2006 Dodge Charger R/T

(from DaimlerChrysler Press Release)  The Dodge Charger – one of the biggest names from the muscle car era – powered its way out of its storied past and onto the stage at the 2005 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The much-anticipated 2006 Dodge Charger will muscle its way back to streets and racetracks across America early this summer.

The Charger coming off the line and out of garages this year will create a new reputation for the Dodge legend, featuring a modern design to back up its 21st century muscle car power, sports car handling and cutting-edge technology.

With a 250-horsepower High Output V-6 engine or the optional 340-horsepower HEMI® engine powering large 18-inch rear wheels, the all-new 2006 Dodge Charger races into the car market with bold, provocative styling and substance without losing the convenience of a modern sedan.

“It’s a car that evokes power and performance under the hood, yet provides everyday functionality and convenience,” said Craig Love, Vice President — Rear-wheel-drive Product Team, Chrysler Group. “We have the proven technologies and the legendary HEMI engine that allow us to produce a modern rear-wheel-drive muscle car.”

Twenty-first Century Performance, Safety & Security and Technology

The all-new 2006 Dodge Charger features rear-wheel drive with near 50/50 weight distribution and advanced technologies that offer superb ride and responsive handling in all surface and traction conditions.

The Multiple Displacement System (MDS) on the Dodge Charger’s HEMI engine seamlessly deactivates four cylinders in just 40 milliseconds – quicker than a blink of an eye – when full V-8 power is not needed, improving fuel economy by up to 20 percent. The HEMI engine with MDS completed more than 6.5 million customer-equivalent miles through the Chrysler Group’s development and durability testing.

The Dodge Charger’s standard Electronic Stability Program (ESP) is designed to electronically detect and assist in critical driving situations. It enhances driver control and helps maintain directional stability in adverse driving conditions – automatically. ESP constantly compares the driver’s intended course with the vehicle’s actual course and compensates for any differences.

ESP, combined with an Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) and All-speed Traction Control with Emergency Brake Assist, improves the Dodge Charger’s traction, maneuverability and stability in all weather conditions.

The ABS keeps the car straight and retains steering capability when braking on slippery surfaces by preventing wheel lock-up. All-speed Traction Control enhances mobility and prevents wheel slip when accelerating on slippery surfaces.

“With the HEMI V-8 engine and MDS, the new Dodge Charger has more power per cubic inch than its ancestors and provides all the glory of the muscle car era more efficiently than ever before,” said Love. “With modern technology, this Dodge Charger rides securely on the road, stays planted through the corners and stops with assurance.”

New Option in Passenger Car Market

Pulling into the newest spot in the Dodge garage, the 2006 Dodge Charger offers a bold, powerful and exciting choice in the passenger car market. The Charger features comfortable room for five adults and enough trunk space to meet the demands of active, modern lifestyles.

Dodge brand has been a catalyst for change in automotive design throughout the ’90s. Now, the new Dodge Charger adds even more muscle to mainstream America.

“We are excited about bringing back the Charger,” said Darryl Jackson, Vice President — Dodge Marketing, Chrysler Group. “But, we’re even more excited to do it in a modern way that offers more convenience to our customers.”

Dodge Charger offers the clever functional use of interior space that has become a trademark of the Dodge brand and adds the convenience of four doors. The Charger features an exciting, modern and unique design, both inside and out, that stands out from the crowd.

“Similar to HEMI, the Charger name is powerful and draws from the Dodge brand’s proud performance heritage,” said Jackson. “We have a tremendous amount of equity and name recognition for both of these entities. Combined, today’s all-new Dodge Charger and HEMI engine effectively mark the return of modern muscle.”

The target market for Dodge Charger includes trendsetting, young affluent males with incomes from $65,000 – $90,000. Customers looking for the thrilling ride and handling characteristics of a sports car, but with the added convenience of a functional, five passenger vehicle, will be able to experience the best of both with the 2006 Dodge Charger.

A Modern Interpretation of a Legend

The 2006 Dodge Charger races forward with modern coupe styling and four-door functionality.

A bold front, strong shoulders and fastback grab the attention of muscle car enthusiasts, while the car’s performance, handling and power complete the package.

“The all-new Dodge Charger is here – with a bold and stunning design, and the performance to back it up – and it’s worthy of the Charger name,” said Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President — Design, Chrysler Group. “The muscular body form, bold front end and coupe-like profile make the new Charger very fresh and contemporary in its execution.”

The Dodge Charger interior has a driver-oriented cockpit designed with a performance mind-set. It is sporty, functional and simple, featuring a sleek instrument panel and Viper-inspired tunneled gauges highlighted with white faces and satin silver accent rings.

A silver trim bezel surrounding the shifter and additional silver accents in the center stack add just the right touch of brightness to the comfortable interior. The two-tone interior features a darker upper color and a lighter lower color, giving the cabin an open feeling.

2006 Dodge Charger Production

Production of the 2006 Dodge Charger begins this spring at the Brampton Assembly Plant in Brampton, Ontario, Canada. The Dodge Charger will join the Dodge Magnum and Chrysler 300 vehicles already built there.

The Dodge Charger will be available in North American markets early this summer and in select markets in Latin America and the Middle East in late 2005.

Charging Off the Line in NASCAR Nextel Cup Competition

After a 30-year absence, Charger returns to the track beginning in February 2005. The historic Dodge Charger nameplate returns to NASCAR Nextel Cup competition as the successor to the race-winning Dodge Intrepid race cars of 2001- 2004, and to the storied Dodge Charger race cars of the late 1960s and early 1970s that earned several national championships.

Following the adage that “racing improves the breed,” motorsports competition has long been part of the Dodge heritage. From engineering labs in Auburn Hills, Mich., to shop floors in Charlotte, N.C., Dodge, its teams and its dealers live the philosophy it takes to be successful in the ultra-competitive world of racing.

“We’re very excited about the new Charger. Not only does it bring back one of the great names in racing history, but it also reinforces the racing heritage of the Dodge brand,” said John Fernandez, Director — Dodge Motorsports Operations, Chrysler Group. “Our goal is to return the Charger to the winner’s circle, which is where I first saw it as a boy watching Richard Petty, Buddy Baker and Bobby Issacs dominate the early days of NASCAR.”

Charger to Build on Dodge Presence in Passenger Car Market

With a U.S. market share of approximately seven percent, Dodge is the fourth-largest nameplate in the United States and the eighth-largest nameplate in the automotive industry. In 2004, Dodge sold more than 1.1 million vehicles. Dodge continues to lead the minivan market segment with a 20 percent U.S. market share and maintains an 18 percent share of the highly competitive truck market.

Yeah, It’s Got a HEMI!

The 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine produces 340 horsepower (254 kW) and 390 lb.-ft. (525 N•m) of torque. It offers more power and torque than any Dodge passenger car engine since the legendary 426 HEMI of the ’60s and ’70s. The modern HEMI engine has been engineered to deliver outstanding performance and reduced noise, vibration and harshness, resulting in a highly refined powerplant.

Across the entire Chrysler Group product portfolio, the total HEMI engine take-rate is about 45 percent on vehicles offering the engine. More than 500,000 HEMI-equipped Chrysler Group vehicles have been sold since the new HEMI engine was introduced for the 2003 model year. Products available with the HEMI include: Dodge Ram Pickup, Dodge Durango, Dodge Magnum, Chrysler 300 and Jeep® Grand Cherokee.