Dodge Charger History
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The current Dodge Charger is a four-door, rear- or all-wheel drive large sedan, though it has been built in many guises over the years. Its main competition is the Ford Taurus, Hyundai Genesis, Nissan Maxima and Chevrolet Impala, though in R/T and SRT8 form it has few direct rivals. Priced from $25,000 to $40,000, the Charger is available in a range of trims and powertrains to suit most needs.
The original Dodge Charger was built in 1965 as an option package for the Dart GT, then from 1966 to 1978 as a rear-wheel drive, two-door muscle car. It was built in four generations over the 12-year run, though the second-generation car, built from 1968-1970 is probably the most recognizable. This version was, and still is for many, the iconic Charger. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Charger was available with the same engines as the Challenger, including the 426 cubic-inch HEMI, the 440 Magnum and 440 Six-Pack. From 1983 to 1987 the Charger was re-envisioned as a compact hatchback. The Charger name then took a hiatus until the new sedan was released in 2006.
Based on the same platform as the Dodge Challenger muscle car, the Charger sedan has legitimate claims to the Charger heritage, with design cues that reinforce those ties. In base SE form it features a not-so-muscular 2.7-liter V-6 engine paired to a four-speed automatic, but still delivers the size and comfort of a large sedan. The SXT trim level substitutes a 3.5-liter V-6 and adds Sirius Satellite Radio, traction and stability control, plus a power driver's seat among other options. The R/T package adds a 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine rated at 368 horsepower, and a special AutoStick automatic transmission, a performance exhaust, plus steering wheel-mounted audio controls, power/heated front seats, and power heated folding side mirrors. The range-topping SRT8 features a 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 and 425 horsepower output, capable of hauling the big sedan to 60 mph in the low-five-second range. An aggressive appearance package, tauter handling and upgraded interior make the SRT8 a very different car than the base SE. Both the R/T and SXT models can be fitted with all-wheel drive, making them better-suited to colder climates and all-weather driving.
The 2011 Dodge Charger is expected to get a redesign, with more Challenger-like styling and possibly more power from the R/T and SRT8 versions. If it does come, it may appear as early as later this year at auto shows, with an on-sale date toward the end of 2010 or early 2011.
