| For the brave who crave cloth of a | | | | technology increasing the V8's fuel |
| different cut than the status quo, it is | | | | efficiency to 16 mpg city; 22 mpg |
| possible to transcend the norm, to | | | | highway. On our road test, we found the |
| attain invincibility when behind the | | | | base V6 to have enough pep without |
| wheel of the stylish, mythic machine. | | | | compromising on fuel. Both the V8 Hemi's |
| Back in the '60s and '70s the Dodge | | | | seemed a bit too supercharged for |
| Charger appealed to a certain segment of | | | | today's roads, and geo political |
| the population who craved the visceral | | | | situation. At times, driving the Charger |
| feel of a two-door muscle car. Today, | | | | SRT8 with 425 horsepower felt like you |
| this heroic vehicle has been reinvented | | | | were trying to control an overpowered |
| to charge past the competition from the | | | | carriage rather than enjoying the sporty |
| Infiniti M35, Lexus GS300, Mustang GT, | | | | ride.? |
| and the Chrysler 300 with three | | | | ? |
| variations of engines. Although the 2007 | | | | The overall ride of the Charger is quite |
| Charger is a much different than the | | | | good, as its chassis and transmission |
| original Coke bottle design that was | | | | are the same as Mercedes Benz E-Class. |
| introduced in 1964, it still retains the | | | | However, there's still a lot of body |
| spirit of the original. With broad | | | | roll. The car is not as deft as it could |
| shoulders in the front and rear | | | | be, this is partly due to its large size |
| quarter-panels cutting into the doors, | | | | ? the 2007 Charger is 17 feet long and |
| the car looks like a linebacker in | | | | over 4,400 lbs in curb weight, so you do |
| uniform. With a MSRP range between | | | | feel it while taking corners. The |
| $22,570 ? $35,320, and a fuel efficiency | | | | independent multi-link suspension with |
| of 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway, you | | | | stout structural members makes for a |
| almost need to be an extrovert to drive | | | | stiffer body, but the torque-rich engine |
| this modern interpretation of fastback | | | | and the overall larger size do take some |
| design. | | | | getting used to. |
| ? | | | | ? |
| The 2007 Charger has been fortified with | | | | Choices abound when it comes to finding |
| technologies to provide efficiency and | | | | the right Charger that suits your needs. |
| unparalleled control from a thoroughly | | | | The new Charger is available in five |
| reinvented rear-wheel-drive technology, | | | | trims: the SE, SXT, R/T, Daytona R/T and |
| and its completely re-engineered | | | | the SRT8. The models vary in engine |
| engines. Step inside the car and you'll | | | | size, but share the highest, five-star |
| not be disappointed. First, you'll | | | | government front crash test ratings due |
| notice the large 60s inspired | | | | to well-engineered crush zones, advanced |
| steering-wheel, large (vintage) air | | | | multi-stage air bags (though side |
| vents, clean and classy black on white | | | | air-curtains are optional), and |
| rpm/speed dials, and supportive seats. | | | | self-sealing tires. The ABS brakes are |
| The model we tested also had a DVD | | | | standard as well, but are not too |
| navigation system, and BOSE sound system | | | | communicative in reducing speed when the |
| ? which was an added plus. But with the | | | | Dodge is really ?charging?. The heavier |
| engine turned on, the menacing howl will | | | | car accelerates well, but doesn't |
| quickly make you forget all the refined | | | | decelerate with confidence. If going for |
| creature comforts of the cabin. | | | | the Hemi versions, it is recommended to |
| ? | | | | opt for Viper calipers, given the |
| Driver input is the name of the game for | | | | Charger's torque and horsepower. |
| the 2007 Charger. Put the car in ?gear,? | | | | ? |
| lift your foot off the brake, and let | | | | In 1973, Richard Petty commandeered the |
| the rapturous engine do the rest. The | | | | Dodge Charger to its last win at the |
| base Charger comes with a 3.5-liter | | | | Daytona 500. Individuality, muscle, and |
| SOHC, 24-valve V6, with 250 horsepower | | | | a timeless sense of freedom have always |
| (250 pound-feet of torque driving | | | | been associated with the Charger's |
| through a five-speed automatic) that | | | | heritage. The 2007 Dodge Charger |
| effectively feels like a V8. But if that | | | | succeeds in resurrecting a time when |
| isn't enough, there is the 5.7-liter | | | | life was simple. Former owners of the |
| Hemi V8, which puts 340 horsepower (with | | | | Charger are now mature family folks who |
| 390 pound-feet of torque) on the tarmac. | | | | need the two extra doors. The 2007 |
| At the top of the line, is the 6.1-liter | | | | Charger is a valiant attempt at bringing |
| Hemi SRT8 with 425 horsepower at 460 | | | | back the brave, the unbreakable, the |
| pound-feet of torque. These are | | | | insurmountable ? the all-American muscle |
| incredible numbers. Both Hemi engines | | | | car.??? |
| feature de-activation cylinder | | | | |