American muscle is back and better than ever with the 2010 Dodge Charger->ke218 entering the new model year with a few minor updates. The refreshed Charger will feature changes like color matching side sills and a fresh chrome grill with black inserts as well as a few leading edge technologies, starting at $25,140 and climbing all the way up to $40,630 for the top of the line SRT8 version.

In addition to the legendary 5.7 Liter HEMI V8 powered Charger R/T, Chrysler will offer a Super Track Pack handling package that offers owners even more driving excitement with a set of sticky 20 inch Goodyear Eagle F1 Super Car tires, front and rear Nivomat self leveling shock absorbers, a larger rear stabilizer bar, a quicker 3.06 rear gear and a less intrusive Electronic Stability Control allowing the driver to have a bit more on throttle enjoyment.

The modern technologies include the ESC we mentioned previously and the new All Speed Traction Control which makes it possible to bring a 21st century muscle car to market with the ride and handling characteristics inherent of a rear wheel drive sports car thanks to outstanding performance and handling, a nearly 50/50 weight distribution over the front and rear axles as well as some unique suspension tuning to ensure driving excitement.

Press release after the jump.

2010 Dodge Charger

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2010 Dodge Charger
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Press release

The 2010 Dodge Charger is a modern, four-door coupe that combines rear-wheel-drive muscle-car power, sports-car handling, leading-edge technology and five-passenger comfort to deliver a thrilling, yet fuel-efficient driving experience.

Modern technologies including Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and All-speed Traction Control make it possible to bring a 21st-century muscle car to market with the ride and handling characteristics inherent in rear-wheel drive. 2010 Dodge Charger rear-wheel-drive models feature outstanding performance and handling, near 50-50 weight distribution and unique suspension tuning for driving excitement.

All-wheel-drive Dodge Charger models feature an active transfer case and front-axle disconnect. No other major manufacturer offers these two independent technologies together. The unique system seamlessly transitions between rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive with no driver intervention. When all-wheel drive is not required, the system automatically disconnects the front axle to maximize fuel economy while still providing the outstanding performance and handling inherent in rear-wheel drive.

For even more handling performance, the Road/Track Performance Group offers P245/45R20 all-season performance tires and 20-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels. Tuned for firmer handling, this package is available on the V-8 HEMI-powered Dodge Charger R/T model and includes performance heated front seats with suede inserts, rear deck-lid and front fascia spoilers, load-leveling and height-control shocks, and performance suspension, steering, brakes, exhaust and induction system.

In addition to the legendary 5.7-liter HEMI V-8-powered Dodge Charger R/T, a Super Track Pack handling package offers even more driving excitement with 20-inch Goodyear Eagle F1 Super Car tires, front and rear Nivomat self-leveling shock-absorbers, a larger rear stabilizer bar, a 3.06 rear-axle ratio and less-intrusive ESC.

The rear-wheel-drive Dodge Charger SE is equipped with a 2.7-liter V-6 engine generating 178 horsepower (133 kW) @ 5,500 rpm and 190 lb.-ft. (258 N•m) of torque @ 4,000 rpm. The Dodge Charger SE with the 2.7-liter engine achieves an estimated 18 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.

A 3.5-liter High Output V-6 engine featured on the rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive Dodge Charger SXT models generates 250 horsepower (186 kW) @ 6,400 rpm and 250 lb.-ft. (340 N•m) of torque @ 3,800 rpm. The Dodge Charger SXT rear-wheel-drive models with the 3.5-liter engine achieve an estimated 17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. The all-wheel-drive models achieve an estimated 17 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway.

The Dodge Charger R/T rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive models feature the new-generation 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine with a five-speed automatic transmission that produces an estimated 368 horsepower (274 kW) and 395 lb.-ft. (536 N•m) of torque. The new-generation 5.7-liter HEMI continues to offer fuel-saving MDS technology. MDS seamlessly turns off fuel consumption in four cylinders when V-8 power is not needed, improving fuel economy as much as 20 percent. To inform the driver when he or she is in four-cylinder mode, the EVIC now automatically displays “ECO” when the switch is made, providing drivers the opportunity to modify their driving habits in order to achieve better fuel economy. The Dodge Charger R/T all-wheel-drive achieves an estimated 16 mpg city, 23 highway, and rear-wheel-drive models achieve an estimated 16 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.

Dodge Charger SRT8


The 2010 Dodge Charger SRT8® packs all of the features and amenities expected of an excellent family sedan combined with benchmark performance delivered by Chrysler Street and Racing Technology (SRT) vehicles.

Key SRT ingredients that make up the Dodge Charger SRT8 include a 6.1-liter, 425-horsepower (317 kW) HEMI® V-8 that delivers 0-60 mph in the low 5-second range, quarter-mile time in less than 14 seconds, world-class ride and handling, benchmark braking using knockback mitigation software producing 60-0 mph stops in approximately 110 feet and 0.89 g on the skid pad. In addition, the Dodge Charger SRT8 accomplishes SRT’s signature performance test of 0-100-0 mph in less than 17 seconds.

SRT-inspired interior appointments in the 2010 Dodge Charger SRT8 start with Dark Slate Gray interior color seats with agate-color accent stitching, carbon-fiber-like leather-trim door handles and steering wheel, SRT logo on front-seat inserts and center console, and LED lighting in the front cup holders and front- and rear-door map pockets.

Befitting its high-performance character, the 2010 Dodge Charger SRT8 continues to provide power-adjustable, deeply sculpted and highly bolstered sport seats in the front, fitted with performance suede inserts to hold occupants during maneuvering. Rear seats have matching performance suede inserts.

Full instrumentation includes a 180-mph (300 kph) speedometer, a tachometer and a coolant temperature gauge. An LED display within the gauge cluster is driver configurable for oil-temperature, oil-pressure and tire-pressure readouts. The exclusive Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) with Performance Pages is available and provides drivers with instant feedback on 0-60 mph time, 60-0 mph braking, G-forces in addition to one-eighth mile and quarter-mile times.

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Specifications

ENGINE: 2.7-LITER DOHC 24-VALVE V-6

  • Availability Standard on Charger SE
  • Type and Description 60-degree bank angle, liquid-cooled, active dual-plenum intake manifold
  • Displacement 167 cu. in. (2736 cu. cm)
  • Bore x Stroke 3.38 x 3.09 (86 x 78.5)
  • Valve System SOHC, 24 valves, hydraulic end-pivot roller rocker arms
  • Fuel Injection Sequential, multi-port, electronic
  • Construction Semi-permanent, mold-aluminum block with cast-iron liners,
  • cross-bolted main bearing caps and cast-aluminum heads
  • Compression Ratio 9.7:1
  • Power (SAE net) 178 bhp (133 kW) @ 5,500 rpm (65.9 bhp/L)
  • Torque (SAE net) 190 lb.-ft. (258 N•m) @ 4,000 rpm
  • Max. Engine Speed 6,600 rpm (electronically limited)
  • Fuel Requirement Unleaded mid-grade, 89 octane (R+M)/2
  • Oil Capacity 6 qt. (5.7L) with dry filter
  • Coolant Capacity 9.5 qt. (9L)
  • Emission Controls Dual close-coupled three-way catalytic converters, quad-heated oxygen
  • sensors and internal engine features(a)
  • Max. Gross Trailer Weight 1,000 lbs. (954 kg)
  • EPA Fuel Economy mpg (City/Hwy) 18/26


ENGINE: 3.5-LITER HIGH OUTPUT SOHC 24-VALVE V-6

  • Availability Standard on Charger SXT (RWD/AWD)
  • Type and Description 60-degree bank angle, liquid-cooled, three-plenum intake manifold
  • with short-runner valves
  • Displacement 214.7 cu. in. (3518 cu. cm)
  • Bore x Stroke 3.78 x 3.19 (96 x 81)
  • Valve System SOHC, 24 valves, hydraulic, center-pivot roller rocker arms
  • Fuel Injection Sequential, multi-port, electronic
  • Construction Precision sand-cast mold-aluminum block with cast-in iron liners,
  • cross-bolted main bearing caps and cast-aluminum heads
  • Compression Ratio 9.9:1
  • Power (SAE net) 250 bhp (186 kW) @ 6,400 rpm (70.0 bhp/L)
  • Torque (SAE net) 250 lb.-ft. (340 N•m) @ 3,800 rpm
  • Max. Engine Speed 6,800 rpm (electronically limited)
  • Fuel Requirement Unleaded mid-grade, 89 octane (R+M)/2—Recommended,
  • unleaded regular, 87 octane (R+M)/2—Acceptable
  • Oil Capacity 6 qt. (5.7L) with dry filter
  • Coolant Capacity 10.3 qt. (9.75L)
  • Emission Controls Dual close-coupled three-way catalytic converters, quad-heated oxygen
  • sensors and internal engine features(b)
  • Max. Gross Trailer Weight 2,000 lbs. (907 kg)
  • EPA Fuel Economy mpg (City/Hwy) RWD—17/25; AWD—17/23


ENGINE: 5.7-LITER HEMI® MULTI-DISPLACEMENT V-8

  • Availability Standard on Charger R/T (RWD/AWD)
  • Type and Description 90-degree V-type, liquid-cooled with Variable-valve Timing (VVT)
  • Displacement 345 cu. in. (5654 cu. cm)
  • Bore x Stroke 3.92 x 3.58 (99.5 x 90.9)
  • Valve System Pushrod-operated overhead valves, 16 valves, eight deactivating
  • and eight conventional hydraulic lifters, all with roller followers
  • Fuel Injection Sequential, multi-port, electronic, returnless
  • Construction Deep-skirt cast-iron block with cross-bolted main bearing caps,
  • aluminum alloy heads with hemispherical combustion chambers
  • Compression Ratio 10.5:1
  • Power (SAE net) 368 bhp (274 kW) @ 5,200 rpm (64.6 bhp/L)—R/T
  • 372 bhp (277 kW) @ 5,200 rpm (65.3 bhp/L)—Road/Track Performance Group
  • Torque (SAE net) 395 lb.-ft. (536 N•m) @ 4,350 rpm—R/T
  • 400 lb.-ft. (542 N•m) @ 4,350 rpm—Road/Track Performance Group
  • Max. Engine Speed 5,800 rpm (electronically limited)
  • Fuel Requirement Unleaded premium, 89 octane (R+M)/2—Recommended,
  • unleaded regular, 87 octane (R+M)/2—Acceptable
  • Oil Capacity 7 qt. (6.6L)
  • Coolant Capacity 14.7 qt. (13.9L)
  • Emission Controls Dual close-coupled three-way catalytic converters,
  • quad-heated oxygen sensors and internal engine features(c)
  • Max. Gross Trailer Weight 2,000 lbs. (907 kg)
  • EPA Fuel Economy mpg (City/Hwy) RWD – 16/25; AWD – 16/23

ENGINE: 6.1-LITER, HEMI® V-8

  • Availability Standard
  • Type and Description 90-degree V-type, liquid-cooled
  • Displacement 370 cu. in. (6,059 cu. cm)
  • Bore x Stroke 4.06 x 3.58 (103.0 x 90.9)
  • Valve System Pushrod-operated overhead valves, 16 valves, eight conventional hydraulic
  • lifters, all with roller followers
  • Fuel Injection Sequential, multi-port, electronic, returnless
  • Construction Deep-skirt cast-iron block with cross-bolted main bearing caps,
  • aluminum alloy heads with hemispherical combustion chambers
  • Compression Ratio 10.3:1
  • Power (estimated SAE net) 425 bhp (317 kW) @ 6,200 rpm (69.8 bhp/L)
  • Torque (estimated SAE net) 420 lb.-ft. (569 N•m) @ 4,800 rpm
  • Max. Engine Speed 6,400 rpm (electronically limited)
  • Fuel Requirement Premium 91 octane (R+M)/2—recommended
  • Oil Capacity 7 qt. (6.6L)
  • Factory Oil Fill 5W-40 Synthetic
  • Coolant Capacity 14 qt. (13.25L)
  • Emission Controls Dual close-coupled three-way catalytic converters, quad-heated oxygen
  • sensors and internal engine features
  • Max. Gross Trailer Weight Not rated for trailer-tow
  • EPA Fuel Economy mpg (City/Hwy) 13/19


TRANSMISSION: FOUR-SPEED AUTOMATIC

  • Availability Standard on Charger SE and SXT RWD
  • Description Three planetary gearsets, one overrunning clutch, full electronic control,
  • electronically controlled torque converter clutch, Variable-line Pressure (VLP)
  • Gear Ratios
  • 1st 2.84
  • 2nd 1.57
  • 3rd 1.00
  • 4th 0.69
  • Reverse 2.21
  • Final-drive Ratio 2.7L = 3.90
  • 3.5L = 3.64
  • Overall Top-gear 2.7L = 2.70
  • 3.5L = 3.02


TRANSMISSION: AUTOMATIC FIVE-SPEED OVERDRIVE WITH AUTO STICK

  • Availability Standard on Charger SXT (AWD) and R/T (RWD/AWD)
  • Description Adaptive electronic control or Auto Stick driver-interactive manual control
  • and electronically modulated torque converter clutch—SE and SXT;
  • Enhanced Auto Stick with reduced transmission shift times—R/T
  • Gear Ratios
  • 1st 3.58
  • 2nd 2.19
  • 3rd 1.41
  • 4th 1.00
  • 5th 0.83
  • Reverse 3.17
  • Final-drive Ratio 5.7L (RWD)—2.65
  • 5.7L (Road/Track Performance Group)—3.06
  • 3.5L and 5.7L (AWD)—3.06
  • Overall Top-gear 5.7L (RWD)—2.20
  • 5.7L (Road/Track Performance Group)—2.54
  • 3.5L and 5.7L (AWD)—2.54


DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES

  • Wheelbase 120.0 (3048)
  • Track, Front 63.0 (1600)
  • Track, Rear 63.1 (1604)
  • Overall Length 200.1 (5082)
  • Overall Width 74.5 (1891)
  • Overall Height 58.2 (1479)
  • With SDAR Antenna 58.8 (1494)
  • Ground Clearance 3.5L—5.18 (131.7), 5.7L Fully Loaded—5.13 (130.3)
  • Frontal Area, sq. ft. (sq. m) 25.4 (2.36)
  • Drag Coefficient (RWD) SE—0.330, SXT—0.336, R/T—0.345
  • (AWD) TBD
  • Curb Weight, lb. (kg)
  • RWD SE—3,728 (1694.5)
  • RWD SXT—3,783 (1719.5)
  • RWD R/T—4,085 (1856.8)
  • AWD SXT—4,062 (1846.4)
  • AWD R/T—4,268 (1940.0)
  • Weight Distribution, percent F/R
  • 53/47—SE/SXT RWD
  • 54/46—R/T RWD
  • 55/45—SXT and R/T AWD


ACCOMMODATIONS

  • Seating Capacity, F/R 2/3
  • Front
  • Head room 38.7 (983)
  • Leg room 41.8 (1061)
  • Shoulder room 59.3 (1505)
  • Hip room 56.2 (1427)
  • Seat travel Driver—10.6 (270), passenger—8.66 (22)
  • Recliner angle range, deg. Driver—70, passenger—69
  • SAE front-volume index, cu. ft. (cu. m) 55.5 (1.57)
  • Rear Seat
  • Head room 36.2 (919.5)
  • Leg room 40.2 (1020)
  • Knee clearance 4.5 (114.2)
  • Shoulder room 57.6 (1464)
  • Hip room 55.5 (1409)
  • SAE rear-seat volume index, cu. ft. (cu. m) 48.5 (1.37)
  • Total Interior Volume, cu. ft. (cu. m) 104.0 (2.94)
  • SAE Cargo Volume, cu. ft. (cu. m) 16.2 (0.46)
  • EPA Interior Volume Index, cu. ft. (cu. m) 120.2 (3.40)
  • Trunk Lift-over Height 30.1 (765.1)


SUSPENSION

  • Front Independent SLA with high upper “A” arm, coil spring over gas-charged shock absorbers and stabilizer bar—Standard
  • Lateral and diagonal lower links with dual ball joint knuckles—Standard Lower “A” arm—Standard with AWD
  • Rear Five-link independent with coil springs, gas-charged shock absorbers and isolated suspension cradle—Standard all Nivomat self-leveling shock absorbers—Optional with Road/Track Performance Group Link-type stabilizer bar—Optional with 18-inch or 20-inch wheels and AWD models

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Price and options

Trim Price
SE $25,140
SXT $26,900
SXT H Package $29,345
R/T $32,120
R/T P Package $34,215
R/T R Package $36,785
SRT8 $40,630

Options

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Brake Assist $1,025
Engine Block Heater $40
18-inch machined aluminum $325
18-inch chrome-clad aluminum (with rear spoiler on SXT; with Popular Equipment Group on R/T $950
Power Sunroof $950
Rear body-color spoiler $225
Media Center 430 CD/DVD/MP3 Radio $725
Media Center 730N CD/DVD/HDD/NAV radio $1,625
High-Intensity Discharge Headlamps $695
245/45ZR20 BSW Performance Tires $400
Super Track Pak $400
SRT Option Group II—Includes Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) with Performance Pages,

KICKER® audio system, 200-watt subwoofer, 322-watt amplifier with Driver Selectable Surround (DSS) sound,
security alarm, Uconnect Multimedia, Uconnect Phone $1,890
SRT Option Group III—Includes Uconnect Phone and Uconnect Navigation $1,635

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Competitors and press reviews

"The seats in our SXT tester were covered in leather front and rear and clearly contoured for the increasingly broad average American backside. Following a relatively straight trajectory, the front seats were comfortable with a manually adjustable lumbar support and power adjustments for angles of both the seat back and lower cushion as well as fore-aft location. For those whose proportions of leg-to-arm length might not match whatever standard size the interior designers selected, there is also switch on the side of the driver's seat that allows the entire pedal cluster to be adjusted for distance from the seat." (AutoBlog)

"In a recent comparison test, we pitted a Charger R/T against Pontiac’s new G8. The Charger finished second to the newer Pontiac but drew raves for its handsome exterior styling, supportive front seats, and easy-to-use controls. The Charger fell behind the G8 in steering feel and long stopping distances. The 2008 Charger R/T in the comparo was slower to accelerate to 60 mph than the G8, but a power upgrade for the 5.7-liter Hemi (up 28 hp for 2009) should help close the gap." (CarAndDriver)

Competitors

Chevrolet Impala->ke1792

The 2010 Chevrolet Impala is available in four trims: LS, LT, LTZ and the sporty SS. The LS and LT models are powered by a 3,5 liter V6 engine that delivers a total of 211 hp and 214 lb.-ft. of torque. The LTZ gets a 3.9L V-6 engine with 224 hp and 235 lb.-ft. of torque and the SS is powered by a 5.3L all-aluminum small-block V-8 engine that delivers a total of 303 hp and 323 lb.-ft. of torque. Prices start at $29,730.

Chrysler 300

The Chrysler 300C rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive models are powered by a new-generation 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine with a five-speed automatic transmission that produces 360 hp and 389 lb.-ft. of torque. The Chrysler 300 LX is powered by a 2.7-liter V-6 engine providing 178 hp and 190 lb.-ft.of torque. Prices start at $28,010.

Hyundai Genesis

The 2010 Hyundai Genesis is offered with a choice of two engines: a 3.8 Liter DOHC Lambda V6 engine that delivers a maximum output of 290 HP and 264 lb-ft of torque and a 4.6 Liter Tau V8 engine delivers a maximum of 375 HP. Prices start at $33,800 for the base model 3.8L V6 powered version and $40,300 for the more powerful 4.6L V8 version.

Conclusion

The 2010 Dodge Charger comes with a superb exterior styling, while the interior offers high quality materials with a more appealing texture and instruments are larger and easy to read. But besides that the car is offering a poor fuel economy (16 mpg on the city and 25 mph on the highway).