steel plate appropriate for mounting radio equipment and controllers for lights and sirens. As of June 2006, they have been adopted by the Washington State Patrol as unmarked patrol cars.

The base police package uses the 3.5 L V6 engine and bright center hubcaps. The 5.7 L Hemi V8 engine and full bolt-on wheel covers are optional.

Models

Year	Model	Engine	Power	Torque
2006-present	SE	3.5 L V6	250 hp (186 kW)	250 ft·lbf (339 N·m)
2006-present	SXT	3.5 L V6	250 hp (186 kW)	250 ft·lbf (339 N·m)
2006-present	R/T	5.7 L Hemi V8	340 hp (254 kW)	390 ft·lbf (529 N·m)
2006	Daytona R/T	5.7 L Hemi V8	350 hp (261 kW)	390 ft·lbf (529 N·m)
2006-present	SRT-8	6.1 L Hemi V8	425 hp (317 kW)	420 ft·lbf (569 N·m)
2007-present	Super Bee	6.1 L Hemi V8	425 hp (317 kW)	420 ft·lbf (569 N·m)

Daytona R/T

The 2006 Charger Daytona R/T debuted at the Chicago Auto Show. It features a High Output 350 hp (261 kW) version of the 5.7 L Hemi as well as an updated suspension and tires. Visual additions include a special front fascia with a chin spoiler. In a retro touch, the Daytona R/T features black "Hemi" decals on the hood and rear fender and is only available in two retro colors: "Go ManGo!" metallic orange (from the 1970 Charger) and Top Banana yellow (also a 1970-vintage color). It is priced at $32,495 and 8,000 will be produced for one year only. "TorRed" was announced as a new color in January 2006.

SRT-8

An SRT-8 version of the Charger debuted at the 2005 New York International Auto Show. Powered by a 425 hp (317 kW) version of the 6.1 L Hemi, it also features upgraded Brembo brakes, and interior and exterior updates. The engine produces 420 ft·lbf (569 N·m) of torque. This power rating makes the 2006 SRT-8 as powerful as the largest of the legendary Hemi engines of the muscle car era.

Super Bee

A new Super Bee version of the Charger debuted at the 2006 New York International Auto Show for the 2007 model year. It shares the SRT-8's 425 hp (317 kW) 6.1 L Hemi engine but comes in special "Detonator Yellow" paint with black decals.

Pop culture

• Michael Chiklis' character Detective Vic Mackey on the FX Networks program The Shield drives a blue Charger.
• Paul Guilfoyle's character Captain Jim Brass on the CBS program CSI drives a black Charger.

• Mark Harmon's character agent Jethro Gibbs and his team drives a Dodge Charger on TV series NCIS. In fact, there appears to be an entire fleet of Chargers at their disposal.

Controversy

Some fans of the classic Charger were disappointed by the redesigned Charger's four door setup, having expected a rival to compete with the redesigned Ford Mustang. The 1999 Charger concept borrowed a number of classic muscle car design cues, but the final version delivered to the public appeared vastly different from the concept version.

Part of the disppointment stems from the fact that the redesigned Charger was never intended as competition to the Ford Mustang, but rather as a replacement for the outgoing Dodge Intrepid sedan which had been waning in popularity for several years.

Despite criticism, however, intial Charger sales were strong, topping 30,000 units by November of 2005 [1].

The large Chryslers also have an AMC heritage. Template:Citation needed The previous LH cars were based upon the Eagle Premier and Dodge Monaco, and the current cars are in the same factory that was acquired from AMC. The history of the Dodge Charger and Dodge Charger Daytona are legend, but previous mid and large AMCs before the Premier included the Hudson Hornet featured in the Cars (movie) and the Penske factory backed AMC Matadors of the 1970s which battled it out with Dodges and Plymouths. The AMC heritage line goes back to the 1930s Nash Ambassador, a contemporary of the Chrysler Airflow.

References

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External links

• Dodge Forum & Club - Information & Discussions Regarding Every Dodge Past Or Present
• LX Platform Forums (Dodge Charger, Dodge Magnum, Chrysler 300)
• Allpar's (2006) Charger Page
• New Age Dodge Charger Forums
• AutoGuideWiki.com
• Dodge Charger Review from Edmunds.com
• Dodge Charger SRT8 Review and Wallpaper from mph-online.com
• Rally Racing with Ralph Giles in the Dodge Charger SRT8 from mph-online.com
• NYPD Buys Dodge Charger Police Cruisers from DetroitWonk.com
• Review: 2006 Dodge Charger