Dodge Charger (LX)
The
Dodge Charger, in its current incarnation, is a
rear-wheel drive full-size automobile built by the
DaimlerChrysler corporation for its
North American
Dodge brand. The
Charger name is a historical one, borne by many other
Dodge Charger models in the past; they have generally been performance models. Introduced in February 2005 for the 2006
model year, this new Charger shares the LX platform of the
Chrysler 300 and
Dodge Magnum; in fact, the interior of the Charger is almost identical to that of the Magnum. It replaced the
Dodge Intrepid as Dodge's full-size sedan. This Charger is a four-door sedan, disappointing some fans of the previous two-door Chargers. It is built at
Brampton Assembly in
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 22,995.
The Hemi
R/T version uses the 5.7 L
Hemi V8 and sells for 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 US$32,722.
| Year | Model | Engine | Power!Torque | | 2006-present | SE | 3.5 L EGJ V6 | 250 hp (186 kW) | 250 ft·lbf (339 N·m) |
| 2006-present | SXT | 3.5 L EGJ 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 US$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.
Jada Toys introduced a DUB version in mid 2006.
NASCAR
Although
NASCAR stock cars bear only a slight resemblence to actual cars, Dodge NASCAR entries are now based on the Dodge Charger, replacing the previous
Dodge Intrepid. Unlike the Intrepid, the LX Charger at least shares
rear-wheel drive and a
V8 engine with its NASCAR counterpart.
|
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.
[[https://www.fleet.chrysler.com/fleetcda/CDAController?pageid=445 DaimlerChrysler Fleet Information - Dodge Charger Police, Standard Equipment]] 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.
The Hemi V8 produces 340 hp for a top speed of 150 mph. It will hit 0 to 60 in 6 seconds, near muscle car performance. By comparison, the 1972
AMC (now merged with Chrysler)
Matador had a 401 cubic inch V-8 that could hit 0 to 60 in 7 seconds, and took 43 seconds to reach a top speed of 125 miles an hour,
[Allpar The history of Chrysler, Dodge, and Plymouth police cars]A
Washington State Patrol officer told a reporter "It may replace the
Ford Crown Victoria, I just don't know"
[KUOW Aug 3, 2006].
As of July 2006, they have been adopted by several police agencies as unmarked patrol cars. The
Washington State Patrol and
Oregon State Police have purchased 52
[KUOW broadcast Aug 3, 2006]. They have also been adopted by the Charles County Sheriff's Office (
Maryland) and the Alachua County (
Florida) Sheriff's Office, and agencies including the
Philadelphia Police and
Montgomery County (
Maryland) Police are using them as marked patrol units. Some Canadian police forces have purchased the Charger including
Peel Regional Police,
Ontario Provincial Police,
Ottawa Police Service and
Peterborough Police.
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.
[[https://www.fleet.chrysler.com/fleetcda/CDAController?pageid=446 DaimlerChrysler Fleet Information - Dodge Charger Police, Optional Equipment]]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 2005 [
1]. In addition, the revival of the
Dodge Challenger in
2008 would fill the void of a ponycar rival with the Mustang and the revived
Chevrolet Camaro, thus easing the pain of the Charger not filling this void.
*
Allpar's (2006) Charger Page*
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
