From the back, the Charger looks just as mean. The Dodge name, encased in glaring red taillights that outline the entire cropped off, edgy bumper are a nod to the way things used to be in the '70s. Dual exhaust pipes that mimic the shape of the rear end sit down low, and the large rear bumper and hunched wheel wells over the rear tires give the impression that the Charger's backend sits higher than the front - again, a throwback to the muscle-car stance and the good ol' days.
And speaking of the good ol' days, the 2011 Dodge Charger sports another real nod to the American automaker's history: a HEMI.
That's right, the Dodge Charger R/T AWD sports a 5.7L HEMI V8 engine under its menacing hood that's good for 370 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque. Piloting the Charger was pretty thrilling. I have to admit I was a little sceptical at first; after all, the Charger is a big, heavy American beast.
However, the HEMI effortlessly powered the Charger full steam ahead whenever I asked it to. And while the 5-speed automatic seemed a bit sluggish at times, we can all keep in mind the fact that Dodge plans to change that out with an 8-speed in the near future. So, there's hope yet.
A unique feature of the Charger engine is something Dodge calls a FuelSave Multi-Displacement Technology. Basically what this does is make the engine shift seamlessly between 8 and 4 cylinders, depending on how heavily you mash the throttle. So, while cruising on the highway, you're riding on fewer cylinders, therefore using less fuel and saving you cash at the pumps. It's a win-win situation in my books.
Sitting behind the wheel (and behind that mean, mean hood) is actually quite nice. Where I've come to expect hard plastics and unrefined touches in American-made models, the Dodge Charger left me pleasantly surprised. The gauge cluster is simple, but that's OK because the 8.4" entertainment screen in the middle console is distracting enough. Equipped with Garmin GPS Navigation, satellite radio, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, the Charger offers all the creature comforts we've come to expect.
I'd like to offer a big thumbs-up to Chrysler and Dodge for their entertainment system. As I change cars every week, I'm privy to most every onboard system. And some are better than others - much better. The Charger's system is one of those. The touchscreen is easy to manipulate and quick to respond, and the satellite radio text updates quickly so channel changes are fast and you know what's going to play before it starts to play instead of the other way around. Thanks for that Chrysler.
And speaking of the good ol' days, the 2011 Dodge Charger sports another real nod to the American automaker's history: a HEMI.
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| The Dodge Charger R/T AWD sports a 5.7L HEMI V8 engine under its menacing hood that's good for 370 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Dodge) |
That's right, the Dodge Charger R/T AWD sports a 5.7L HEMI V8 engine under its menacing hood that's good for 370 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque. Piloting the Charger was pretty thrilling. I have to admit I was a little sceptical at first; after all, the Charger is a big, heavy American beast.
However, the HEMI effortlessly powered the Charger full steam ahead whenever I asked it to. And while the 5-speed automatic seemed a bit sluggish at times, we can all keep in mind the fact that Dodge plans to change that out with an 8-speed in the near future. So, there's hope yet.
A unique feature of the Charger engine is something Dodge calls a FuelSave Multi-Displacement Technology. Basically what this does is make the engine shift seamlessly between 8 and 4 cylinders, depending on how heavily you mash the throttle. So, while cruising on the highway, you're riding on fewer cylinders, therefore using less fuel and saving you cash at the pumps. It's a win-win situation in my books.
Sitting behind the wheel (and behind that mean, mean hood) is actually quite nice. Where I've come to expect hard plastics and unrefined touches in American-made models, the Dodge Charger left me pleasantly surprised. The gauge cluster is simple, but that's OK because the 8.4" entertainment screen in the middle console is distracting enough. Equipped with Garmin GPS Navigation, satellite radio, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, the Charger offers all the creature comforts we've come to expect.
I'd like to offer a big thumbs-up to Chrysler and Dodge for their entertainment system. As I change cars every week, I'm privy to most every onboard system. And some are better than others - much better. The Charger's system is one of those. The touchscreen is easy to manipulate and quick to respond, and the satellite radio text updates quickly so channel changes are fast and you know what's going to play before it starts to play instead of the other way around. Thanks for that Chrysler.
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| The touchscreen is easy to manipulate and quick to respond. (Photo: Dodge) |