The 2006 Dodge Charger

[DMAG]

written by E8502 courtesy of Allpar.com, updated 11/18/04, Please don't post these photos without the story, post a link to this story!





"Steel Silver" Charger Chop by E8502

The Dodge Charger will be shown in January 2005 at the North American International Auto Show, with production slated for February-March of next year, on dealer lots by mid April. The NASCAR Version will SHOW up at the Daytona 500 in February, according to Detroit News.

The new Dodge Charger, which will be a 2006 model, is based on the LX (Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum) platform. While the front door area, hood line and windshield are similar, sources report that little sheet metal is shared between the 300/Magnum and the Charger. Chrysler engineers note that changing the "beltline" (where the metal reaches the passenger windows) would be very expensive, as would other major sheet metal changes. That's why the Magnum and 300 are so close. However, the beltline aft the front doors on the Charger differs FROM the 300 sedan, and creates a small rear door window.

Unlike past Chargers, the 2006 model will be a traditional four door sedan, with regular doors as found on the 300 or Magnum. The front end is high, with the leading edge located at the hood line near the headlights and grill. Headlights on the car will be rather large - almost truck-like - with dark surrounds to give a, "smoked out" aftermarket look. The grill, a traditional Dodge crosshair (chrome on the Hemi model), adorns the blunt front end. The looks are bound to be controversial - but just as the 300 looks better in person, we're going to save criticism for the real thing.

With regard to performance, Popular Mechanics moved the 300C FROM 0-60 in 6.12 seconds. We'd expect the Charger to be just a little faster, thanks to (we assume) lower weight FROM fewer options and less soundproofing, and (we hope) more performance-oriented engine and exhaust tuning. It should be noted that the SRT-8 version will sprint to 60 in under 5 seconds.

The rear end will bear a strong resemblance to the Super8 Hemi concept FROM a few years back, as well as the LH based 300M. Some other notable design clues are the rear fenders, which rise up over the rear wheel wells and flow INTO the rather large taillights. The rear doors are somewhat hidden looking, so the overall feel of the car is reminiscent of a coupe. The roof line slopes towards the rear window (unlike the 300C), also contributing to the coupe-like profile. Visibility appears to be good, as the rear window glass area is larger then that on the Chrysler 300.

Ward's believes that a six-speed manual transmission will be used on the SRT-8 (Dayonta?), but that seems unlikely to Allpar. Chrysler is using six-speed manuals on many trucks (standardizing on six speeds for 2005 models).

The base engine will be the 3.5 liter V6, with an optional 5.7L Hemi V8, but not the 2.7L. Only the SRT-8 version will have the 6.1L V8 FROM the Chrysler 300C SRT-8. The SRT-8 (or Daytona) model is said to have 0-60 numbers of under 5 seconds, with handling comparable to the base 2004 Corvette automatic. It's worth noting that even the classic 1968-71 Chargers had a slant six and 318 available on base models, with the 440 standard only on R/T and Daytona... And the Hemi only available as an option

Criticism has already begun, centered largely around the number of doors; the Charger seems controversial, but as with the 1993 Ram pickups, if only 1/3 of the people love it and 2/3 hate it, they'll still gain share. The Intrepid was popular, but only sold about half as well as the smaller, blander Camry, and failed to match its American rivals in later years. If the Charger does well, look for other names to come back - Challenger is reportedly under consideration along with Daytona, as well as 'Cuda and Road Runner.

The Dodge Charger Daytona:

The original Dodge Charger spawned a 200-mph supercar, the Charger Daytona. Meant for NASCAR, it was essentially farmed out to another company which modified the standard Charger R/T with a special front clip, massive spoiler, and other aerodynamic modifications. We have a full page of information on the original. However, rumor has it that a new Dodge Charger Daytona, just a coupe version of the 2006 Charger, will also hit the streets. It would be more Dodge Daytona (remember those K-derived sports cars? They were pretty good for their time) than Charger Daytona. It's also possible that the Daytona name will be reserved for a 6.1-powered PVO version, though there's no way of knowing, and it seems more likely they'd just call it Dodge Charger SRT-8.

[jhrody]

sounding like I may have to wait on the Mag... maybe get this instead.

[JT]

An article and some very nice C/D penned illustrations are in the October Car
and Driver Magazine. PG. 48 to 51 and the cover.

[E8502]

An article and some very nice C/D penned illustrations are in the October Car
and Driver Magazine. PG. 48 to 51 and the cover.

And Allpar knew this stuff months ago... :?

[bigdaddyoc]

I just got my wife to agree to take the magnum so I can get one of these when they come out...now isn't that going to be a nice family of cars in the driveway. She not only agreed but said she'd love to have my magnum! This should be interesting.....

[henry]

Yes, that's what it looks like, more or less except the samples I saw were in Inferno Red.

[E8502]

Yes, that's what it looks like, more or less.

Yep. 8)

[Rev.Hammer]

Hey OC... I wish my wife was interested in swapping!.......cars that is!

[Pablovision]

It does look good but for some reason the centre section reminds me of a 72 Ford Maverick. At least it's the 2 door one that it looks like, the 4 door Maverick was on hugly vehicle.

Paul.

[rcktpwrd]

it looks pretty cool

but the front reminds me a lot of the new '05 Mustang....

[Porkanbeans]

Jayski has some photos of Casey Mears testing the new NASCAR Charger. You can't really put much together FROM this except for what the grille and nose configuration will look like.

Check out http://jayski.thatsracin.com/schemes/2005cup.htm for more pics.

Great site y'all have here.

[E8502]

Jayski has some photos of Casey Mears testing the new NASCAR Charger. You can't really put much together FROM this except for what the grille and nose configuration will look like.

Check out http://jayski.thatsracin.com/schemes/2005cup.htm for more pics.

Great site y'all have here.

Welcome to the forum!

[chrgr]

The Chief Engineer of the new Dodge Charger will be taking questions in a live chat on Thursday night 9pm ET/6pm ET. Chat with Burke Brown, Chrysler Group's Chief Engineer of the Rear-wheel-drive Platform Team, about the all-new 2006 Dodge Charger. http://www.edmunds.com/townhall/chat...hat011305.html (no registration needed for the chat)