Wednesday 6th October 2010

New 2011 Dodge Charger Revealed

Extensive restyle for America's 'forgotten' muscle car

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With its sensible four-door practically and (dare we say it?) almost dowdy styling, the Dodge Charger has always been one of the more overlooked of the US and A's 'reborn' muscle cars.

This facelift seeks to address that, however, with a restyle that brings a new grille, bumper and headlamps, as well as a restyled bonnet, a more steeply raked windscreen and chunky scallops down the body sides.

The most significant changes, however, are at the back, where the Charger's rump has been given full-width tail lamps and 164 LEDs, and now does a passable impression of its two-door sister, the Challenger.

The overall effect is definitely a step in the right direction, but is it as good as the original 1999 Charger concept (below)? We think not.

Dodge hasn't yet revealed full tech details for the MY 2011 Charger, but the entry-level engine is understood to be the new 3.6-litre Chrysler Pentastar V6, with more spicy R/T models retaining 5.7-litre Hemi V8 power.

Perhaps the most curious nugget of information, however, is the fact that top-spec Chargers will come with the option of an all-wheel drive system, which sounds terrible until you realise that it can be switched to rear-drive only at the touch of a button. Neat.

The dramatic 1999 Charger concept

[rudecherub]

AWD just means you can progress better in real world situations, like when it rains - that is when traction is compromised.

Good for Dodge I say.

[Uriel]

They need a 2 door, manual option.

[V88Dicky]

Always reminds me of this;





Still quite like them though. For those who require muscle with four doors.

[Project C]

I've been considering hiring one of these when I go to the USA in a few years for a 1000+ miles road trip. Misses Project wants me to get a Focus......

[Mercutio]

Love the looks, though it will be (unfortunately) totally unwieldy and large when it comes to my local roads.

[Mattmeister]

much improved over the pre-facelift, be nice if you could get these RHD and as cheap as they are over there....

mmmmmmmmmmm V8...

[Stu R]

Been in a couple of these the last time I was in Vegas.

The first was a V6 one which had nearly 250k miles on the clock. Say what you want about the 'quality' of plastics and other such jazz, but it didn't feel like a car that had done anywhere near that milage.

The second was a brand spanking SRT8. I quite liked it, but I preferred the challenger purely because of exterior looks I'd quite happily drive either though. Not quite Audi interiors but they're not bad, for the price you pay in the US you get a helluva lotta car.

The new Charger is certainly an improvement aesthetically. I like.

Edited by Stu R on Wednesday 6th October 11:29

[DougieCow]

Pig ugly from any angle. Do like the '99 concept though.

But, I'll take the Chevy Camaro any day. Lovely.

[redchina]

A backwards step, their last facelift looked great, this one looks like they are trying way too hard.

shame.

[checkmate91]

Stu R said:

Been in a couple of these the last time I was in Vegas.

The first was a V6 one which had nearly 250k miles on the clock. Say what you want about the 'quality' of plastics and other such jazz, but it didn't feel like a car that had done anywhere near that milage.

The second was a brand spanking SRT8. I quite liked it, but I preferred the challenger purely because of exterior looks I'd quite happily drive either though. Not quite Audi interiors but they're not bad, for the price you pay in the US you get a helluva lotta car.

The new Charger is certainly an improvement aesthetically. I like.

Edited by Stu R on Wednesday 6th October 11:29

Here you go chap, taken on Sunday at the Nurburgring

[Ed.]

It's had an AWD option since 2007.

Edited by Ed. on Wednesday 6th October 12:01

[Fartgalen]

It doesn't work for me. A Charger has to be a 2 door coupe/saloon/muscle car. Like it was.
Then I guess they'd just lose Challenger customers.

The facelift looks better than the previous version, but still not a jot as good as the 99 concept, which IMO looks fab.
Have to be a Challenger for me. But then I'd prefer a 5.0 Mustang over that. And a Camaro SS over that.

[Sonic]

Project C said:

I've been considering hiring one of these when I go to the USA in a few years for a 1000+ miles road trip. Misses Project wants me to get a Focus......

I had a 2010 charger 3.5 v6 AWD in the states last month for a 3500 mile road trip.

Really good car actually, i was pleasantly surprised.

Sure, the suspension is soggy and it lacks the torque you'd maybe think it should have, but it cruises well, is comfy to be in, easy to drive and goes well off road

[Mark Wibble]

Shame that the Charger is probably the only one of the reborn muscle cars that bears absolutely no resemblance to the original- a mistake to call it a Charger IMHO.

That's not to say it isn't a car worth having, they've just confused the brand that's all...

[anonymous-user]

A RHD version of this with the right spec and a few interior trim tweeks would make a great car to sit at the top of the uk range of Dodges!

[dlockhart]

Mercedes called and want their nose back

[Dr Derek Doctors]

I've always like the 'new' Charger, especially when used by Vic Mackay (one for fans of The Sheild)

[Johnpidge]

Already have a 300c (CRD) which certainly looks the part and rides quite well - not really a ball of fire but does the kids/Mrs to work/Tesco's/Macro's and fairly frequent trips to N. Wales easily and ecomonically (well as much as big 4 door diesel can do). Charger is similar visual appeal not sure it would be as practical and is RHD and diesel an option?? Not bad quite like but obviously needs to be in BLACK to show it off properly not in RED!!!

[booner]

Nice to see they've used lots of LED's, saves me putting out my Christmas decoration to compete with the neighbours dispay!

[katulu]

I am in the states, and a HUGE fan of the dodge cars here...definately some of the best domestics we have right now

LOVE the new styling...although I'm a little up in the air about that tail...might have to grow on me a bit

the switchable AWD is a terrific idea..I think I'll give it a few years to make sure there aren't a bunch of problems with the system, then go to the dealership and get one of these myself, I'll have a Hemi....