?The 2015 Dodge Charger marks its 8th Generation?
Iconic Power, Styling and Performance continue to reign
Washington D.C.– The four-door 2015 Dodge Charger continues the evolutionary path from its muscle-car roots, classic design and historic racing heritage to today?s stellar high performance, featuring state-of-the-art engineering and technology.
The first Dodge Charger appeared in 1964 as a concept vehicle based on a two-door Dodge Polara, but as a one-off, open air roadster. It was conceived and built to help introduce the company?s new hemispherical head performance 426 HEMI engine. The following year, the 1965 Dodge Charger Concept vehicle made its debut at the Chicago Auto Show, illustrating the advanced design direction of the brand. The first generation production Charger appeared from 1966 to 1967. Generation Two ran from 1968 to 1970 followed by Gen III ? 1971 to 1974. The fourth generation ran from 1975 to 1978. Generation V didn?t appear until 1981 and ran for 6 years, but as a front-wheel drive 2+2 hatchback, designed by Chrysler Corporation?s European design and engineering team. The hatchback design was dropped in 1987. Following a 12 year hiatus, homage was paid to the performance Dodge Chargers of the earlier muscle-car era with the debut of the 1999 Dodge Charger R/T Concept vehicle at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. It appeared as a fastback four-door performance coupe. Generation VI represented the years from 2006 to 2010. The Seventh Gen Charger ran from 2011 to 2014, with the 2014 Dodge Charger 100th Anniversary Edition celebrating Dodge?s Centennial year, which brings us to the eighth generation of Chargers ? clearly the best yet.
This latest iteration Dodge Charger is the only four-door muscle-car in production, and it is the quickest, fastest and most powerful sedan in the world. The new Charger is not, by the way, simply a Dodge Challenger with two extra doors. There are six distinct trim levels of the new Charger: SE, SE AWD, SXT, SXT AWD, R/T, R/T Road & Track, R/T Scat Pack, SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat. All Chargers are rear wheel Drive with the exception of the V6 SE and SXT models, which are optionally available with AWD, and all also come with zinc steering wheel mounted paddle shifters except the SE Trim.
Four engines are on hand to energize the various individual model Chargers: a 3.6-liter PentaStar V6 with up to 300 horsepower and 264 pound feet of torque when equipped with the Rallye Group; a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 with four-cylinder mode fuel cylinder technology ? it delivers 370 horses and 395 pound feet of torque; an SRT 6.4-liter HEMI V8 is next with 485 horsepower and 475 pound feet of torque; a 6.2-liter HEMI Hellcat Supercharged V8 is the cream of the crop cranking out an incredible 707 horsepower along with a whopping 650 pound feet of torque.
There are three transmissions gearing energy to either the rear, or all four wheels: an 845RE Torqueflite 8-speed automatic with Auto Stick featuring Adaptive electronic control, optional Sport mode or paddle-shifted driver interactive manual control, a five clutch-pack design with only two open?clutches in any gear, an off-center line pump with low-viscosity oil for reduced spin loss and a Torque converter lock with turbine torsional damper for?low lock-up speeds in 1st through 8th gear; an 8HP70 Torqueflite 8-speed automatic also with Auto Stick, and featuring Adaptive electronic control, with optional Sport mode or paddle-shifted driver interactive manual control with Eco mode; and finally, an 8HP90 Torqueflite automatic 8-speed with Adaptive electronic control featuring full manual control via the gear selector or?paddle shifters, with three SRT-unique selectable modes: Street, Sport?and Track (with performance shifting and gear holding features).
In terms of its exterior styling, the new family muscle-car Dodge Charger displays a familiar and easily recognizable Coke-bottle form with scalloped body sides, menacing front crosshairs, a bold athletic stance, signature LED ?racetrack? tail lamps that have all received a major redesign. The overall look of the Charger presents cleaner lines that create a sleek, chiseled and lighter appearing mass. The hood, fenders, front and rear fascias, headlamps, tail lamps, front doors and rear spoiler have all been resculpted, creating a more seamless look with improved aerodynamics- only the rear doors and the roof are unchanged. The rear makeover starts at the C-pillar?s touchdown point, which is moved rearward, creating a more exaggerated fastback appearance, combined with a shorter rear overhang. A new three-piece spoiler is more integrated into the deck lid, while the signature racetrack LED tail lamp showcases the same continuous glowing ribbon of light that debuted on the new 2014 Durango. The center high-mounted stop lamp is relocated from the top of the deck lid to the roofline inside the back glass, allowing the Charger?s backup camera to be centered.
Inside, the new Dodge Charger exhibits a restyled and driver-focused interior features new premium, soft-touch materials, a new customizable 7-inch full-color, driver information display instrument cluster and a new instrument panel center stack with next-generation Uconnect Access touchscreen and available HD?audio system. The interior is instantly brought to life by its unique premium aluminum-lithograph driver bezel, which enables a seamless, billeted and highly detailed appearance, that carries through the instrument cluster and center console. The instrument cluster also received a high-tech treatment and now includes a full-color 7-inch DID. similar to the one found in the 2014 Dodge Durango and Dodge Dart. Standard on all models, this full color high-definition screen allows drivers to customize how information is presented in more than 100 ways.
A redesigned thick rim, three-spoke steering wheel with?available rev-matching paddle shifters frames the Charger?s new instrument cluster. Buttons controlling driver information functions are now?larger and illuminated for easier operation. Charger?s audio controls are still found on the back of the upper steering wheel spokes.
Looking to the center stack, the 2015 Charger features the latest Uconnect Access suite of technologies. A performance-inspired all-new leather-wrapped electronic gearshift lever is standard on both V-6 and V-8 models. The fully electronic shifter mimics a linkage shifter, providing tactile and visual cues for?gear location. Performance-contoured seats provide optimum support and comfort with dual-density foam, spring suspension and top layers of light-density foam sewn into the covers.
The amount of storage space is designed for optimal use, and the wrapped center armrest opens for easy access to Charger?s USB port, 3.5mm auxiliary input jack, SD card slot or 12-volt auxiliary power outlet.?Oversized door pockets feature grained surfacing on all four doors and integrate bottle holders. Abundant ambient LED lighting with a white glow is located in foot wells, door-pull cups, overhead console (to light the center console below), door map pockets and cubby bin.
Pricing for the 2015 Dodge Charger will range from $27,995 for an SE V6 RWD to $63,995 for the SRT Hellcat.
During the national press preview and launch of the new Charger, my driving partner and I began our journey in a pre-production Dodge Charger SRT Supercharged Hellcat on the way to Summit Point Motorsports Park in West Virginia for track testing in the rain. Our Charger Hellcat test car wore an exterior sprayed Pitch Black with a Black and Sepia toned interior. The base price was set at $62,295 while options including: the Laguna Leather Group, Harman Kardon? Audio Group, power sunroof, Uconnect 8.4 Touchscreen with AM/FM/SXM/BT and NAV GPS Navigation 20-inch tires and Destination charge elevated to final sticker amount to $69,165. We were also able to test lesser models, both on road and on the challenging two-mile track with 10 turns. There was even a specially equipped Police Pursuit Dodge Charger available for testing on the track, complete with operational lights and siren.
SUMMARY: The 2015 Dodge Charger unquestionably lives up to its billing. It is truly the quickest, fastest and most powerful four-door sedan in the world, and with six different trim levels one should be able to find one to suit both their budget and performance requirements. There?s literally a Charger for everyone and all of the V8 models certainly deliver an exhilarating time behind the wheel in the wet or on dry pavement. The Hellcat is definitely the most potent, and it serves up sports car performance with family sedan practicality and versatility. Aside from the Hellcat?s incredible acceleration, the exhaust note is nearly orgasmic. Put the pedal to the metal, and relish in the exotic V8 note.
Certainly not a nod to frugality, but the new Charger is a hoot when nailing the throttle off the line (using the launch control or not) and lighting up the tires ? smoke ?em if you got ?em. No water necessary for slipping and sliding. The opportunity to enjoy the prowess of the new Charger on twisting roads and in freeway driving was most enjoyable but the track exercises offered the opportunity to indulge in excess without the risk of receiving a present from John Law for excessive speed or reckless driving.
The redesigned cabin provides a warm and inviting atmosphere, along with being performance oriented and driver focused, and the materials, fit and finish are certainly a cut above the levels offered by many competitors. Don’t be surprised if there is a flooding of used Vipers on the market soon, as the Charger is not only more comfortable than a Viper, and more practical, seating up to five. and in the case of the SRT Hellcat, the performance is superior to that of the Viper as well.
Handling characteristics are stellar and the ride quality is comfortably compliant, while also delivering exceptional stability. Whether on-road or on-track, Charger SRT owners may personalize their drive experience via an all-new Drive Modes feature. Drive Modes tailor the driving experience by controlling horsepower, transmission shift speeds, steering (Charger SRT only), paddle shifters, traction and suspension. Drive Modes are pre-configured for Sport, Track and Default settings, while the Custom setting lets the driver customize the drive experience to their favorite settings. Custom – Allows the driver to personalize the vehicle?s performance. Sport – Delivers increased vehicle performance capability over the Default Mode. Track – Delivers maximum vehicle performance capability on smooth, dry surfaces, and Default – Activates automatically when starting the vehicle. The Drive Mode feature is controlled through the Uconnect system and may be accessed by Pushing the SRT button on the instrument panel switch bank; Selecting ?Drive Modes? from the ?SRT & Apps? menu; or by Selecting ?Drive Modes? from within the Performance Pages menu.
The Dodge Charger SRT with a Hellcat engine comes standard with two key fobs ? red and black. The red key fob is the only key that can unlock the full horsepower and torque potential of the Charger SRT Hellcat engine; while the black key fob limits the driver to a reduced engine output.
Valet Mode is provided on both Charger SRT and Charger SRT with a Hellcat engine. With the Valet Mode activated, the following vehicle configurations are enabled: Engine is remapped to significantly reduce horsepower and torque; limited to 4,000 rpm; Transmission locks out access to first gear and upshifts earlier than normal; Transmission will treat the manual shifter position the same as the drive position. Traction, steering and suspension are set to their ?Street? settings; Steering-wheel paddle shifters are disabled; Drive Mode functions are disabled; Electronic Stability Control is enabled to Full-on; and Launch Control is disabled. The driver can activate and deactivate Valet Mode with a personal four-digit PIN code they create. This should also work well on teen-aged drivers.
In the final analysis, the 2015 Dodge Charger is a far cry from its predecessors and should please nearly all individuals from mild to wild. My personal favorite is of course the SRT Hellcat Supercharged, but the other versions aren?t chopped liver either. There?s no ?Dodging? the fact that this latest iteration Charger sets the high performance bar considerably higher than ever before.
SPECIFICATIONS: 2015 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Supercharged
| Base Price: | $62,295. |
| Price as Tested: | $69,165. |
| Engine Type and Size: | Engine Type and Size: Horsepower (bhp): @ rpm Torque (ft./ lbs.): @ rpm The base engine is a 3.6-liter PentaStar, DOHC, 24-valve V6 with sequential, multiport, electronic, returnless fuel injection that delivers 292 horsepower at 6,350 rpm (300 bhp with Rallye Group) along with 260 pound feet of torque at 4,800 rpm (264 bhp with Rallye Group). It is standard on the Dodge Charger SE (RWD/AWD) and SXT (RWD/AWD) . Next up, powering the Dodge Challenger R/T, R/T Plus, R/T Classic and R/T Shaker models, is a 5.7-liter HEMI OHV, 16-valve V8 with fuel saver technology and sequential, multiport, electronic, returnless fuel injection that makes 370 horsepower at 5,250 rpm while generating 395 pound feet of torque at 4,200 rpm with the manual gearbox. It comes as the standard powerplant for R/T and R/T Road & Track models. A 6.4-liter HEMI SRT OHV, 16-valve V8 with Sequential, multiport, electronic, returnless; automatic features Fuel Saver mode is the standard engine for the R/T Scat Pack and SRT 392 model Chargers. Topping the lineup is the 6.2-liter HEMI Hellcat V8 Supercharged – also an OHV, 16-valver that cranks out 707 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and generates 650 pound feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. Without question, the 2015 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat is the most powerful muscle car ever produced – along with its two-door stablemate Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat. |
| Horsepower (bhp): | See engine type and size |
| Torque (ft./ lbs.): | See engine type and size |
| Transmission: | Transmissions include: an eight-speed 845RE Torqueflite automatic with Auto Stick? standard on Charger SE and SXT models (RWD/AWD): the R/T, R/T Road & Track, R/T Scat Pack and SRT 392 feature an 8HP70 Torqueflite eight-speed with auto stick; an 8HP90 Torqueflite eight-speed automatic changes gears in the Charger SRT Hellcat with three SRT unique selectable modes: Street, Sport and Track, with adaptive electronic control with full manual control via the gear selector or paddle shifters. |
| Drive Train: | Longitudinally mounted front engine / Rear-Wheel drive or AWD. |
| Suspension: | Front – Independent SLA with high upper? arm, coil spring over gas-charged monotube shock absorbers and stabilizer bar. Lateral and diagonal lower links with dual ball joint knuckles – Independent SLA with high upper? arm, coil spring over gas-charged ADS Bilstein? shock absorbers and 32 mm hollow stabilizer bar, lateral and diagonal lower links (SRT 392) Rear – Five-link independent with coil springs, gas-charged monotube shock absorbers, stabilizer bar and isolated suspension cradle, ADS Bilstein shock absorbers and isolated suspension cradle (SRT 392) |
* Touring-tuned Suspension Standard on Charger SE and SXT (RWD)
? AWD Touring-tuned Suspension Standard on Charger SE and SXT (AWD)
? Sport-tuned Suspension Standard on Charger R/T and optional on SXT
? Super Track Pak Standard on Charger R/T Road & Track
? Performance-tuned Suspension Standard on Charger R/T Scat Pack
? SRT-Tuned SRT-tuned three-mode adaptive damping system with ADS Bilstein shock absorbers: Street mode = sporty, compliant ride; Sport mode = firm,
improved handling; Track mode = firmest, maximum handling.
Brakes: Power-assisted four-wheel discs – Touring, Sport, Performance Brake and Brembo High-Performance packages depending on model., with four-wheel ABS and Traction Control.
Tires: Michelin Energy Saver, Michelin, Hankook Optimo, Firestone Firehawk GTV, Goodyear Eagle F1, Pirelli P-Zero All-Season – P215/65 R17 to 275/40 ZR20. Tires brands and sizes vary by model and are mounted on specific wheels for specific models.
Wheelbase:?120.2 inches – / SE, SXT, R/T, R/T Scat Pack / 120.4-inches SRT 392, SRT Hellcat.
Length Overall:?198.4 inches – SE, SXT, and R/T ??200.8-inches R/T Scat Pack, SRT 392,and SRT Hellcat SRT Hellcat.
Width:?75.0 inches
Height:?58.5 inches – SE, SXT, and R/T to shark fin antenna tip / 58.26 inches R/T Scat Pack, SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat.
Curb Weight:?3,934 to 4,575 lbs. – SE to SRT Hellcat
Fuel Capacity:?18.5 gallons?EPA Mileage Estimates:15 mpg city / 25 mpg highway to 19 city dependent upon wheels and tires, transmission and engine / 31 Hwy- Hellcat TBD.?Drag Coefficient:?0.304 – 0.335 – SE to SRT Hellcat.
0 – 60 mph: Mid 4-second range with 8-speed auto. Top Speed= 182 mph.
Arv Voss is a Northern California based freelance motoring Journalist and member and past officer of several noted Automotive Journalist organizations who contributes regularly to a number of national and international media outlets. He reviews not only cars, trucks and SUVs, but motorcycles as well.
