Dodge Charger

The Dodge Charger has been in production since 1964, and through its existence, it has undergone numerous transformations. The Charger was originally produced in 1964 as a concept/show car, and then in 1965 it became available as a limited time options package added to the Dodge Dart GT. The Charger became available in 1966 as a high-performance rear-wheel drive coupe and muscle car, and remained in production until 1978. The Charger gained fame in the mid-1970s after it appeared as a regular character on the television show "The Dukes of Hazard." The fuel-inefficient Charger was scrapped in favor of Chrysler's new K-car, when Dodge underwent changes at the hands of Lee Lacocca, to make more fuel-efficient cars and avoid bankruptcy.

The Charger was reinvented in 1983 as a front-wheel drive, sporty sub-compact car to replace the Dodge Omni and Plymouth Horizon. This Charger, also known as an L-Body car, was based on the same platform as the Plymouth Turismo and Plymouth Duster. The Charger remained in production until 1987, when it was replaced by the Dodge Shadow and Plymouth Sundance.

Dodge once again brought the Charger nameplate out of retirement in 1999, as a concept car. The Charger was not brought back into full production again until 2006, as a replacement for the Dodge Intrepid. This time the Charger appeared as a rear-wheel, full-size, four-door luxury sedan based on the same platform as the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum, while borrowing much of its styling from the Mercedes E-Class sedans.

The 2009 Charger was slightly redesigned for the model year, and it comes in three different options; the SE, SXT, and R/T. The Charger SE is the base-model, and comes with a 2.7-liter, 178 horsepower, V-6 engine, with a four-speed automatic transmission. Charger SXT comes with a 3.5-liter, 250 horsepower, V-6 engine, and a five-speed automatic transmission. Charger R/T comes with a 5.7-liter, 368 horsepower, V-8 HEMI engine, with a five-speed automatic transmission. The 2009 Charger ranges in price from around $24,000 to $39,000, depending on which vehicle package and options are purchased.

2010 will mark the fifth production year for this newly reinvented Charger. The 2010 Charger will be completely redesigned, and will begin production in June 2009. The Charger will be available in dealer inventories by August, yet prices are still unknown.

Back To Car Review Articles