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Saturday, 24 March 2012

2012 Dodge Charger

2012 Dodge Charger

A massive family sedan within the classic Detroit mould, the 2012 Dodge Charger keeps obtaining higher with each new model year. Revamped with a ton additional aptitude and features last year, this year's Charger adds a brand new eight-speed automatic to boost gas mileage over the thirty-mpg mark, while it additionally blows the doors off hot domestics and seeks out initials like M, AMG, and RS with the spectacular SRT8 package.

Neat and notable when it was reintroduced in 2005, this Charger's gone overboard to play up its American bona fides. The body's currently inspired by nothing but a Coca-Cola bottle, with a classic crosshaired Dodge grille grafted on the front finish and lots of LED bulbs glowing around its rear finish. The Charger's flares and filligrees pop on camera and in person, placing a masculine nerve. It is a commanding form that looks as prepared to attack the road as any supersedan--particularly when it's an SRT8, when the grille turns into a gaping maw, when the body add-ons drop as low to the bottom as attainable. Inside, the treatment's less flamboyant, with big dials hashed with red markings, and the previous dash reshaped into a rounded, driver-oriented piece. The dash is roofed with metallic-printed plastic with some wide, unused stretches, that offers it the look of a brisk remake, however the match and end are a lot of improved.

Most Chargers are powered by Chrysler's new 3.half dozen-liter V-half-dozen, with 292 horsepower, and base versions have a 5-speed automatic. A respectable performer in that kind, the Charger gets a lot of higher this year with a newly offered eight-speed ZF automatic. Offered with paddle shift controls, the automatic clicks off clean gearchanges, maxes out the Pentastar engine's power higher than different Chryslers with six-speed automatic do, and pushes the Charger's highway gas mileage ratings to thirty one mpg. Entirely completely different priorities can be happy with the Charger R/T's 5.seven-liter HEMI V-8. With 370 horsepower and a five-speed automatic--and an earthy, metallic exhaust note--it pushes zero-sixty times below seven seconds and dramatically ups the Charger's engagement factor. The kingpin of the lineup is the vi.four-liter HEMI V-8, with 475 horsepower and a 5-speed automatic, sensible for 0-sixty mph times of below five seconds and with its own lascivious V-eight mating decision.

Handling ranges from mildly entertaining in the bottom rear- and all-wheel-drive Charger to muscular within the R/T and SRT8 models. The Charger's steering is fast however in most versions, pretty light to the bit. The upgrades to shocks and bushings last year were tidy clean-ups to the Charger's classic massive-automobile handling. Body roll nearly disappears as you progress from base cars to the SRT8 and its new adaptive suspension, and ride quality on the lineup progresses from comfort-tuned to aggressively firm. Still, despite its size, the rear-driver Charger models feel more agile than a Taurus or Maxima, due to frisky manner it responds to a nudge of the gas.

The emotional styling of the Charger doesn't compromise its utility terribly a lot of. The roofline's tall, the front seats are wide and gently bolstered (thick, firm sport seats are offered on HEMI cars), and also the doors are cut widely to create the Charger as purposeful as doable. It meets police-duty standards for tucking in perps, a minimum of, and that is something to remind tall rear-seat passengers of after they squawk regarding tight head space and the rumble of HEMI exhaust.

The Charger's been named an IIHS Top Safety Pick, and high-tech safety grafts like a rearview camera, active cruise management, and blind-spot monitors are obtainable.

Normal features include air con; cruise management; power windows, locks and mirrors; a power driver seat; pushbutton begin; and an AM/FM/CD player with a four.3-inch touchscreen management. Options like a sunroof, Bluetooth, and leather upholstery are joined by additional exotic offerings like in-car wireless Internet, via a 3G data dongle; a navigation system and real-time traffic information; and voice control for audio and navigation. Appearance packages add splashes of classic musclecar color to the Charger, while a Road & Track package tightens the suspension and adds twenty-in. wheels.

2012 Dodge Charger Front View

2012 Dodge Charger Interior

2012 Dodge Charger Seats

2012 Dodge Charger Engine

2012 Dodge Charger Wheel

2012 Dodge Charger Side View

2012 Dodge Charger Steering

2012 Dodge Charger

2012 Dodge Challenger

2012 Dodge Challenger

These days's Dodge Challenger is a good recreation of the musclecar classic. From all angles, it's the most faithful interpretation of the era, even compared with the fat-fendered Chevy Camaro and the horse-embossed Mustang. There's HEMI power on the market underneath the hood, and smart recent rear-wheel drive. However the Challenger's conjointly a comfy touring coupe with an independent suspension and a number of the latest tech options.

With its broad expanses of flat sheetmetal, a classic long-nose form, and a vivid selection of colors, the Challenger channels the musclecars of the Sixties and Seventies nearly perfectly. If you're the proper age, it is a warm blast of nostalgia, but even younger drivers can admire its modern, crisp lines without finding them cartoonish. The SRT8 cherrypicks Challenger history for its add-ons, with deeper air dams and purposeful brake ducts, and choices for a Ram air hood and numerous striping packages--even Stinger Yellow paint. That said, the cabin's a relative letdown, with a spare style that doesn't quite mesh with the exterior as neatly, despite the offered pistol-grip shifter. Some highly visible, higher-tech options like a huge LCD touchscreen detract from the vintage feel, however therefore will the interior's lack of pleasure.

The quality-issue Challenger SE encompasses a three.half dozen-liter V-half-dozen with 305 horsepower, available with either a pistol-gripped manual transmission or a five-speed automatic. Performance isn't its top priority, however it's reasonably competitive with the base Mustang and Camaro, and therefore the manual shifter could be a good one, and doesn't seem out of place in the massive Challenger. A big revolution comes with the five.7-liter HEMI V-8 found within the R/T model; it's 375 horsepower and a throaty, gorgeous rumble to go with it. It's the SRT8 that turns on the total blast of musclecar acceleration. Its "392" engine, a half dozen.four-liter HEMI V-8, barrels off the road with 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, with either a manual or an automatic transmission. Fuel economy of up to twenty three mpg in the V-half-dozen is muted by the V-eight Challenger's numbers in the high teens.

In all versions, the Challenger feels less nimble than these days's Mustang, and even the wide, short Camaro cuts corners additional crisply than the large Dodge. The Challenger weighs additional and has a longer wheelbase, which interprets into a bigger road feel that makes the Mustang feel lean. The Challenger's steering is just too light-weight and not as precise because it might be--it's outpaced by the latest Mustang's zippy electric steering--however the ride quality is terribly well damped. SRT8 models now offer an adaptive suspension with traditional and sport shock modes, but we tend to haven't yet tested one.

The Challenger's size plays to its advantage inside. It is a magnitude additional comfy and quiet than its competitors, particularly in front, where head room will be a revelation to Camaro drivers. The back seat could be a bit a lot of pinched, but still better than the Chevy, though leg room is minimal and visibility is simply too, the product of the Challenger's wide rear roof pillars. The trunk's huge: at 16 cubic feet, it's larger than in some family sedans.

Crash test scores don't seem to be available from the NHTSA and IIHS, however the Challenger will provide the usual gear, together with a driver knee airbags and options for a rearview camera, Bluetooth and blind-spot monitors.

All Challengers come with commonplace climate control; power windows, locks and mirrors; a CD player; and cruise control. Major options include a navigation system with an simply understood interface; a USB port for media players; in-car wireless Internet, through a plug-in 3G dongle; a leather interior; and a sunroof. This year brings a new Harmon Kardon 90zero-watt audio system possibility, too. All told, a Challenger SRT8 will high $50,00zero, where it's either a considerable discount compared to a classic Hemi Cuda, or a huge premium over a lot of fashionable sportscars from MINI Coupes to Nissan 370Zs.

2012 Dodge Challenger Interior