(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 2007 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 2007 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 2007 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 2007 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 2007 Dodge Charger.
A Modern Interpretation of a Legend
The 2007 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.
2007 Dodge Charger Production
Production of the 2007 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. |