http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodge_Charger_(LX)Dodge Charger LX
The Dodge Charger LX is a rear-wheel drive four-door automobile introduced in February 2005. Built by Chrysler for its North American Dodge brand, the car was created to continue the Dodge Charger line, and replaced the Dodge Intrepid as Dodge's full-size sedan. It shares the LX platform with the Chrysler 300, the newer third generation Dodge Challenger, and the now-discontinued Dodge Magnum.
History
The first Charger was a 1964 show car, based on the Dodge Polara and fitted with a 426 Wedge V8 engine. The first production Charger, based on the Dodge Coronet, was introduced as a 1966 model. In 1999, Dodge introduced a new Charger R/T concept car. It took many styling cues from the 1960s Chargers, sharing their long nose and rearward cab, but was much shorter at 187 inches (4,700 mm), compared to 203 inches (5,200 mm) for the 1966 Charger. It was also 650 lb (290 kg) lighter. Although it had four doors where the earlier models had two, the rear doors were intended to be blended unobtrusively into the body.
Engines
The Charger SE and SXT are equipped with Chrysler's 3.5 L V6. The 3.5 L V6 produces 250 hp (186 kW) and 250 lb·ft (339 N·m) of torque. In Canada, the base model Charger has a 2.7 L V6, which produces 190 hp (142 kW) and 190 lb·ft (258 N·m) of torque. In 2006, the 2.7 L V6 was also available in the US for fleet sales only. For 2007, the SE package could be had with the 2.7 L engine for all buyers. The Canadian SXT model included the 3.5L V6.
The R/T version uses the 5.7 L (345 cu in) Hemi V8. From 2006-2008, this engine produced 340 hp (254 kW) and 390 lb·ft (529 N·m) of torque. For 2009, Variable Camshaft Timing was added, raising power levels to 368 hp (274 kW) and 395 lb·ft (536 N·m) of torque respectively.
References
6.1 L Hemi
The SRT-8 model comes with the 6.1 L (370 cu in) Hemi V8. The 6.1 L Hemi produces 425 hp (317 kW) and 420 lb·ft (569 N·m) of torque.
Safety
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives the Charger an overall Good score in frontal crash tests. In side impacts Charger models equipped with optional side airbags are given a Marginal score overall, and models without side airbags are given the lowest overall Poor score.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gives the Charger five stars on passenger, driver, and rear passenger crash test ratings and four stars in regard to side impact rating.
All models come standard with Electronic Stability Program (ESP) (except in 2.7L V6 cars where it is optional) with ABS and all speed traction control.
2006-2010
Both the SXT and R/T models are also available as AWD (All Wheel Drive) starting in 2007. The All-Wheel Drive system is derived from the Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC technology. From 2007-2008, the AWD system is engaged all the time, routing approximately 60% of the power to the rear wheels and 40% of the power to the front wheels. The 2009 Charger AWD utilized the Torque-on-Demand system manufactured by Borg Warner which disconnects the front axles until extra traction is needed. This results in a slight boost in fuel economy while retaining the same maximum power split to the front wheels. After three years of production, an update for 2009 models was made. It shifted the trunklid's "CHARGER" badge from the left to the right, making way for "DODGE" at the left.
==Daytona R/T==
The 2006 Charger Daytona R/T debuted at the Chicago Auto Show. It features a high output 350 hp (261 kW) version of the 5.7 L (345 cu in) Hemi as well as an updated suspension and tires. Visual additions include a special front fascia with a chin spoiler and a black rear spoiler. In a retro touch, the Daytona R/T features black "Hemi" decals on the hood and rear fender and retro high impact colors. In 2007, larger 20" chrome-clad wheels were introduced. In 2008, a revised stripe package was adopted. In 2009, horsepower was increased to 368 hp (274 kW) by the addition of Variable Camshaft Timing.
SRT-8
An SRT-8 version of the Charger debuted at the 2005 New York International Auto Show. Powered by a 425 hp (317 kW) version of the 6.1 L (370 cu in) Hemi, it also features upgraded Brembo brakes, and interior and exterior updates. The engine produces 420 lb·ft (569 N·m) of torque. The 425 net horsepower of the modern 6.1 L Hemi makes it even more powerful than the legendary Hemi engines of the muscle car era, the biggest of which was rated at 425 gross horsepower. This makes the 6.1 L Hemi engine the most powerful V8 engine that Chrysler has ever put in a production vehicle with a 5-speed automatic transmission.
Super Bee
A new Super Bee version of the Charger debuted at the 2006 New York International Auto Show for the 2007 model year. It shares the SRT-8's 425 hp (317 kW) 6.1 L (370 cu in) Hemi engine but comes in special "Detonator Yellow" paint with black decals. It is a limited edition with only 1000 being produced. A B5 Blue version of the Super Bee was shown at the 2007 North American International Auto Show and went on sale in early 2008, also with a limited run of 1000. 425 Hemi Orange Super Bees were built in 2009
Dub Edition
Created with DUB Magazine, it is based on the Charger SXT. It includes a body-colour spoiler and fog lamps, 20-inch alloys wrapped around with 245/45R20 tires, MyGIG Multimedia Infotainment System with 13-speaker KICKER surround-sound system, a 322W KICKER amplifier and a 100W KICKER subwoofer. Exterior colors are red, black, silver, cool vanilla and dark titanium.
2,180 Charger DUB Edition cars were produced for the US market for $30,235.
Nascar
Although NASCAR stock cars bear only a slight resemblance to actual street cars, Dodge's 2005 and 2006 NASCAR entries were based on the Charger silhouette, replacing the previous Dodge Intrepid. Unlike the Intrepid, the Charger shares rear-wheel drive and a V8 engine with its NASCAR counterparts. During the 2007 NASCAR season the Charger was used in all non Car of Tomorrow races and the Dodge Avenger was used in all Car of Tomorrow races. The Car of Tomorrow was used exclusively in 2008. However, the Avenger Car of Tomorrow will be redesignated as a Charger R/T through the use of different decals.
2011
In October 2008, then-Chrysler LLC CEO Bob Nardelli told CNBC's Michael Eisner of Chrysler's plans concerning a redesigned Charger: "In the pipeline for 2010: A brand new 300, a brand new Charger ... a brand new Jeep, the pipeline is full, plus we have these smaller vehicles coming through partnerships and alliances". Fiat has claimed that the Charger will be all new for 2011. Dodge plans to launch the new 2011 Charger on November 30, 2010, undergoing both exterior and interior changes. It will feature, among other things, a slightly redesigned fascia and hood section, modified taillights and a new dashboard. As a whole, the 2011 Charger will somewhat take styling cues from the 1968 model, making the vehicle more retro than modern. It will be built alongside the 2011 Challenger SRT8 392 and 300C, which both have been seen.
Police Package
In early 2006, DaimlerChrysler released a new police version of the Charger. It made its debut at the 2005 New York International Auto Show.
Unlike the civilian version, the police version features upgraded heavy-duty brakes, a severe-duty cooling system, police-performance Electronic Stability Program, police performance-tuned steering, and a gear shifter that is mounted on the steering column instead of in the center console. In place of the center console, Dodge has equipped the police edition with an aluminum plate appropriate for mounting radio equipment, computers, and controllers for lights and sirens. The vehicle's electrical system is specifically designed for integration of siren and light controls, and other police vehicle accessories.
The 340 hp (254 kW) Hemi V8 is powerful enough to accelerate the car from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 6.2 seconds and to a top speed of 150 mph (241 km/h). In Michigan State Police and California Highway Patrol testing, the Charger V8 easily outperformed all other pursuit vehicles in acceleration, cornering, and braking (except the Dodge Magnum, which stopped slightly faster in some tests).
Chargers are in use with several police agencies as both marked and unmarked patrol cars. Law enforcement agencies outside of the US have also purchased the Charger, including police services in Canada, Mexico, Chile and the Middle East, including Bahrain, Kuwait, and Lebanon. Both V6 and V8 models are being adopted, with highway patrols favoring the 5.7 L (345 cu in) Hemi V8 engine and cities more likely to purchase the base police package with the 3.5 L V6 fuel-efficient engine. The New York City Police Department has purchased Chargers for use by precinct and Highway Patrol officers, and the Nassau County Police Department has purchased Chargers for use by members of its Highway Patrol division. The New York State Police and New York State Court Officers also use the Charger for patrol. The Kansas Highway Patrol and the California Highway Patrol have begun to use the Charger for patrols, gradually phasing out their fleet of Ford Police Interceptors. The Los Angeles Police Department is also starting to deploy several 2008 Chargers in the field on a testing basis, with an eye on replacing their aging fleet of Ford Police Interceptors, the Idaho State Police replaced their fleet with Dodge Chargers, and the Iowa State Patrol recently began the purchase of the Charger Police package to replace their aging fleet of Ford Crown Victoria models. In 2006, the Virginia State Police added 35 Chargers to its patrol fleet. The University of Kentucky police department also has a strong fleet of Dodge chargers. The Ridley Township Police Dept. in Pennsylvania hosts a fleet of new Dodge Chargers as well, and is the only police department in the state that has red police cruisers.
The Charger is also in service with U.S. Federal and military police services, including the U.S. Marine Corps Base Provost Marshal's Offices, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the FBI, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Police, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Marshals Service.
For 2009, the V6 Charger police car comes with the 3.5L V6 and a 5-speed automatic transmission. The rear is slightly updated, moving the "CHARGER" badge to the right, and replacing the left with the badge reading "DODGE." The V8 version uses the Charger Daytona R/T engine, rated 368 horsepower (274 kW) and 395 ft·lbf (536 N·m). of torque.
References
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodge_Charger_(LX)