Charger’s – Now & Then

There have been various Dodge vehicles, based on three different platforms, titled ‘Charger.’ The first of them was launched in 1964 as a roadster-style show car base on the Dodge Polara. The Dodge Charger 273 was launched in 1965 as a limited production option package for the Dart GT. The Dodge Charger (B-body), a hard-top coupe and muscle car, was introduced in 1966 and continued in the market till 1978. The Dodge Charger (L-body), a sub-compact hatchback, was introduced in 1983 and continued till 1987. The Dodge Charger (1999 concept), a concept car, was launched in 1999.

The present-day Dodge Charger (LX) was launched in February 2005. It is a full-size four-door sedan with rear-wheel drive, built by DaimlerChrysler Corp. Its all-wheel-drive (AWD) version debuted in 2007.

The 2007 Dodge Charger is available in five trims: Charger SE, SXT, R/T, Daytona R/T, and SRT8.

The Charger SE comes fitted with a 2.7L DOHC 24-valve V6 engine that generates 190 hp and 190 lb-ft of torque. It runs on four-speed automatic transmission.

The Charger SXT derives power from a 3.5-liter V6 engine that gives a high output of 250 hp and 250 lb-ft of torque.

The Charger R/T and the Dayton R/T are powered by a high-performance 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine with Multiple Displacement System (MDS) that delivers 340 hp and 350 hp respectively and 390 lb-ft of torque. This 5.7-liter HEMI V8 is very powerful and offers terrific acceleration to the car.

The Charger SRT8 gets power from a robust 6.1-liter SRT HEMI V8 engine that issues an incredible 425 hp of power and 420 lb-ft of torque.

The Charger SXT, R/T, Dayton R/T, and SRT8 run on a 5-speed AutoStick transmission that offers a smooth ride.

The Charger floors you with its coupe-like styling and the functionality of a four-door sedan.

The Charger’s exteriors are marked by a split rectangular face, long hood, short deck, smoothly arched roofline and a bold crossbar front-end. The front fascia of all the trims looks impressive with a brawny crosshair grille and black bezel halogen headlamps.

All trims except for the Charger SE come standard with fog lamps to ensure better visibility in foggy conditions. All the trims are available with a stainless steel exhaust system. An optional power sunroof is available on the SXT, R/T, Daytona R/T, and SRT8.

The Charger SE comes with standard 17-inch wheel covers and the SXT comes with standard 17-inch machined-face aluminum wheels which are optional on the SE. The R/T wears 18-inch ultra-brite aluminum wheels which are optional on the SXT. 18-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels are optional on SXT as well as R/T while 18-inch machined-face aluminum wheels are standard on an AWD. SRT8 runs smooth on 20-inch SRT forged aluminum wheels. The SE and SXT are available with standard 17-inch tires; the R/T with standard 18-inch tires, and the Daytona R/T and the SRT8 with 20-inch tires.

You can choose your favorite Charger trim from a host of colors such as Inferno Red Crystal Pearl, Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl, Stone White, Bright Silver Metallic, Sublime, Torred, Steel Blue Metallic, Marine Blue Pearl, and Silver Steel Metallic.

The Dodge Charger is comfort, control and convenience, all rolled into one. Standing on a wheelbase of 120.0 inches, it offers spacious interiors that look cozy and exude warmth. All the trims come with front low-back bucket seats. The SE comes with a fixed rear bench while all the other trims offer more comfort and space with a 60/40 split-folding rear bench along with an armrest and cup-holders.

The SE and SXT come with fabric seats while the R/T has a standard premium leather option, which is optional or part of the Comfort Seating Group for the SXT. The Daytona R/T is available in a premium vinyl option with suede micro fiber inserts while the SRT8 offers maximum comfort with its premium leather option along with suede micro fiber inserts.

The SE features a urethane gear shift knob and steering wheel while the SXT, R/T, Daytona R/T, and SRT8 feature a leather-wrapped shift knob and steering wheel. All the trims come standard with a tiltable manual steering column for extra comfort and suitability.

The SRT8 also boasts of a steering wheel-mounted audio and Electronic Vehicle Information Control (EVIC), while they come as part of a package with the R/T and Daytona R/T. The EVIC provides valuable information to the driver while the steering wheel-mounted controls allow the driver to navigate through the trip computer, the outside temperature, the compass, the audio settings, and various other features.

Some interior features common across all the trims are cup-holders, CD and cell-phone storage with 12V auxiliary power outlet located in the center console, rear seat heat and AC outlets, defroster on the rear window, speed-sensitive power door locks, power windows, child safety rear door locks, trunk lamp and remote keyless/illuminated entry system.

The Daytona R/T comes standard with automatic dual-zone temperature control while it is part of a package on the SXT, R/T and SRT8. The R/T and Daytona R/T feature Sirius satellite radio as a standard, while it is optional with the SE and SXT, and part of a package for the SRT8. The SXT, R/T, Daytona R/T and SRT8 are also available with an optional vehicle entertainment system that comprises of a DVD system, a 7-inch screen located in the center console armrest, a remote control, two wireless headsets, and faceplate audio and video input jacks.

The Charger scores over other family sedans due to its good performance, easy handling, superb ride comfort, and quick response.

Charger SXT and R/T feature an optional all-wheel-drive system that greatly improves traction. It ensures the performance of rear-wheel-drive handling with the security of all-wheel-drive traction. The other trims drive on rear wheels. Rear-wheel drive offers the advantage of better traction for acceleration with high-performance engines.

All the trims derive stopping power from disc brakes in the front as well as rear. Power rack and pinion steering is common to SE, SXT, and R/T while Daytona R/T comes with performance 9-land steering gear and the SRT8 gets the advantage of performance-tuned steering.

Front independent short/long arm with independent 5-link rear suspension that maintains independent control of each wheel for excellent handling is common to the Charger SE and SXT. The R/T is available with touring independent front and rear suspension while it comes as part of a package with the SXT. The Daytona R/T comes with performance independent front and load leveling rear suspension with height control while the SRT8 rides smoothly on high-performance lowered independent front and rear suspension.

The Charger comes loaded with ample safety features. All the trims come standard with advanced multistage airbags for driver and front passenger, which inflate according to the severity of the impact, child seat anchor system, and engine immobilizer. Supplemental side-curtains for front and rear outboard passengers are available as part of the Protection Group for SE, SXT, R/T and Daytona R/T while it is optional for the SRT8.

The SXT, R/T, Daytona R/T and SRT8 come standard with Electronic Stability Program (ESP) that includes 4-wheel antilock brakes with brake assist and all-speed traction control while it is optional for the SE. The traction control operates the brakes as well as the electronic throttle control and improves mobility and directional stability. The ESP monitors the steering angle, turning rate and lateral acceleration to determine vehicle behavior and maintain stability. The brake assist detects sudden braking and applies optimum brake pressure to help achieve minimum stopping distances.

The Dodge Charger is available with various packages. These are the Comfort Seating Group, Convenience Group I, II, and III, Electronics Convenience Group, Protection Group, Smoker’s Group, Sound Group II, and SRP Option Group I, II, and III. All these packages are available with different features on different trims.