2006 Dodge Charger Road & Track Test

Making MDS possible is a host of new developments, including high-speed electronic controls, sophisticated algorithms

MDS increases fuel economy by up to 20 percent while still delivering all of the engine's 340-horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque when called upon. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

controlling the systems and the integration of electronic throttle control. As a result Chrysler Group reports a deactivation and activation process that needs only 40 milliseconds (0.040 seconds) to transition from eight-cylinders to four or vice versa. I have to concur, it's seamless.

So how does it work? Essentially MDS deactivates the valve lifters in four of theV8's cylinders (1, 7, 4 and 6), resulting in four closed valves and zero combustion in half the cylinders. Fortunately the "dead" cylinders don't drag energy from the working four, due to air being pumped through those cylinders temporarily out of action.

There's yet more technology integrated into each new Charger, but with time and space considerations in mind I'll only add in a couple more items. First, the car's optional navigation system is relatively simple to setup

The car's optional navigation system is relatively simple to setup and use, plus features a large, color display. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

and use, plus features a large, color display. Screens in mind, an optional DVD entertainment system can be purchased, turning the comfortable rear seats into a movie theatre. The unit fits into the rear half of the centre console, tucking neatly out of the way when not in use.

Those rear seats are truly expansive, by the way, making the sedan feel more limousine-like than most in its class. Headroom is plentiful, as is space around the hips and shoulders, and you'd need to be pretty tall to fill the foot wells. The same goes for front seat room, and if you're planning on filling up the trunk you'd better plan for a half dozen trips from the house to the garage with arms full - at 16.2 cubic feet it's even larger than the Chrysler 300's.