Dodge Charger Priced to Take On Midsize Imports

Still, Chrysler's 300 has sold extremely well in HEMI V8-powered 300C trim, which may mean the R/T will be as popular as the

The same 340-horsepower 5.7-litre mill that powers the 300C and Magnum R/T gets the nod for Charger R/T duties, painted orange in Daytona trim. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada)

six-cylinder cars. The same 340-horsepower 5.7-litre mill that powers the 300C and Magnum R/T gets the nod for Charger R/T duties, mated to the same 5-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode that comes in the two sibling models as well as the Charger SXT.

The R/T's HEMI also comes with Chrysler Group's sophisticated Multi-Displacement System (MDS), the first cylinder deactivation system to be sold in North America on large-volume vehicles. MDS is expected to increase fuel economy by up to 20 percent while still delivering all the power and even more torque than the new-age HEMI V8 is becoming legendary for.

New developments such as high-speed electronic controls, sophisticated algorithms controlling the systems and the integration of electronic throttle control have made the technology possible. As a result Chrysler Group reports a seamless deactivation and

The R/T's HEMI also comes with Chrysler Group's sophisticated Multi-Displacement System, sporting slightly more power in its Daytona application. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada)

activation process, needing only 40 milliseconds (0.040 seconds) to transition from eight-cylinders to four or vice versa.

So how does it work? Essentially MDS deactivates the valve lifters in four of theV8's cylinders (1, 7, 4 and 6), resulting in four closed valves and zero combustion in half the cylinders. Fortunately the "dead" cylinders don't drag energy from the working four, due to air being pumped through those cylinders temporarily out of action. It should be said that Honda's V6-powered Accord also offers a cylinder deactivation system now. Chrysler Group, Honda and GM are the only automakers to do so.