If the new four-door sedan carrying the legendary name didn't drive hardcore fans of the original two-door Dodge Charger muscle car nuts, then using its most famous physical characteristic on a pickup truck should do the job.
That would of course be that famous 61-cm rear wing that was the signature piece of the Chrysler models that dominated stock car racing 35 years ago, and which appeared on the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona model that was built to meet NASCAR's homologation rules at the time.
The other key piece of that performance package at the time was the Hemi engine, which car fans may have noticed has returned to the Chrysler fold in recent times.
The Daytona nameplate has been back since then, but on a model vastly different from the original and the upcoming model, but that was a pretty wussy item that no one at Chrysler mentions.
So the wing and the engine and the nameplate are reunited in 2005, on a model called the 2005 Dodge Ram Daytona 1500 and it will soon be available in limited numbers at Dodge dealers across Canada and the U.S.
Ron Smith, the vice-president of marketing at DaimlerChrysler Canada, says the 2005 Dodge Ram Daytona is ''a race-inspired, track-tested pickup truck that is ready for the streets. Once again Dodge Ram takes the lead with a performance-packaged pickup truck that is sure to turn heads.''
Dodge Ram Daytona 1500 is available on the Regular Cab and Quad Cab body styles of the short wheelbase pickup, and every single model gets the 5.7-litre Hemi V-8 that delivers 345 hp and 375 lb-ft of torque to the road through a five-speed automatic transmission and a 3.92:1 rear axle ratio. That should help with launches, if not fuel economy.
Available in SLT trim and equipment in either 4x2 or 4x4 configurations, the Regular Cab features moulded side sills while the Quad Cab includes a running board.
The starting Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices are as follows:
On top of that, Chrysler Canada quotes a destination charge of $1,175 and you are supposed to assume that it is somehow an extra tariff that they have no choice but to levy and the consumer has no choice but to pay. This is not true -- like everything else on the sale of a car (save the taxes), the destination charge is negotiable.
However much you pay, the 2005 Dodge Ram Daytona will be easily to spot because of the 28-cm wing rear spoiler at the back.
In a pickup truck, the word ''spoiler'' actually has a second meaning, since it will have a limiting effect on what you can put in the bed, or at least on how you put something in the bed. That's not likely to dissuade a true fan and the wing can be removed with tools, but there it is.
The special Ram Daytona model also gets a unique graphic treatment and complementary Daytona signature on contrasting black-striped rear quarter panels, which is said to be ''reminiscent'' of the 1969 winged Dodge Charger.
Other noticeable features include a performance-style hood scoop, rear side-exiting twin chrome tips from the Borla exhaust, a body-coloured grille, front fascia, rear bumper and tail lamp guards, and 20-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels.
Two exterior colours that marketing man Smith calls ''compelling'' will be offered -- Go ManGo! and Bright Silver Metallic -- and they will make supporting appearances as accents to the centre bezel of the dashboard.
Other interior features include premium cloth-faced seating in Dark Slate Grey, leather-wrapped steering wheel and Daytona monograms on the headrests and floor mats.
Similar to the 2004 Dodge Ram Rumble Bee model, the 2005 Dodge Ram Daytona will be a limited edition and feature a numbered plaque on the dash and chrome fuel filler door.
photo:DaimlerChrysler
That would of course be that famous 61-cm rear wing that was the signature piece of the Chrysler models that dominated stock car racing 35 years ago, and which appeared on the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona model that was built to meet NASCAR's homologation rules at the time.
The other key piece of that performance package at the time was the Hemi engine, which car fans may have noticed has returned to the Chrysler fold in recent times.
The Daytona nameplate has been back since then, but on a model vastly different from the original and the upcoming model, but that was a pretty wussy item that no one at Chrysler mentions.
So the wing and the engine and the nameplate are reunited in 2005, on a model called the 2005 Dodge Ram Daytona 1500 and it will soon be available in limited numbers at Dodge dealers across Canada and the U.S.
Ron Smith, the vice-president of marketing at DaimlerChrysler Canada, says the 2005 Dodge Ram Daytona is ''a race-inspired, track-tested pickup truck that is ready for the streets. Once again Dodge Ram takes the lead with a performance-packaged pickup truck that is sure to turn heads.''
Dodge Ram Daytona 1500 is available on the Regular Cab and Quad Cab body styles of the short wheelbase pickup, and every single model gets the 5.7-litre Hemi V-8 that delivers 345 hp and 375 lb-ft of torque to the road through a five-speed automatic transmission and a 3.92:1 rear axle ratio. That should help with launches, if not fuel economy.
Available in SLT trim and equipment in either 4x2 or 4x4 configurations, the Regular Cab features moulded side sills while the Quad Cab includes a running board.
The starting Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices are as follows:
- Regular Cab 4x2 SLT SWB for $32,760
- Regular Cab 4x4 SLT SWB for $36,225
- Quad Cab 4x2 SLT SWB for $36,460
- Quad Cab 4x4 SLT SWB for $39,865
On top of that, Chrysler Canada quotes a destination charge of $1,175 and you are supposed to assume that it is somehow an extra tariff that they have no choice but to levy and the consumer has no choice but to pay. This is not true -- like everything else on the sale of a car (save the taxes), the destination charge is negotiable.
However much you pay, the 2005 Dodge Ram Daytona will be easily to spot because of the 28-cm wing rear spoiler at the back.
In a pickup truck, the word ''spoiler'' actually has a second meaning, since it will have a limiting effect on what you can put in the bed, or at least on how you put something in the bed. That's not likely to dissuade a true fan and the wing can be removed with tools, but there it is.
The special Ram Daytona model also gets a unique graphic treatment and complementary Daytona signature on contrasting black-striped rear quarter panels, which is said to be ''reminiscent'' of the 1969 winged Dodge Charger.
Other noticeable features include a performance-style hood scoop, rear side-exiting twin chrome tips from the Borla exhaust, a body-coloured grille, front fascia, rear bumper and tail lamp guards, and 20-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels.
Two exterior colours that marketing man Smith calls ''compelling'' will be offered -- Go ManGo! and Bright Silver Metallic -- and they will make supporting appearances as accents to the centre bezel of the dashboard.
Other interior features include premium cloth-faced seating in Dark Slate Grey, leather-wrapped steering wheel and Daytona monograms on the headrests and floor mats.
Similar to the 2004 Dodge Ram Rumble Bee model, the 2005 Dodge Ram Daytona will be a limited edition and feature a numbered plaque on the dash and chrome fuel filler door.
photo:DaimlerChrysler
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