Dodge Charger

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2015 Dodge Charger SRT 392 with Scat Pack

The Dodge Charger is a brand of automobiles marketed by Dodge. The first Charger was a show car in 1964. There have been several different production Chargers, built on three different platforms and sizes. In the U.S., the Charger nameplate has been used on subcompact hatchbacks, full-sized sedans, and personal luxury coupes. The current version is a four-door sedan.

Charger models

The three main iterations of Dodge Chargers were a mid-size (B-body) two-door car (1966–78), a subcompact (L-body) car (1983–87), and the (LX and LD) full-size platform four-door sedans built since 2006.

The name was also carried by a 1999 concept car that differed substantially from the Charger eventually placed into production for the 2006 model year. A similar name plate, the Ramcharger, was used for the truck-based vehicle.

The name Charger was also used in Brazil as performance model based on the Dart (A-Body) (1970–80).

Model years of Chargers

• 1964 Dodge Charger (concept): a roadster-style show car based on the Dodge Polara
• 1965 Dodge Charger 273: a limited production option package for the Dart GT
• 1966–78 Dodge Charger (B-body): a rear wheel drive coupe
• 1970–80 Dodge Charger: Brazilian version based on the Dodge Dart, with a higher-compression 318 V8 engine
• 1983–87 Dodge Charger (L-body): a front wheel drive subcompact hatchback
• 1999 Dodge Charger (concept): a rear wheel drive concept car
• 2006–present: Dodge Charger (LX): several model and trim versions of a rear wheel drive four-door sedan

First generation: 1966–1967

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1966 Dodge Charger

Main article: Dodge Charger (B-body) § First generation

The Dodge Charger was introduced during the 1966 model year. It featured a two-door fastback body design and a four bucket seat interior. The intermediate-sized Charger shared components with the Coronet that also used the Chrysler B platform. The base engine was a 318 cu in (5.2 L) V8 with a three-speed floor shifter. Larger and more powerful engines were also available. Sales were low.

Second generation: 1968–1970

Main article: Dodge Charger (B-body) § Second generation

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1969 Dodge Charger

The Charger was redesigned for 1968, and sales increased. Based on the Chrysler B platform, the model years received various cosmetic changes to the exterior and interior including: an undivided grill, rounded tail lights, and hidden headlights. The powertrains were the same as the ones used in the 1967 Charger. The model was not successful in stock car racing such as NASCAR. A more aerodynamic shape formed the Charger 500 model that became the basis for the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona.

Third generation: 1971–1974

Main article: Dodge Charger (B-body) § Third generation

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1971 Dodge Charger

The third generation Charger was introduced for the 1971 model year. Chrysler's B platform was modified to meet new emissions and safety regulations. Available in six different packages with cosmetic changes that include: a split grill, semi fastback rear window, and a ducktail spoiler. The 1973 and 1974 Chargers were very similar to the 1971 with minor differences in the grill and headlamps. The increase in sales was mostly due to the elimination of the Dodge Coronet, which meant Dodge offered the two-door intermediate-size body style only as the Charger.

Fourth generation: 1975–1978

Main article: Dodge Charger (B-body) § Fourth generation

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1975 Dodge Charger

The 1975 model year Charger Continued as a B body car and was restyled. The new Charger was Dodge's attempt at moving the model into the growing personal luxury car market segment. Dodge expanded its presence in the Personal Luxury Car market in 1978 when it produced two cars in the same class, the Charger and the Magnum.

Fifth generation: 1981.5–1987

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1987 Dodge Charger "Shelby Edition"

Main article: Dodge Charger (L-body)

The Charger returned in 1981 1/2 as a subcompact hatchback coupe with front-wheel-drive, and a five-speed manual or three-speed automatic transmission. This economy-type model was similar to the Dodge Omni 024, but with a slightly larger engine. The Charger was available with the NA 2.2l SOHC or a turbocharged 2.2l SOHC engine. The turbo was available only with the manual transmission, unlike in the Dodge Daytona. A Shelby Charger was offered starting in 1983, with a turbo version available in 1984 producing 148 horsepower (110 kW) at 5600 rpm and 160 pound-feet (220 N·m) of torque at 3200 rpm. The engine was not intercooled and used a small t3 Garrett turbo. In 1985, the electronics were updated but power output was the same. In 1986, the electronics were further updated.

Sixth Generation: 2006–2010

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2006 Dodge Charger

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2014 Dodge Charger SXT Plus - 100th Anniversary Edition

Main article: Dodge Charger (LX)

After nineteen years, Dodge reintroduced the Charger in 2005 for the 2006 model year in a new form. This generation is available only as a four-door sedan using the Chrysler LX platform The design was intended to be reminiscent of the Chargers of the 1960s and 1970s and the taillights harken back to that era, as do the new stamped hood and side panels. This generation is available with a V6 and V8 engine options, as well as all-wheel drive (AWD). Unfortunately a manual transmission was not an option for the new charger to the dismay of many car enthusiasts, many who already felt that the lack of a 2 door coupe version went against the spirit of the charger's history.

In its inaugural year, the Dodge Charger was available in SE, SXT, R/T, R/T with Road/Track Performance Group, and Daytona R/T versions. The basic SE model included a 3.5L V6 engine, 5-speed automatic transmission with "AutoStick" manual shifting feature, 17-inch wheels, air conditioning, all-speed traction control, as well as ABS and electronic stability control, a CD player, tilt and telescoping steering column, power locks/mirrors/windows, and remote keyless entry. Additional features and trims were available including the Charger R/T with a 5.7 L Hemi V8 mated to a 5-Speed automatic transmission. A multiple-displacement system that allows it to save fuel by running on only four cylinders when cruising was also featured in the V8.

Performance was the feature of the Charger SRT8 equipped with a 6.1 L Hemi engine mated to a 5-speed auto, as well as conveniences such as an eight-way power front passenger seat, automatic climate control, special grille and rear spoiler, body-color interior trim, special front fascia and engine cover, larger exhaust tips, performance steering gear, heated front seats with perforated suede inserts, power-adjustable pedals, and special colors and exterior trim. Optional was a Road/Track package with 10 additional horsepower, GPS navigation system, 322-watt audio system, sunroof, and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system.

Seventh Generation: 2011-2014

The seventh generation charger received a new improved interior and new exterior styling for 2011 . Most notably the rear end adopted a more modern wrap around led tail light while the front end received more minor changes. Driver visibility was improved by more than 15% addressing complaints from the last generation.

Base performance was increased, with the 3.5L V6 engine being replaced with a Pentastar 3.6L producing 33% more power and 11% more torque. The 4-speed automatic transmission was replaced with a 5-speed auto.

The SRT-8 was not produced for the 2011 model year.

The 2012 year brought a new 8-speed automatic transmission to the V-6 model. This improved fuel economy especially on highway driving. The police version was continued to be produced with the 5-speed transmission mostly out of reliability concerns with the newer 8-speed. 2012 also brought back the SRT-8 which had been rumoured to introduce a manual transmission but ultimately never made it to the final product. AWD was also added to the V6, making AWD available on all but the SRT-8 model.

The Seventh generation charger was widely adopted as a police vehicle, and the Dodge Charger had become as synonymous with police in U.S. and Canada as the older Ford Crown Victoria had been and still was.

Eighth Generation: 2015-Present

The eighth generation charger received updated exterior styling with mostly minor changes from the previous generation. Most noticeable was the new front end which featured new led lights and a softer more aerodynamic nose that was less angled and featured a noticeable curve around the headlight housing.

Another V8 model was introduced for 2015 making for a total of 3 V8 options. The 5.7L R/T, the SRT 6.4L, and the new 6.2L supercharged V8 model available in the Charger Hellcat producing 707 HP.

All models now came standard with the 8-speed automatic transmission save for the specially produced police version which retained the 5-speed auto. AWD was dropped for the V8 engines and was only available with the V6 version.

Other models

• Dodge Charger Daytona – the name given to three different modified Dodge Chargers built on the B-body and LX platforms
• Super Bee
• Shelby Charger
• Dodge Charger R/T (1999 concept)
• Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat (2015)

See also

• 1971–1976 Chrysler Valiant Charger – short wheelbase Valiant coupe produced by Chrysler Australia
• The General Lee – Dodge Charger used in the television series The Dukes of Hazzard

External links

• Dodge Charger
• A history of the pre-2000s Dodge Charger
• A history of Dodge Chargers by Edmunds.com
• A review of 1981 Dodge Charger by CarandDriver.com