On the track and on the street, the new 2006 Dodge Charger is sure to make an impression. Red as a Magnum and complete with a load of Dale Jr. attitude, the 2006 Dodge Charger looks to be quite a car. Dodge is not taking chances with this one, even giving it a nostalgic name that really, truly doesn't fit. The original Charger, after all, was not nearly as attractive and even had two gorgeous wings, whereas the new Charger sports four little doors. The original had that long snout -- and this one, well, looks suspiciously like the nose currently adorning the Dodge Magnum.
Ah. But wait. Dodge officials call it a "four door coupe," meaning that it looks like a coupe but is really a sedan. That's a bit like calling a horse a tall, non-milk-producing MENSA cow, but we'll go with it. After all, it's just good to see new cars with attitude as standard.
1965 Study
1965 Dodge Charger II study. With this study of the Dodge Charger II presented at the 1965 Chicago Auto Show, Dodge tested the visitors' response to a new styling that ushered in Dodge's future approach.
1966
The first year of production for the Dodge Charger was promising, with more than 30,000 orders. That would not last, however, as the Charger eventually fell out of favor by the mid-70s. Though the name lived on through, the true Charger had a life of 1966 - 1974. As one of the first mid-sized muscle cars, the 1966 Charger had more legroom than the competition, and boasted engines such as a standard 5.2-liter V8. There was also a 5.9-liter and a 6.3-liter engine that made 325-horsepower. There was also a 7.0-liter, 415-horsepower engine available. This was the HEMI, or hemispherical combustion chamber. The HEMI was discontinued in 1972.
1968
By 1968, the thrill was beginning to fade, though the vehicle was used for racing development. Though the name lived on through, the true Charger had a life of 1966 - 1974. As one of the first mid-sized muscle cars, the 1966 Charger had more legroom than the competition, and boasted engines such as a standard 5.2-liter V8. There was also a 5.9-liter and a 6.3-liter engine that made 325-horsepower. There was also a 7.0-liter, 415-horsepower engine available. This was the HEMI, or hemispherical combustion chamber. The HEMI was discontinued in 1972.
1969
By 1969, Charger orders were getting sparse, though the vehicle was used for racing development. Though the name lived on through, the true Charger had a life of 1966 - 1974. As one of the first mid-sized muscle cars, the 1966 Charger had more legroom than the competition, and boasted engines such as a standard 5.2-liter V8. There was also a 5.9-liter and a 6.3-liter engine that made 325-horsepower. There was also a 7.0-liter, 415-horsepower engine available. This was the HEMI, or hemispherical combustion chamber. The HEMI was discontinued in 1972.
1969
The high-winged Daytona was crazy, and was the result of racing development that started with 1968 Chargers. As it turned out, the Charger Daytona was the last hurrah of the Charger - until 2006, if you believe that this four-door version is true to the Charger line.
1971
The true Charger had a life of 1966 - 1974. As one of the first mid-sized muscle cars, the 1966 Charger had more legroom than the competition, and boasted engines such as a standard 5.2-liter V8. There was also a 5.9-liter and a 6.3-liter engine that made 325-horsepower. There was also a 7.0-liter, 415-horsepower engine available. This was the HEMI, or hemispherical combustion chamber. The HEMI was discontinued in 1972.
1975
By now, Charger orders were getting sparse, though the vehicle was used for racing development. Though the name lived on through, the true Charger had a life of 1966 - 1974. As one of the first mid-sized muscle cars, the 1966 Charger had more legroom than the competition, and boasted engines such as a standard 5.2-liter V8. There was also a 5.9-liter and a 6.3-liter engine that made 325-horsepower. There was also a 7.0-liter, 415-horsepower engine available. This was the HEMI, or hemispherical combustion chamber. The HEMI was discontinued in 1972.
1993
Some critics are calling this newest Dodge Charger more of an Intrepid in its design. You be the judge.
2006
After a 27-year hiatus, Dodge Charger returns to the Daytona International Speedway and Daytona Speedweeks this week with the introduction of a new limited-production 2006 Charger Daytona R/T model. Chrysler Group engineers have created more horsepower from the 5.7-liter HEMI V8, amping it up to 350-horsepower. The R/T also comes with a performance suspension package, 18-inch all-season P235/55 R18 performance tires, performance-tuned 9-land steering gear and self-leveling rear shock absorbers.
2006
Like the Chrysler 300/300C, the Charger features a 250-horsepower V-6 engine or a 340-horsepower Hemi engine, connected to 18-inch rear wheels powered by the famed Chrysler rear wheel drive platform. Chrysler executives claim that it boasts a "near" 50/50 weight distribution. Technology on the Charger is also the same as the Chrysler 300/300C, with a Multiple Displacement System (MDS) that deactivates four cylinders when needed. Chrysler people claim that this system saves up to 20 percent in fuel economy, a savings sure to be gobbled up by bright-eyed Boomers and NASCAR Dads, striving hard to lay down a nice patch. The 2006 Dodge Charger will be available this summer. Pricing has not yet been announced.
