Press Kit: 2006 Dodge Charger, What's New for '06

The Dodge Charger — one of the biggest names from the muscle car era — has powered its way back to streets and racetracks across America, paying homage to the muscle cars of the ’60s, and adding 21st century performance and functionality.

Available with a 250 horsepower, 3.5-liter High-Output V-6 engine or the legendary 340 horsepower, 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine, the all-new 2006 Dodge Charger races into the car market with contemporary, provocative styling and substance with all the convenience of a modern sedan.

“With proven rear-wheel-drive technologies and the legendary HEMI engine, we are able to produce a modern muscle car with everyday functionality,” said Craig Love, Vice President — Rear-wheel-drive Product Team, Chrysler Group. “The all-new Dodge Charger offers the perfect blend of performance, safety and flexibility that today’s market demands.”

American Car Icon
With powerful world-class hardware and software beneath the Charger’s skin, Dodge designers sculpted a car that celebrates all that is good about American cars in a thoroughly modern way. The all-new 2006 Dodge Charger has a long character line that defines the front corners, runs back to the rear door and makes way for a huge rear fender that gives notice that the car is rear-wheel-drive-powered.

The profile of the Dodge Charger’s roofline and the sloping fastback style suggest a sense of speed. The front end is strong, with a sinister sneer to it.

“The new Dodge Charger is all about celebrating the American muscle car and going places in something special,” said Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President — Design, Chrysler Group. “Dodge Charger makes a statement about the owner’s zeal for life and for beautiful things.”

With the longest wheelbase in its class, the Dodge Charger offers a spacious and refined interior and a no-nonsense driver cockpit. It is ergonomically sound and provides world-class attention to fit and finish. The Charger’s seating position is more than two inches higher than the previous generation Dodge sedan, which gives a comfortable command-of-the-road view for both driver and passenger.

New Option in Passenger Car Market
Pulling into the newest spot in the Dodge garage, the all-new 2006 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 their active, modern lifestyles.

And make room in that garage for more than one Charger model. The 2006 Dodge Charger is offered in several versions designed specifically for all levels and desires of modern muscle-car enthusiasts. The Dodge Charger SE, SXT package, R/T, R/T with Road/Track Performance Group and the Dodge Charger Daytona R/T package are all available in the first year of production.

All these options add even more Dodge muscle to mainstream America.

“Charger brings performance and attitude to the car side that America expects from Dodge — big, bold and expressive,” said Darryl Jackson, Vice President  — Dodge Marketing, Chrysler Group.

Dodge Charger features the clever 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 American muscle.”

Unique Suspension Characteristics to Match Dodge Charger's Personality
The all-new 2006 Dodge Charger features outstanding rear-wheel-drive performance and handling, near 50/50 weight distribution and unique suspension offerings that provide just the right level of driving characteristics for all Charger customers.

Seventeen-inch tires and a firm suspension uniquely tuned to match the Dodge Charger’s personality are standard on the Charger SE and Charger with the SXT package. This tuning offers athletic and nimble steering and handling characteristics.

The standard suspension offered on the 2006 Dodge Charger R/T model includes 18-inch touring tires and wheels and specially tuned dampers for spirited ride and handling with a performance exhaust.

A Road/Track Performance Group, which is tuned specifically for firm steering and handling, provides a glued-to-the-road feeling best suited for the most passionate driving enthusiast. This optional package is available on the HEMI-equipped Dodge Charger R/T model and offers 18-inch Michelin MXM4 all-season performance tires, 9-land performance steering gear and Nivomat™ self-leveling shock absorbers.

A specially tuned performance exhaust and induction system, which produces an additional 10 horsepower on the HEMI V-8 engine, also is included with the Road/Track Performance Group.

The Dodge Charger Daytona R/T package also offers specially tuned chassis components, Michelin MXM4 all-season performance tires, 9-land steering gear and Nivomat self-leveling shock absorbers. A unique high-performance exhaust and induction system allow the 5.7-liter HEMI to produce 350 horsepower with a distinctive throaty exhaust tone.

Modren Muscle-Car Power
The 2006 Dodge Charger R/T features Chrysler Group’s modern 340 horsepower, 5.7-liter, HEMI V-8 engine that provides 390 lb.-ft. of torque. The Multi-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 as much as 20 percent. The HEMI engine, mated to a fully automatic five-speed transmission with AutoStick®, offers Dodge Charger R/T customers the legendary HEMI power they want with fuel economy they will appreciate.

The 2006 Dodge Charger SE and Charger with the SXT package feature Chrysler Group’s high-output, 3.5-liter, V-6 engine that provides 250 horsepower and 250 lb.-ft. of torque, offering an outstanding blend of performance and fuel economy. The five-speed transmission with AutoStick, which gives the driver a choice of a fully automatic or manually selected gear range, also is mated to this engine.

Advanced Technologies Provide Outstanding Ride, Handling and Safety
All versions of the 2006 Dodge Charger are equipped with standard world-class ride and handling features, including Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with Brake Assist, Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) and all-speed Traction Control System (TCS).

The Dodge Charger’s standard ESP is designed to electronically detect and assist in critical driving situations. It automatically enhances driver control and helps maintain directional stability in adverse driving conditions. ESP constantly compares the driver’s intended course with the vehicle’s actual course and compensates for any differences.

The Charger’s ABS keeps the car straight and retains steering capability when braking on slippery surfaces by preventing wheel lock-up. All-speed TCS enhances mobility and prevents wheel slip when accelerating on slippery surfaces.

Combined, ESP with Brake Assist, ABS and TCS improve the Dodge Charger’s traction, maneuverability and stability in all weather conditions.

“Modern technologies allow us to bring a 21st century muscle car to market with all the enhanced ride and handling characteristics inherent in rear-wheel drive,” said Love. “This new Dodge Charger rides securely on the road, stays planted through the corners and stops with assurance.”