So, consider the 2012 Charger SRT8 one part family sedan and one part high-horsepower, high-value plaything from the manliest brand going.
Bring your fifty large to Infiniti, BMW or Audi, and you’ll get 6 cylinders at best – and nothing close to this level of power, style or ‘middle-fingers-in-the-air’ attitude.
That same coinage at your Dodge dealer will see you leaving with a big, comfortable sedan packing 470 horsepower, rear-wheel drive and an exhaust note that sounds like God ripping the atmosphere in half with a chaingun.
It’s pretty simple math if you don’t own a soy-based Yoga mat or wear three cardigans to keep warm after supper.
Pin the SRT8’s throttle, and it snorts down the highway while jamming occupant torsos firmly to their seatbacks. Sound effects and acceleration are delightfully inappropriate for a car that can do day-care duty.
On a handling course, it’s impressive too.
Steering is precise. Handling is flat, even when pushed hard. The flat-bottom steering-wheel directs the big Dodge’s bulk around with a just-right amount of effort. And you smile, because while this behemoth picks off apexes with ‘60s music blasting from the pipes, it remains an affordable and very accommodating family car.
After some laps, your writer was tickled at the SRT8’s ability to move about like it was considerably smaller. Engineers have given this brute the reflexes of a very competent –and much smaller – sports sedan. Extra points for the Brembo brakes. They’re characteristically lacking in precise pedal feel, but stopping power is delivered in masses, even when components get hot.
It’s easy around town, too. No, not on fuel – but Charger SRT8 shifts on its own, offers light steering, decent visibility, and easy entry and exit. It’s a friendly, four-door missile you could drive any day. It’s loud, American, politically incorrect, and proud of it.
So, maybe I’m a redneck. Or a punk. Or somewhat unappreciative (as is the SRT team) of expensive posh-rockets. But with a set of Blizzaks for the winter, I’d be happy rocking this beast all year round.
Bring your fifty large to Infiniti, BMW or Audi, and you’ll get 6 cylinders at best – and nothing close to this level of power, style or ‘middle-fingers-in-the-air’ attitude.
That same coinage at your Dodge dealer will see you leaving with a big, comfortable sedan packing 470 horsepower, rear-wheel drive and an exhaust note that sounds like God ripping the atmosphere in half with a chaingun.
It’s pretty simple math if you don’t own a soy-based Yoga mat or wear three cardigans to keep warm after supper.
Pin the SRT8’s throttle, and it snorts down the highway while jamming occupant torsos firmly to their seatbacks. Sound effects and acceleration are delightfully inappropriate for a car that can do day-care duty.
On a handling course, it’s impressive too.
Steering is precise. Handling is flat, even when pushed hard. The flat-bottom steering-wheel directs the big Dodge’s bulk around with a just-right amount of effort. And you smile, because while this behemoth picks off apexes with ‘60s music blasting from the pipes, it remains an affordable and very accommodating family car.
After some laps, your writer was tickled at the SRT8’s ability to move about like it was considerably smaller. Engineers have given this brute the reflexes of a very competent –and much smaller – sports sedan. Extra points for the Brembo brakes. They’re characteristically lacking in precise pedal feel, but stopping power is delivered in masses, even when components get hot.
It’s easy around town, too. No, not on fuel – but Charger SRT8 shifts on its own, offers light steering, decent visibility, and easy entry and exit. It’s a friendly, four-door missile you could drive any day. It’s loud, American, politically incorrect, and proud of it.
So, maybe I’m a redneck. Or a punk. Or somewhat unappreciative (as is the SRT team) of expensive posh-rockets. But with a set of Blizzaks for the winter, I’d be happy rocking this beast all year round.
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