Dodge Charger (LX)

This article is about the current LX platform Charger. For other cars with that name, see Dodge Charger.

Dodge Charger

Manufacturer	DaimlerChrysler (2006–2007) Chrysler LLC/Chrysler Group LLC (2007–present)
Production	2005[1]–present
Model years	2006–present
Assembly	Brampton, Ontario, Canada
Predecessor	Dodge Intrepid
Class	Full-size
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Platform	Chrysler LX platform

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, the newer third-generation Dodge Challenger, and 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 187 in (4,750 mm), compared to 203 in (5,156 mm) for the 1966 Charger. It was also 650 lb (295 kg) lighter. Although it had four doors where the earlier models had two, the rear doors were intended to be blended unobtrusively into the body.

Engines

5.7 L Hemi

6.1 L Hemi

The Charger SE and SXT are equipped with Chrysler's 3.5 L V6. The 3.5 L V6 produces 250 hp (186 kW) and 250 lb·ft (339 N·m) of torque. In Canada, the base model Charger has a 2.7 L V6, which produces 190 hp (142 kW) and 190 lb·ft (258 N·m) of torque. In 2006, the 2.7 L V6 was also available in the U.S. for fleet sales only. For 2007, the SE package could be had with the 2.7 L engine for all buyers. The Canadian SXT model included the 3.5 L V6.

The R/T version uses the 5.7 L (345 cu in) Hemi V8. From 2006-2008, this engine produced 340 hp (254 kW) and 390 lb·ft (529 N·m) of torque. For 2009, Variable Camshaft Timing was added, raising power levels to 368 hp (274 kW) and 395 lb·ft (536 N·m) of torque respectively.

The SRT-8 model comes with the 6.1 L (370 cu in) Hemi V8. The 6.1 L Hemi produces 425 hp (317 kW) and 420 lb·ft (569 N·m) of torque.^[2]

Safety

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives the Charger an overall Good score in frontal crash tests.^[3] In side impacts Charger models equipped with optional side airbags are given a Marginal score overall, and models without side airbags are given the lowest overall Poor score.^[4][5]

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gives the Charger five stars on passenger, driver, and rear passenger crash test ratings and four stars in regard to side impact rating.

All models come standard with Electronic Stability Program (ESP) (except in 2.7 L V6 cars where it is optional) with ABS and all speed traction control.

First generation

First generation

Production	2005-2010
Model years	2006-2010
Engine	2.7 L (160 cu in) EER V6 3.5 L (210 cu in) EGJ V6 5.7 L (345 cu in) EZB/EZD HEMI V8 6.1 L (370 cu in) ESF HEMI V8
Transmission	4-speed 42RLE automatic 5-speed W5A580 automatic
Wheelbase	120.0 in (304.8 cm)
Length	200.1 in (508.3 cm)
Width	74.4 in (189 cm)
Height	58.2 in (148 cm) SRT-8: 57.7 in (1,466 mm)
Curb weight	4160 lb (1887 kg)[6]
Related	Chrysler 300 Dodge Challenger Dodge Magnum
Designer	Ralph Gilles Freeman Thomas

Year	Model	Engine	Power	Torque
2006 to 2010	SE	2,736 cc (2.736 L; 167.0 cu in) EER V6	190 hp (142 kW)	190 lb·ft (258 N·m)
	SXT (G/H/N/P/R Packs)	3,518 cc (3.518 L; 214.7 cu in) EGJ V6	250 hp (186 kW)	250 lb·ft (339 N·m)
2006 to 2008	R/T	5.7 L (345 cu in) Hemi EZB V8	340 hp (254 kW)	390 lb·ft (529 N·m)
	R/T with Road/Track Performance Group		350 hp (261 kW)
	Daytona R/T
2009 to 2010	R/T	5.7 L (345 cu in) Hemi EZD V8	368 hp (274 kW)	395 lb·ft (536 N·m)
	R/T with Road/Track Performance Group		372 hp (277 kW)
2006 to 2010	SRT-8	6.1 L (370 cu in) Hemi ESF V8	425 hp (317 kW)	420 lb·ft (569 N·m)

Both the SXT and R/T models were 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 Warner which 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.

After three years of production, an update for 2009 models was made. This included moving the decklid's "CHARGER" badge from the left to the right, making way for "DODGE" at the left. Tail lamps were also revised.

Daytona R/T

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)

The 2006 Charger Daytona R/T debuted at the Chicago Auto Show. It featured a high output 375 hp (280 kW) version of the 5.7 L (345 cu in) Hemi as well as an updated suspension and tires. Visual additions included a special front fascia with a chin spoiler and a black rear spoiler. In a retro touch, the Daytona R/T featured black "Hemi" decals on the hood and rear fender and retro high impact colors.

In 2007, larger 20-inch chrome-clad wheels were introduced. In 2008, a revised stripe package was adopted. In 2009, horsepower was increased to 398 hp (297 kW) by the addition of Variable Camshaft Timing.

SRT-8

Color	Year	Units
Go ManGo!	2006	1 [7]
Silver		675
Black		2907
Inferno Red		1137
Silver	2007	Unknown
Black		Unknown
TorRed		Unknown
Plum Crazy		300 [8]
Silver	2008	Unknown
Black		Unknown
TorRed		Unknown
Steel Blue		Unknown
Silver	2009	Unknown
Black		Unknown
TorRed		Unknown
Deep Water Blue		Unknown
Silver	2010	Unknown
Black		Unknown
TorRed		Unknown
Deep Water Blue		Unknown

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 (370 cu in) Hemi, it also featured upgraded Brembo brakes, and interior and exterior updates. The engine produces 420 lb·ft (569 N·m) of torque. The 425 net horsepower of the modern 6.1 L Hemi makes it even more powerful than the legendary Chrysler Hemi engines of the muscle car era, 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.

2006 Dodge Charger SRT-8 in Brilliant Black

2007 Dodge Charger SRT8 in Plum Crazy

2006 Dodge Charger SRT8 in Inferno Red

See also: Street and Racing Technology

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 shared the SRT-8's 425 hp (317 kW) 6.1 L (370 cu in) Hemi engine, but was available in a special "Detonator Yellow" paint with black decals. It is a limited edition with only 1,000 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 1,000. A total of 425 Hemi Orange Super Bees were built in 2009. In 2011, it was announced that the Super Bee will be returning as a 2012 model on the redesigned Dodge Charger with the 392 HEMI engine in "Stinger Yellow" and "Pitch Black"^[9]

Color	Year	Units
Detonator Yellow	2007	1000 (US)
B5 Blue Pearl	2008	1000 (US)
Hemi Orange[10]	2009	425 (US)
Stinger Yellow[9]	2012	TBD
Pitch Black[9]	2012	TBD

2007 Dodge Charger Super Bee #711

2007 Dodge Charger Super Bee #711

2008 Dodge Charger Super Bee

DUB Edition

Created with DUB Magazine, this version is based on the Charger SXT. It includes a body-colour spoiler and fog lamps, 20-inch alloy wheels 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.^[11]

A total of 2,180 Charger DUB Edition cars were produced for the U.S. market. They carried a MSRP of $30,235.^[12]

NASCAR

NASCAR Sprint Cup's newest Dodge car design "The COT" (Car of Tomorrow), driven by Kasey Kahne

Dodge Charger NASCAR

Although NASCAR stock cars bear 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 drive and a V8 engine with its NASCAR counterparts.

During the 2007 NASCAR season the Charger was used in all non Car of Tomorrow races and the Dodge Avenger was used in all Car of Tomorrow races. The Car of Tomorrow was used exclusively in 2008. However, the Avenger Car of Tomorrow was redesignated as a Charger R/T through the use of different decals. The decals have been revised again for 2011 to reflect the updated nose and tail styling of the production Charger, including the full-width taillight panel.

Second generation

Second generation

Production	2010-present
Model years	2011-present
Engine	3.6L Pentastar V6 5.7L EZD HEMI V8 6.4L ESG HEMI V8
Transmission	5-speed automatic 8-speed 845RE automatic V6 Only [13]
Wheelbase	3,052 mm (120.2 in)
Length	5,077 mm (199.9 in)
Width	1,905 mm (75.0 in)
Height	1,482 mm (58.3 in)

The 2011 Charger underwent both exterior and interior changes.^[14] It features a completely new body with the most striking changes being the redesigned fascia and hood section,^[15] modified taillights and a new dashboard.

It also takes some styling cues from the 1968-1970 model. It will be built alongside the 2011 Challenger SRT8 392 and 300C. The Charger SRT-8 returns as 2012 model, which was previewed at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show.

Engines

Engines are available with the 5-speed automatic transmission. From 2012 model year the 3.6 L engine is available with 8-speed automatic that improves fuel economy by 4-mpg on the highway. The 3.6 liter Pentastar V6 produces 292 horsepower and 260 lb-ft. of torque, the 5.7 liter V-8 delivers 370 horsepower and 395 lb-ft. of torque, and the new 6.4 liter V-8 contains 470 horsepower and 470 lb-ft. of torque. According to the October 2011 issue of Motor Trend, the Dodge Charger SRT-8, weighing 4,361 lbs., sprints from 0-60 MPH in 4.3 seconds, and clears the quarter mile in 12.8 seconds at 110 MPH. It's mechanically identical to the Chrysler 300 SRT-8. The base price of the Dodge Charger SRT-8 is $46,795.

Model	Engine	Displacement	Power @ rpm	Torque @ rpm	Years
SE	3.6 V6 Pentastar	3,604 cc (219.9 cu in)	296 PS (218 kW; 292 hp) @ 6350 rpm	350 N·m (260 lb·ft) @4800 rpm	2011-
RALLYE (PLUS packs)
R/T	5.7 V8 HEMI	5,654 cc (345.0 cu in)	375 PS (276 kW; 370 hp) @ 5250 rpm	540 N·m (400 lb·ft) @4200 rpm	2011-
SRT-8	6.4 V8 HEMI	6,409 cc (391.1 cu in)	471 PS (346 kW; 465 hp)	631 N·m (465 lb·ft)	2012-

Police Package Version

In early 2006, DaimlerChrysler released a new police version of 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.^[16] In place of the center console, Dodge has equipped the police edition with an aluminum 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 340 hp (254 kW) Hemi V8 is powerful enough to accelerate the car from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 6.0 seconds and to a top speed of 146 mph (235 km/h).^[17] In Michigan State Police testing, the Charger V8 easily outperformed all other pursuit vehicles in acceleration, cornering, and braking (except the Dodge Magnum and V6 Charger, which stopped slightly faster in some tests) in the first five years since its introduction. ^[18]

Chargers are in use with several police agencies in North America 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.^[19] Both V6 and V8 models are being adopted, with highway patrols favoring the 5.7 L (345 cu in) Hemi V8 engine and cities more likely to purchase the base police package with the 3.5 L V6 fuel-efficient engine. The Charger is also in service with U.S. Federal and military police services.

For 2009, the base Charger police car came with the 3.5 L 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 368 horsepower (274 kW) and 395 ft·lbf (536 N·m) of torque.

In June, 2011 the Police Department of Guadalajara, Mexico equipped its police force with the new 2nd generation Dodge Charger.^[20]

Gallery

• 

  Dodge Charger of the Michigan State Police.

• 

  Dodge Charger of the New York City Police Department.

• 

  Dodge Charger of the Amherst, Ohio police force.

• 

  Charger in use by NASA as an ER-2 chase vehicle

• 

  Rear view of the Dodge Charger.

• 

  New York State Court Officers Dodge Charger in Times Square.

• 

  Dodge Charger of the California Highway Patrol.

• 

  Memphis Police

Total American sales

Calendar Year	Sales
2008[21]	97,367
2009[22]	60,651
2010[23]	75,397

References

1. ^ "Brampton Assembly Plant and Brampton Satellite Stamping Plant". Chrysler News Release. http://www.media.chrysler.com/newsrelease.do;jsessionid=078F7DAEEE26C560AAD7F60A5DE1ACA1?&id=332&mid=2. Retrieved 2011-02-05. 
2. ^ "2010 Dodge Charger SRT8 Technical Specs". Yahoo! Autos. http://autos.yahoo.com/dodge_charger_srt8-specs/?p=ext. Retrieved 2010-10-26. 
3. ^ "IIHS-HLDI: Chrysler 300". Iihs.org. 2008-11-25. http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=240. Retrieved 2009-05-01. 
4. ^ "IIHS-HLDI: Chrysler 300". Iihs.org. 2008-11-25. http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=664. Retrieved 2009-05-01. 
5. ^ "IIHS-HLDI: Chrysler 300". Iihs.org. 2007-10-23. http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=661. Retrieved 2009-05-01. 
6. ^ "2010 Dodge Charger SRT8 Basic Specs". Leftlane. http://www.leftlanenews.com/dodge-charger-srt8.html. Retrieved 2010-10-26. 
7. ^ 2006 SRT-8 Dodge Charger Lot# 426 at www.barret-jackson.com automobile auctions
8. ^ By MrDolomite25 No real name given. "Dash plate from 2007 Plum Crazy Charger". Flickr.com. http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrdolomite/2050180609/in/pool-dodgecharger. Retrieved 2010-10-04. 
9. ^ ^{a b c} http://www.allpar.com/news/index.php/2011/11/new-special-editions-from-srt-anddodge
10. ^ 2009 Dodge Charger dealer brochure
11. ^ "2006 DUB Edition Dodge Charger". Dubedition.com. http://www.dubedition.com/charger/charger.html. Retrieved 2010-10-04. 
12. ^ "Chrysler 300 & Dodge Charger “Dub Edition”". Carscoop.blogspot.com. 2008-04-23. http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2008/04/chrysler-300c-dodge-charger-dub-edition.html. Retrieved 2010-10-04. 
13. ^ "New Eight Speed Transmission Introduced by Chrysler". http://media.chrysler.com/newsrelease.do?id=11378&mid=2. Retrieved 2 September 2011. 
14. ^ "2011 Dodge Charger - Spied". December 2009. http://www.caranddriver.com/news/car/09q4/2011_dodge_charger-spied. Retrieved 2010-06-17. 
15. ^ "2011 Dodge Charger". 2010-06-05. http://www.leftlanenews.com/dodge-charger-2011.html. Retrieved 2010-06-17. 
16. ^ Fleet - Standard Equipment
17. ^ Police Vehicle Evaluation Model Year 2010, Michigan State Police Training Division, Nov 2009, p. 30-33
18. ^ Police Vehicle Evaluation Model Year 2010 (and ibids 2006-2009), Michigan State Police Training Division, Nov 2009 (and related dates for ibids), p. 30-40 for 2010 publication
19. ^ "US donates 97 vehicles to ISF". Now Lebanon. http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArchiveDetails.aspx?ID=49019. Retrieved 2010-09-16. 
20. ^ "Nuevos policías y patrullas para Guadalajara" (in Spanish). www.informador.com.mx. 2011-06-09. http://www.informador.com.mx/jalisco/2011/298639/6/nuevos-policias-y-patrullas-para-guadalajara.htm. Retrieved 2011-07-04. 
21. ^ "December 2008 Sales: Chrysler LLC". CheersandGears.com. 2009-01-05. http://www.cheersandgears.com/topic/27526-december-2008-sales-chrysler-llc/. Retrieved 2009-01-05. 
22. ^ "Chrysler Group LLC December 2009 Sales". CheersandGears.com. 2010-01-05. http://www.cheersandgears.com/topic/50556-chrysler-group-llc-december-2009/. Retrieved 2010-01-05. 
23. ^ "Chrysler Group LLC December 2010 Sales". CheersandGears.com. 2011-01-04. http://www.cheersandgears.com/topic/74955-december-2010-sales-chrysler/. Retrieved 2011-01-04. 

External links

• Dodge Charger, official website
• 2006-09 Dodge Charger, Allpar