The
Dodge Charger LX is a
rear-wheel drive four-door
automobile introduced in February 2005. Built by
Chrysler for its North American
Dodge brand, the car was created to continue the
Dodge Charger line, and replaced the
Dodge Intrepid as Dodge's
full-size sedan. It shares the LX platform with
the
Chrysler 300, and has an interior
almost identical to the now-discontinued
Dodge Magnum.
History
The first Charger was a 1964 show car, based on the
Dodge Polara and fitted with a
426 Wedge V8 engine.
The first production Charger, based on the
Dodge Coronet, was introduced as a 1966 model.
In 1999, Dodge introduced a new Charger R/T concept car. It took
many styling cues from the 1960s Chargers, sharing their long nose
and rearward cab, but was much shorter at , compared to for the
1966 Charger. It was also lighter. Although it had four doors where
the earlier models had two, the rear doors were intended to be
blended unobtrusively into the body. Compressed natural gas was
proposed as a possible fuel source.
Engines
The Charger
SEand
SXTare equipped with
Chrysler's 3.5 L V6and sell at a
starting price of
US$22,995.
The 3.5 L V6 produces and of torque. In Canada, the base model
Charger has a 2.7 L V6, which produces and of torque. In 2006, the
2.7 L V6 was also available in the US for fleet sales only. For
2007, the SE package could be had with the 2.7 L engine for all
buyers.
The
R/Tversion uses the
HemiV8and sells
for US$29,995. From 2006-2008, this engine produces and of torque.
For 2009, Variable Camshaft Timing was added, raising power levels
to and of torque respectively.
The
SRT-8model comes with the
Hemi V8and has a base
MSRPof US$35,320. The 6.1 L Hemi
produces and of torque.
Safety
The
Insurance Institute for Highway Safetygives
the Charger an overall
Goodscore in frontal crash tests.
In side impacts Charger models equipped with optional side airbags
are given a
Marginalscore overall, and models without side
airbags are given the lowest overall
Poorscore.
All models come standard with
Electronic Stability
Program(ESP) (except in 2.7L V6 cars where it is optional) with
ABS and all speed
traction
control.
2006 to Present Models
Both the SXT and R/T models are also available as AWD (All Wheel
Drive) starting in 2007. The All-Wheel Drive system is derived from
the Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC technology. From 2007-2008, the AWD system
is engaged all the time, routing approximately 60% of the power to
the rear wheels and 40% of the power to the front wheels. The 2009
Charger AWD utilized the Torque-on-Demand system manufactured by
Borg Warnerwhich disconnects the front
axles until extra traction is needed. This results in a slight
boost in fuel economy while retaining the same maximum power split
to the front wheels.
Daytona R/T
2006 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T
The 2006
Charger Daytona R/Tdebuted at the
Chicago Auto Show. It features a
high output version of the Hemi as well as an updated suspension
and tires. Visual additions include a special front fascia with a
chin spoiler and a black rear spoiler. In a retro touch, the
Daytona R/T features black "Hemi" decals on the hood and rear
fender and retro high impact colors. In 2007, larger 20"
chrome-clad wheels were introduced. In 2008, a revised stripe
package was adopted. In 2009, horsepower was increased to by the
addition of Variable Camshaft Timing.
SRT-8
An
SRT-8 version of the Charger debuted at the 2005
New York
International Auto Show
.Powered by a version of the
Hemi, it also features
upgraded
Brembobrakes, and interior and
exterior updates. The engine produces of torque. The 425 net
horsepower of the modern 6.1 L Hemi makes it even more powerful
than the legendary
Hemiengines of the
muscle carera, the biggest of which was rated at
425 gross horsepower. This makes the 6.1 L Hemi engine the most
powerful V8 engine that Chrysler has ever put in a production
vehicle with a 5-speed automatic transmission.
Super Bee
2008 Dodge Charger Super Bee
It shares the
SRT-8's
Hemiengine
but comes in special "Detonator Yellow" paint with black decals. It
is a limited edition with only 1000 being produced. A B5 Blue
version of the Super Bee was shown at the 2007 North American
International Auto Show and went on sale in early 2008, also with a
limited run of 1000. 425 Hemi Orange Super Bees were built in
2009
DUB Edition
Created with
DUB Magazine, it is based
on the Charger SXT. It includes a body-colour spoiler and fog
lamps, 20-inch alloys wrapped around with 245/45R20 tires, MyGIG
Multimedia Infotainment System with 13-speaker KICKER
surround-sound system, a 322W KICKER amplifier and a 100W KICKER
subwoofer. Exterior colors are red, black, silver, cool vanilla and
dark titanium.
2,180 Charger DUB Edition cars were produced for the US market for
$30,235.
NASCAR
Although
NASCARstock
carsbear only a slight resemblance to actual street cars,
Dodge's 2005 and 2006 NASCAR entries were based on the Charger
silhouette, replacing the previous Dodge Intrepid. Unlike the
Intrepid, the Charger shares
rear-wheel
driveand a
V8 enginewith its NASCAR
counterparts. During the 2007 NASCAR season the Charger was used in
all non
Car of Tomorrowraces and the
Dodge Avengerwas used in all
Car of Tomorrowraces. The Car of Tomorrow
was used exclusively in 2008. However, the Avenger Car of Tomorrow
will be redesignated as a Charger R/T through the use of different
decals.
Police Package Version
In early 2006,
DaimlerChryslerreleased a new
police versionof the 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, computers, and controllers for lights and sirens. The
vehicle's electrical system is specifically designed for
integration of siren and light controls, and other police vehicle
accessories.
The Hemi V8 is powerful enough to accelerate the car from 0 to in
6.2 seconds and to a top speed of . By comparison, the 1972
AMC Matador, with its 401 in³ V8, could
accelerate from rest to in seven seconds, and took 43 seconds to
reach a top speed of . In Michigan State Police and California
Highway Patrol testing, the Charger V8 easily outperformed all
other pursuit vehicles in acceleration, cornering, and braking
(except the
Dodge Magnum, which stopped
slightly faster in some tests).
Chargers are in use with several police agencies as both marked and
unmarked patrol cars.
Law enforcement agencies outside of the
US
have also purchased the Charger, including police
services in Canada, Mexico, Chile and the Middle East, including Bahrain
, Kuwait
, and
Lebanon
.Both V6 and V8 models are being adopted,
with highway patrols favoring the
HemiV8 engine
and cities more likely to purchase the base police package with the
3.5 L V6 fuel-efficient engine. The
New York City Police
Departmenthas purchased Chargers for use by precinct and
Highway
Patrolofficers, and the
Nassau County Police
Departmenthas purchased Chargers for use by members of its
Highway Patroldivision. The
New York State Policeand
New York State Court
Officersalso use the Charger for patrol. The
California Highway Patrolhas begun
to use the Charger for patrols, gradually phasing out their fleet
of Ford Police Interceptors. The
Los Angeles Police
Departmentis also starting to deploy several 2008 Chargers in
the field on a testing basis, with an eye on replacing their aging
fleet of
Ford Police
Interceptors, the
Iowa State
Patrolrecently began the purchase of the Charger Police package
to replace their aging fleet of Ford Crown Victoria models. In
2006, the
Virginia State
Policeadded 35 Chargers to its patrol fleet.
The Charger is also in service with U.S. Federal and military
police services, including the
U.S.Marine
Corps Base Provost Marshal's Offices, the Naval Criminal
Investigative Service, the FBI
, the U.S.Department
of Veterans Affairs Policeand the
U.S.Marshals Service.
For 2009, the
V6Charger police car comes with the
3.5L V6 and a 5-speed
automatic
transmission. The rear is slightly updated, moving the
"CHARGER" badge to the right, and replacing the left with the badge
reading "DODGE." The V8 version uses the Charger Daytona R/T
engine, rated and . of torque.
Gallery
File:2006 Michigan State Police Dodge Charger 1.jpg|Dodge Charger
of the
Michigan State
Police.File:NYPD Dodge Charger Police Interceptor
2909.jpg|Dodge Charger of the
New York City Police
Department.
File:Chargeramhpi1500.jpg|Dodge Charger of
the Amherst,
Ohio
police force.File:Dodge Charger Police
(Sûreté du Québec).JPG|Dodge Charger of the
Sûreté du
Québec.File:Charger Squad Car Rear Quarter Shot.jpg|Rear view
of the Dodge Charger.File:New York State Court Cruiser.JPG|
New York State Court
OfficersDodge Charger in
Times
Square.[[File:n513962698 1445921 4392243.jpg|Dodge Charger of
the Passaic County Sheriff's Department.
Future model
In October
2008, then-Chrysler LLC CEO Bob Nardelli told CNBC
's Michael Eisner of Chrysler's plans concerning
a redesigned Charger: "In the pipeline for 2010: A brand new
300, a brand new Charger ... a brand
new Jeep, the pipeline is full, plus we have
these smaller vehicles coming through partnerships and
alliances".On November 4, 2009, Fiat announced that the
Charger will be refreshed for 2011.
References
- Dodge Charger - Wikicars
- 2006 SRT-8 Dodge Charger Lot# 426 at www.barret-jackson.com automobile auctions
- Dash plate from 2007 Plum Crazy Charger
- 2009 Dodge Charger dealer brochure
- 2006 DUB Edition Dodge Charger
- Chrysler 300 & Dodge Charger “Dub
Edition”
- Fleet - Standard Equipment
External links
|
|
| Year |
| Model |
| Engine |
| Power |
| Torque |
|
2006
to
present |
| SE |
EER V6 |
|
|
|
| SXT (G/H/N/P/R Packs) |
EGJ V6 |
|
|
|
2006
to
2008 |
| R/T |
Hemi EZB V8 |
|
|
|
| R/T with Road/Track Performance Group |
|
|
| Daytona R/T |
|
2009
to
present |
R/T
R/T with Road/Track Performance Group
|
Hemi EZD V8 |
|
|
|
2006
to
present |
| SRT-8 |
Hemi ESF V8 |
|
|
|
|
| Color |
| Year |
| Units |
|
| Go ManGo! |
| 2006 |
| 4000 (US), 200 (CDN) |
|
| Top Banana |
| 4000 (US), 250 (CDN) |
|
| TorRed |
| 2000 (US), 250 (CDN) |
|
| Sublime |
| 2007 |
| 1500 (US), 150 (CDN) |
|
| Plum Crazy |
| 1400 (US), 120 (CDN) |
|
| Hemi Orange |
| 2008 |
| 1650 (US), 100 (CDN) |
|
| Stone White |
| 2009 |
| 400 (US), 75 (CDN) |
|
|
| Color |
| Year 2006- |
| Units |
|
| Go ManGo! |
| 2006 |
| 1 |
|
| Silver |
| Unknown |
|
| Black |
| Unknown |
|
| Inferno Red |
| Unknown |
|
| Silver |
| 2007 |
| Unknown |
|
| Black |
| Unknown |
|
| TorRed |
| Unknown |
|
| Plum Crazy |
| 300 |
|
| Silver |
| 2008 |
| Unknown |
|
| Black |
| Unknown |
|
| TorRed |
| Unknown |
|
| Steel Blue |
| Unknown |
|
| Silver |
| 2009 |
| Unknown |
|
| Black |
| Unknown |
|
| TorRed |
| Unknown |
|
| Deep Water Blue |
| Unknown |
|
 2007 Dodge Charger SRT8
|
 2007 Dodge Charger SRT8
|
|
 2006 Dodge Charger SRT-8
|
|
|
 2007 Dodge Charger Super Bee
#711
|
 2007 Dodge Charger Super Bee
#711
|
 2007 Dodge Charger Super Bee
#711
|
|
|
| Color |
| Year |
| Units |
|
| Detonator Yellow |
| 2007 |
| 1000 (US) |
|
| B5 Blue Pearl |
| 2008 |
| 1000 (US) |
|
| Hemi Orange, |
| 2009 |
| 425 (US) |
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