Gripenfelter
09-21-2004, 08:01 AM
http://www.caranddriver.com/assets/image/8302004124915.jpg
http://www.caranddriver.com/assets/image/8302004125327.jpg
SEPTEMBER 21, 2004
2006 Dodge Charger
1 2 3
(continued)
Like the 300 and the wagon, the Charger's aggressive, bull-nosed look is enhanced by a limited front overhang, a benefit of a rear-drive design. However, even though the profiles of the 300 and Charger will be similar, our spies tell us the new sedan will share no—repeat no—sheetmetal with its Chrysler counterpart or, for that matter, with the Magnum wagon.
The Powertrain
Like the original, the new Charger will offer the option of Hemi power—make that reborn-in-'03 Hemi power. The standard engine will be a 3.5-liter V-6 (250 horsepower, 250 pound-feet), with the 5.7 Hemi V-8 (340 horsepower, 390 pound-feet) as an option. The base Magnum's 2.7-liter V-6 (190 horsepower, 190 pound-feet) won't be offered in the Charger. The transmission with the Hemi will be a five-speed automatic (Mercedes-designed and Kokomo, Indiana-built) with manumatic capability, a.k.a. AutoStick. A four-speed AutoStick will come with the V-6.
So far, so good. But here's where the original Charger parallel may break down. In '66, the Hemi Charger was the hottest ride in the Chrysler garage. Not that the new Hemi Charger will be slow, despite an anticipated curb weight in the region of two tons. A 300C we tested in May tipped the scales at 4140 pounds but still hustled to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds.
Still, it appears the real hot rod on this platform will wear Chrysler badges. Unveiled in August at the Monterey Historic Automobile Races, the Chrysler 300C SRT-8 will get a new 6.1-liter version of the Hemi V-8, generating 425 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. With the extra muscle come a firmer suspension and more aggressive rubber—hallmarks of an SRT treatment.
None of these goodies will be offered as Charger options, at least not initially. On the other hand, when the Charger goes on sale next spring, the Hemi version will undoubtedly be priced about the same as the Hemi-powered Magnum R/T, which starts just under $30,000, some three grand south of the 300C. Since we already regard the 300C as one of the best performance-sedan bargains on the market today, the Charger figures to be a strong contender for the absolute title.
2006 DODGE CHARGER
Vehicle type: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
Estimated base price: $26,000-$30,000
Engines: SOHC 24-valve 3.5-liter V-6, 250 hp, 250 lb-ft; pushrod 16-valve 5.7-liter V-8, 340 hp, 390 lb-ft
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transmissions: 4- or 5-speed automatic with manumatic shifting
Wheelbase: 120.0 in
Length/width/height: 197.0/75.5/57.5 in
Curb weight: 4100 lb
C/D-estimated performance (V-8):
Zero to 60 mph: 5.3 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 13.4 sec
Standing 1/4-mile: 13.9 sec
Top speed (governor limited): 130 mph
Projected fuel economy (C/D est):
EPA city driving: 17-19 mpg
EPA highway driving: 25-27 mpg
The spy pics:
http://www.kettering.edu/~mcca6392/chrg_1.jpg
http://www.kettering.edu/~mcca6392/chrg_2.jpg
http://www.caranddriver.com/assets/image/8302004125327.jpg
SEPTEMBER 21, 2004
2006 Dodge Charger
1 2 3
(continued)
Like the 300 and the wagon, the Charger's aggressive, bull-nosed look is enhanced by a limited front overhang, a benefit of a rear-drive design. However, even though the profiles of the 300 and Charger will be similar, our spies tell us the new sedan will share no—repeat no—sheetmetal with its Chrysler counterpart or, for that matter, with the Magnum wagon.
The Powertrain
Like the original, the new Charger will offer the option of Hemi power—make that reborn-in-'03 Hemi power. The standard engine will be a 3.5-liter V-6 (250 horsepower, 250 pound-feet), with the 5.7 Hemi V-8 (340 horsepower, 390 pound-feet) as an option. The base Magnum's 2.7-liter V-6 (190 horsepower, 190 pound-feet) won't be offered in the Charger. The transmission with the Hemi will be a five-speed automatic (Mercedes-designed and Kokomo, Indiana-built) with manumatic capability, a.k.a. AutoStick. A four-speed AutoStick will come with the V-6.
So far, so good. But here's where the original Charger parallel may break down. In '66, the Hemi Charger was the hottest ride in the Chrysler garage. Not that the new Hemi Charger will be slow, despite an anticipated curb weight in the region of two tons. A 300C we tested in May tipped the scales at 4140 pounds but still hustled to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds.
Still, it appears the real hot rod on this platform will wear Chrysler badges. Unveiled in August at the Monterey Historic Automobile Races, the Chrysler 300C SRT-8 will get a new 6.1-liter version of the Hemi V-8, generating 425 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. With the extra muscle come a firmer suspension and more aggressive rubber—hallmarks of an SRT treatment.
None of these goodies will be offered as Charger options, at least not initially. On the other hand, when the Charger goes on sale next spring, the Hemi version will undoubtedly be priced about the same as the Hemi-powered Magnum R/T, which starts just under $30,000, some three grand south of the 300C. Since we already regard the 300C as one of the best performance-sedan bargains on the market today, the Charger figures to be a strong contender for the absolute title.
2006 DODGE CHARGER
Vehicle type: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
Estimated base price: $26,000-$30,000
Engines: SOHC 24-valve 3.5-liter V-6, 250 hp, 250 lb-ft; pushrod 16-valve 5.7-liter V-8, 340 hp, 390 lb-ft
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transmissions: 4- or 5-speed automatic with manumatic shifting
Wheelbase: 120.0 in
Length/width/height: 197.0/75.5/57.5 in
Curb weight: 4100 lb
C/D-estimated performance (V-8):
Zero to 60 mph: 5.3 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 13.4 sec
Standing 1/4-mile: 13.9 sec
Top speed (governor limited): 130 mph
Projected fuel economy (C/D est):
EPA city driving: 17-19 mpg
EPA highway driving: 25-27 mpg
The spy pics:
http://www.kettering.edu/~mcca6392/chrg_1.jpg
http://www.kettering.edu/~mcca6392/chrg_2.jpg