2006 Dodge Charger R/T Daytona Road & Track Test

The Muscle Car Era Reborn

I'm drawn to the new Daytona in an almost animalistic way. Kind of like the pure but powerful Leeloo of the film The Fifth

I'll be honest, I'm drawn to the new Dodge Daytona in an almost animalistic way. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

Element, played by the lovely Milla Jovovich. Maybe it's her orange hair that reminds me of the Daytona's "Go Man Go!" metallic orange paint, or the matte black decal package that most carmakers wouldn't have the gall to offer on the aftermarket let alone as standard equipment.

Yes, I can hear the pens of environmentalists scribbling mad rants of protest as I write, because unlike Leeloo there's nothing pure and undefiled about the Daytona, unless unadulterated, ego-centric muscle is to be revered. Sure it features Chrysler Group's Multi-Displacement System (MDS), which shuts off four of the 5.7-litre HEMI engine's eight cylinders when cruising under light loads, in effect reducing fuel consumption and therefore harmful emissions by up to 20 percent, but it's an overhead valve V8 and what possible

The Charger, especially in overindulgent Daytona trim, is the epitome of old world thinking combined with new-age technologies. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

redeeming value could a lump like that offer?

Right. As if I'm going to listen to some bleeding heart liberals tell me that there's no place in the world for V8-powered muscle cars... not likely. These are the same types that would find Milla Jovovich too feminine, or Bruce Willis, who plays the affable Dallas Corbin in the same movie, too macho.

I liked the world before women had to be manly in order to feel equal, before men had to show they could cry in order to be trusted. And the Charger, especially in overindulgent Daytona trim, is the epitome of old world thinking combined with new-age technologies.