This technology has been working very well in DaimlerChrysler's Hemi powered products of late. It's quite imperceptible in its operation while
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| I was quite taken with the vehicle's operational refinement and high level of civility. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
delivering upward of a 15 per cent increase in fuel efficiency and a corresponding reduction in emissions - something that should make R/T ownership slightly less objectionable to Green Party types. But let's be frank here, one doesn't buy a HEMI-powered sedan to exemplify an environmental consciousness or a philosophy of sustainability, this sort of purchase is fuelled by a passion for muscle cars, plain and simple. Mixed in with the passion may be the need to seat five occupants and haul their belongings, hence the Charger's decent trunk size, four doors and folding rear seat backs.
But rather than debate purchase motivators, let's talk performance. The Charger R/T is the quintessential iron fist in a silk glove. I was quite taken with the vehicle's operational refinement and high level of civility. Ah, but one ought not to allow themselves to be hoodwinked by a smooth ride and hushed cabin; blistering performance percolates just beneath the surface. Sending the throttle in search of the carpet instantly replaces serenity with a deep HEMI growl and a burst of forward motion capable of propelling the Charger R/T from 0 to 100 km/h in the range of 6 scant seconds. Compelling acceleration is on-tap from any speed, which enables confident highway passing and merging. Experiencing this kind of straight-line performance in such a large sedan really does transport one back to yesteryear when American iron was big and gas was cheap.
But the trip back in time is only a partial one; there is nothing retro in the R/T's handling characteristics. In fact, the brawny sedan corners smartly
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| The R/T upgrade adds 18-inch performance rubber and specially tuned suspension dampers. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
and holds the road remarkably well given its generous ride comfort. The boys at Dodge obviously spent a good deal of time in front of their CAD screens and at the track tailoring a suspension setup that doesn't sacrifice at either end of the ride-handling continuum. Dodge claims that the Charger's road-gripping adhesion is achieved with the use of a high-mounted upper-control arm that places the upper ball joint above the tire. This arrangement provides suspension articulation that helps keep the tire perpendicular to the road. At the rear, the Charger features a 5-link setup, which according to Dodge maintains independent control of inward and outward tilt of the rear wheels as well as the wheels' direction during suspension movements. The R/T upgrade adds 18-inch performance rubber and specially tuned suspension dampers to enhance the Charger's tarmac tenacity.
