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.
Great ideas that come at the wrong place or the wrong time should always be shelved for future use. Case in point, Dodge brought out the Challenger Blacktop Concept at the 2008 SEMA Auto Show and have now decided to bring it back as an optional package for their Charger at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Chrysler has yet to announce pricing for this package, but they have announced that it will be available with an optional Beats Audio system.
The new Dodge Charger Blacktop is all about the black. It gets tinted windows, black wheels borrowed from the Challenger SRT8, as well as the sleek black exterior paint job. The muscle car’s LED rear tail light has also been smoked and the dual exhaust system is made of aluminum silver.
The interior of the Charger continues with the black theme and adds a new Beats audio system that consists of three 3.5-inch speakers located in the instrument panel, two 3.5-inch speakers located in the rear doors, two 6 x 9-inch front-door woofers that provide bass, two 6 x 9-inch speakers, and a center-mounted 8-inch speaker located in the rear-shelf area that provide full-range audio.
It wasn’t that long ago when Dodge’s aftermarket department, Mopar, introduced us to the Charger SRT8 Super Bee at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show.
Now that we’re few weeks away from the 2012 North American International Auto Show, Dodge is preparing another special edition version for their resident sports/muscle car.
Ladies and gentlemen, say hello to the Mopar-tuned Dodge Charger Redline.
To make it different from a lot of tuned programs we’ve seen lately, Mopar divided the Charger Redline’s program into three different stages - I to III - that all tackle just about everything and anything you see in, around, and under the sports car. These three programs allow customers to have a full breadth of choices on what kind of program they’d want on their Charger.
"Since the 1960s, the Mopar Brand has built a long history of adding power and performance to the Dodge Charger – and with the Redline, we Moparized the new Charger with modern-day performance and style while giving a nod to our storied past," said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC’s service, parts and customer-care brand.
"With three kits, Mopar offers a tailored choice for every customer."
Find out more about the 2012 Dodge Charger Redline by Mopar after the jump
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Dodge is bringing back its Super Bee package for one more nostalgic round in the hands of the brand’s ever-popular Charger muscle car. The Super Bee designation was first placed on a 1968 Coronet model before it was moved on over to the Charger model in 1971. It then took a long hiatus before it was applied once again, this time on the Charger SRT8 Super Bee model in 2006, 2007, and 2008. And now the Super Bee name will be offered once again for the 2012 model year.
"The 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 Super Bee is a salute to the fun-loving past of Dodge muscle cars powered by the legendary 392 HEMI V-8 in a back-to-basics performance machine," Ralph Gilles, President and CEO - SRT and Motorsports said.
The special Dodge Charger SRT8 Super Bee is set to make its world debut next week at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show.
UPDATE 11/09/2011: This review has been updated to include the official specifications for the 2012 Charger SRT8 Super Bee.
UPDATE 11/14/2011: Chrysler has finally unveiled more images of the 2012 Charger SRT8 Super Bee set to be revealed in just two days in Los Angeles.
Hit the jump to read more about the Dodge Charger SRT8 Super Bee.
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SEMA is different from just about every other major auto show on the planet. Its purpose is to shift focus from the automakers to the aftermarket companies that have become popular because of their custom works on some of the world’s most popular vehicles. Sure, some brands will be at the 2011 SEMA Auto Show showing off their works too, but for the most part, they share equal billing with the tuning companies.
Many vehicles had their time to shine in the SEMA spotlight, but none more so than the plethora of Camaros and Mustangs - and even the Mopar-tuned Challenger. Every year, there’s a number of muscle cars that are given the royal treatment in terms of tuning, and this year has been no different. Maybe it’s the Americans’ obsession with good ol’ fashioned muscle, or maybe it’s the fact that all of the major muscle car makers are US born and bred. Either way, it was muscle car mania in Vegas, and we were there to take them all in.
Check out our list of SEMA muscle cars after the jump!
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Hurst, Street Scene Equipment, Dodge, and SEMA have teamed up to build a custom Dodge Charger that will be auctioned on eBay with all proceeds going to SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund. The auction ends on October 28, 2011, just in time for the winner to take advantage of the additional SEMA ticket prize. This particular Dodge Charger will actually be the only one Hurst will customize this year.
The Dodge Charger Hurst Edition will be equipped with Hurst wheels and tires, an Eibach suspension setup, a Flowmaster exhaust, and Hurst badges for the exterior. The badges will also find their way inside of the car, along with Katzkin leather interior with red and black Hurst logos in the headrests, a Hurst shifter, Hurst floor mats from Star West, and a Grant steering wheel. The list of equipment will include an 8.4" Uconnect Touch infotainment system and a navigation/Rear back up camera.
Under the hood, the Hurst Charger will feature a 5.7L Hemi V8 Engine with fuel saver technology that delivers a total of 370 HP and 395 lbs-ft of torque and 16/25 mpg.
