The Dodge Charger has appeared in three different platforms since it was produced in 1966. The first was a pony car produced from 1966-1978, the second was a subcompact car made from 1983-1987, and the third and final version is the current sports sedan which began production in 2006. The Charger combines Hemi power with rear-wheel drive and an independent rear suspension.
The current model is powered by a choice of four different engines, but the obvious choice would be the top of the line 6.1L V8 providing 425HP and 420 lb-ft of torque. Other options include a 178HP, 190 lb-ft of torque 2.7L V6 engine, a 250HP, 250 lb-ft of torque 3.5L V6, and a 368/372HP, 391/401 lb-ft of torque 5.7L V8 engine. These engines are mated to either a 4- or 5-speed automatic transmission.
Here’s some more bad news for the bad guys out there: Chrysler has unveiled the 2011 Charger Pursuit and will begin taking orders for them in September. The new car combines tactical technology, safety, power, efficiency, and an iconic design.
The 2011 Charger Pursuit comes with performance suspension tuning, heavy-duty anti-lock vented-disc brakes (ABS), front- and rear-stabilizer bars, 18-inch performance tires on steel wheels, and two-mode police-specific Electronic Stability Control (ESC). The interior will get a Police Interface Module for easy equipment integration, police-duty front seats, column-mounted automatic transmission with Auto Stick, red/white LED interior lighting for night-vision equipment, and more. Adding to the safety of the vehicle will be multistage driver and front-passenger air bags, seat-mounted side-thorax air bags, supplemental side-curtain air bags for front and rear outboard passengers, driver’s knee bag, tire-pressure monitoring, and more.
The 2011 Dodge Charger Pursuit is powered by an all-new standard E-85 capable 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine with variable-valve timing (VVT) and available legendary 5.7-liter HEMI™ V-8 engine with fuel-saving Multi-displacement System (MDS).
How do you guys think the Dodge Charger Pursuit will hold up against the 2011 Chevrolet Caprice Police Car? Hit us up in the comments section below.
UPDATE 09/24/2011: During a recent test drive, the Dodge Charger Pursuit established a new record time at Michigan State Police’s (MSP) annual Police Vehicle Evaluation tests. The car ran the Grattan Raceway in an impressive time of 1:33.70.
That wasn’t the only feat either. The new Charger Pursuit also scored impressive sprint times during its evaluation: 0-to-60 mph in 5.83 seconds, 0-to-70 mph in 7.38 seconds, 0-to-80 mph in 9.18 seconds, 0-to-90 mph in 11.43 seconds, and 0-to-100 mph in 13.65 seconds.
Press release after the jump.
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Who would’ve thought that in a world of spy photos and teaser shots, you’re going to find the first image of a new vehicle – in this case, the next-generation Dodge Charger in, of all things, a t-shirt.
The scene was the Mopar Nationals at the National Trail Raceway in Columbus, Ohio last weekend. In celebration of its 30th anniversary, the event caught the attention of auto scribes because of something that was printed on the T-shirts that were being given out during the weekend. It might take a closer look at the tee, but once you scan the printed graphic on it, you might notice the rear end – the distinct rear light bar, to be more specific - of a car that looks suspiciously like a Dodge Charger.
Nobody knows who was behind the graphic design of the shirt, but given that it was in fact included with the rest of the regulars at Mopar gives credence to the growing rumor that the new Dodge Charger may very well inching closer and closer to reality.
With the 2011 Dodge Charger’s debut only a few months away, even more spy shots have come in, and it seems as if the new Charger has shed some clothing. And if that isn’t enough, ninjas even got some interior shots.
The new Charger seems to be a bit more edgy than before, with big alloys and detailed headlamps. Sporting a ram head logo, the spied car differentiates from the double stripe logo that the division says will make the future vehicles stand apart from the separated Ram trucks division.
Expected to hit the market at the end of 2010 as a 2011 model, the more aggressive Charger will fit into Chrysler’s new five-year product announcement. The new Charger will sport Chrysler’s new V6, with a V8 in the R/T version. A later SRT8 version is expected to be powered by a massive 450-hp 6.4 liter V8.
With production set to start in October, expect prices in the $25,000+ range.
Just last month, Dodge president Ralph Gilles talked a little about the future of Dodge’s vehicles, stating that the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee was just the beginning of Dodge’s plans. Today, a reader was able to catch another glimpse into their future with a photo taken of the backend of the 2011 Dodge Charger. He was able to catch the muscle car taking a break from its testing in Florida and, although it is still bandaged up, could see some revised taillights and some hid headlights. The reader was able to take a peek on the inside and that revealed a unique two-tone leather interior that he said “looked upscale for a Dodge.”
In last month’s discussion, Gilles mentioned that the company was looking into a “higher-power version of the Pentastar V-6 with unique power rating” for the 2011 Dodge Charger. The sounds coming from the exhaust of the test vehicle assured us that a higher power version was found and utilized. Another interesting feature our reader noticed was the square cutouts in the bumper housing the dual exhaust which is similar to the feature found on the Chevrolet Camaro.
See anything else? Let us know in the comments section below.
During a conference room table in Chrysler Group LLC’s headquarters, Ralph Gilles talked about Dodge’s future. According to him, the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is just the beginning. It will be followed by a slew of new or redesigned vehicles.
He said that the new Charger and a new crossover will arrive this fall while a new Durango will arrive this November, but most likely featuring a new name. A new Viper is also a possibility for 2012, so it seems the company has "a lot going on." For the new Charger the company is looking to get "a higher-power version of the Pentastar V-6 with unique power rating."
"The brand is becoming hipper already. And the brand is getting controversial, in a good way. We’re really starting to smell different, act different. We showed up a few weeks ago at the super bike event in Utah. We had a drift competition and hundreds, thousands of people were lining up for these thrill rides."
Part of the interview after the jump.
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