2006 Dodge Charger: Pure Emotion!
By Matthew Keegan
You have got to hand it to Daimler Chrysler, the company behind
the successful launch this summer of the 2006 Dodge Charger: the
car hearkens back to the glory days of pure Dodge power while
successfully incorporating the latest technologies from the
German American automaker. One of the biggest names in the muscle
car era has returned with a vengeance: the Dodge Charger.
When Daimler and Chrysler merged in 1998, many Mopar fans felt
that an important era in American automobile manufacturing had
abruptly come to an end. Indeed, the venerable maker of Chrysler,
Plymouth, Dodge, and Jeep vehicles would no longer be controlled
exclusively from their Detroit base. Instead, the German
manufacturer of luxury Mercedes automobiles would set the course
and steer the company in the direction they wanted it to go. Or
so it seemed.
Fortunately, what started out as a rocky marriage between a pair
of perceived unequals has resulted in offspring that are, well,
cool! It took several years for the relationship to get on track
and that became evident with the release of the Chrysler 300M and
Dodge Magnum vehicles. Both cars have performed very strongly
since their release in 2004 and have literally set the ground
work for a successful launch of the Dodge Charger earlier this
year. The Charger is based on the same platform of the
300M/Magnum and was originally meant to have been a sedan version
of the Magnum. Instead, Dodge gave the car its own personality.
Alright, enough of the background. Let’s take a look at what this
baby has to offer:
Four models: SE, SXT, R/T, and Daytona R/T
Two engine choices: a 3.5L High Output 24 valve V6 or a 5.7 L
Hemi V8 w/multiple displacement
Rear-wheel drive with near 50/50 weight distribution
5 speed automatic transmission
18" black sidewall touring tires
Cloth or leather trimmed bucket seats; optional performance seats
with the Hemi
8 way power seats
Power windows and door locks
A host of available extras including: power sunroof, fog lamps,
engine heat block, trunk lid spoiler, cargo net, 160 MPH
speedometer, etc.
Yes, the Dodge Charger is equipped with all the bells and
whistles found in today’s hotrods and then some. The car comes in
one body style a four door, five passenger sedan while earlier
renditions of the Charger nameplate were two door fastback
coupes. Still, for a sedan the car has very sleek and racy edges
and a grill that is meant to intimidate.
Press coverage of the Charger has been highly favorable. Indeed,
Automotive Magazine had this to say about the Charger:
The 2006 Dodge Charger is the latest in a remarkably long line of
certain hits from the Chrysler Group. The new Charger has all the
necessary ingredients, from an impressive line of engines to
state-of-the-art electronic technology to the right mix of
suspension and wheel-and-tire componentry to stand-out styling.
So what if it isn't a two-door coupe? We like it and think Dodge
will sell every one it can build.
Naturally, this is the type of press that Daimler Chrysler has
hoped for. Despite gas prices in excess of $2.50 per gallon the
automaker should be able to sell the Charger to those with money
to spare and with a desire to relive 1960s muscle car glory.
It has been a long time since American sedans have been
competitive with their Japanese and European counterparts; the
2006 Dodge Charger will cause its competitors to stand up and
take notice. A good thing indeed!
Matthew Keegan is the owner of a successful web design and
marketing company based in North Carolina, USA. He manages
several sites including the Corporate Flight Attendant Community
at http://www.corporateflyer.net and the Aviation Employment
Board at
http://www.aviationemploymentboard.net
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