Known for its NASCAR dominance, the Dodge Charger is one of America's most revered performance nameplates. Originally an icon of the muscle car era, the Charger has recently been reborn as an affordable performance sedan. In fact it was the success of the born-again Charger that prompted Dodge to give a second lease of life to the Challenger, which we previewed last week.
The original Dodge Charger debuted in the mid 1960s as a response to America's growing interest in average cars with above-average performance.
This two-door coupe boasted of aggressive fastback styling and big V8 power (including Chrysler's famed 426 Hemi). The Dodge Charger’s heritage runs deep, however. First introduced as a 1966 model, this Coronet-based coupe had a unique look, with a sweeping fastback and concealed headlights. But it's the second generation of the Charger that was most popular. This was the one that served as the basis for the winged and race-winning Charger Daytona of 1969.
Less popular were three successive generations of Chargers. Third and fourth-generation models from the 1970s were emasculated by new emission regulations. A fifth-generation, made available from 1982-87, was a variation of the front-drive Dodge Omni 024 economy hatchback.
Near the end of its production, there were sporty, turbocharged versions modified by Carroll Shelby that culminated in the Shelby Charger GLH-S. As with similar vehicles of this time period, however, the Charger's glory quickly faded after 1970 due to rising insurance and gas prices, higher emission standards and changing consumer tastes.
The current Dodge Charger may not be the two-door muscle car you remember from the 1960s (to the chagrin of traditionalists, it's a sedan), but it does a fine job of being a modern interpretation. As a bonus, the latest Charger has a usable interior and plenty of standard equipment. Think of it as a muscle car the whole family can enjoy.
The new Dodge Charger unveiled for the 2006 model year and is based on the same Mercedesderived platform used for the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum. As such, the Charger has four doors and is a bit larger than the average midsize sedan. Its front-end styling is much more aggressive than that of its siblings, and the rear roof line slopes downward in a coupe-like fashion.
It was updated for 2008 with a revised interior, which features greatly improved materials and a more upscale appearance.
There are three trim levels: base SE, a betterequipped SXT, the performance-themed R/T and the powerhouse SRT8. Even the SE is reasonably equipped in terms of features, but its standard 178-horsepower, 2.7-liter V6 is a bit underwhelming by muscle car standards, of course. Optional on the SE and standard on the SXT is a 250-hp 3.5-liter V6, which is more like it. However, to retain its muscle car legacy, it needs to have a V8. The Charger R/T, therefore, comes with a 5.7-litre Hemi V8, good for 340 hp, and there's an available Daytona R/T package that adds additional performance hardware and a few cosmetic extras. A five-speed automatic transmission sending power to the rear wheels is standard on all Chargers.
The Charger SRT-8 is a product of Chrysler's special SRT (Street and Racing Technology) performance division.
It's the fastest of the Charger models and comes with a 6.1-liter Hemi V8 capable of 425 hp. Backing up the powerful V8 are other SRT features like a stiffer suspension, bigger brakes and a modified front fascia.
This model comes with a specially calibrated five-speed automatic transmission.
For its first two years in production, the current- generation Charger featured a lesser-quality interior that was greatly improved for 2008.
The SXT trim level was also new for that year.
Because of its bulk, the Charger isn't as nimble as some other similarly priced performance coupes or sports cars. But it has earned favourable commentary in reviews for its secure handling, powerful V8 engines, and roomy and comfortable interior. If you are looking for an agile, fast, luxurious and a more sophisticated car, look beyond the Charger. For a family man interested in a re-born muscle car, the Dodge Charger is probably the best choice.
vivekji05@yahoo.co.uk