Dodge Challenger & Charger. Randy Bolig
Charger received a complete redesign. Not only did the car look entirely different, it also received a number of significant upgrades. The most noticeable change was the new exterior styling. This new Charger sported what many consider an even more aggressive looking front-end design. On the sides and hood of the car, defined scallops harkened back to the late 1960s and early 1970s Charger. The rear of the car featured a new, futuristic taillight treatment. The taillight has been compared to a racetrack around the car’s rear end. The SRT8 model was dropped for this year. (Photo Courtesy Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC)
The 2011 redesign created what was widely believed to be the most aggressive looking Charger ever. It was an instant hit and performance enthusiasts flocked to it. This 2012 SRT8 model was powered by a 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 that made 470 hp and 470 ft-lbs of torque. A 5-speed automatic transmission was standard. Screams from passengers were also optional. (Photo Courtesy Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC)
The most striking change that occurred with the 2011 redesign was probably the taillights. They featured a whopping 164 LEDs that are arranged in a distinctive “racetrack” pattern around the rear of the car. (Photo Courtesy Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC)
2013
The 2013 Charger was available in five trim packages, SE, SXT, R/T, SRT8, and SRT8 Super Bee trim. The R/T added a 5.7 Hemi V-8 engine, again with 370 hp and 395 ft-lbs of torque. The Road & Track package added to the R/T Plus with a black grille, 20-inch alloy wheels, and a performance calibration for the engine and transmission.
The Super Track Pak option, which was only available on the Charger with the Road & Track package, added a sport-tuned suspension, performance steering, upgraded brakes, and the adjustable stability control system.
The SRT8 featured the bigger 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 making 470 hp and 470 ft-lbs of torque. A 5-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive were standard. The SRT8 Super Bee was, again, a less luxurious, more affordable version of the SRT8.
2014
The Charger for 2014 received no significant changes. With a redesign slated for 2015, the 2014 style was a simple carry over. The 2014 Charger was offered in SE, SXT, R/T, SRT8, and SRT8 Super Bee trim. The R/T added the 370-hp 5.7 Hemi V-8 with a 5-speed transmission. The Road & Track package added a black grille, 20-inch wheels, a rear deck lid spoiler, upgraded brakes, a Sport mode setting for the transmission, and steering wheel mounted paddle shifters. The Super Track Pak tacked on a performance-oriented stability control system, performance brakes, sportier/firmer steering, and an even firmer suspension.
The SRT8 model added the bigger 470-hp 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 engine, a sport suspension, 20-inch wheels, the stability control system, launch control, upgraded brakes with red Brembo calipers, a rear spoiler, and other race-inspired styling features. The SRT8 Super Bee might have had fewer bells and whistles, but that just made it a more affordable version of the SRT8. It started by including most of the base R/T’s equipment, but added the bigger 6.4-liter Hemi V-8, 20-inch wheels, unique exterior Super Bee graphics, black Brembo calipers, yellow and silver cloth upholstery with Super Bee logos on the front headrests, and heated rear seats.
The Charger saw a major redesign in 2011 that included the interior. The plastic used for the dashboard construction included leather-like graining, the seat fabrics improved, and the roof pillars were covered in headliner fabric in place of exposed plastic. Real aluminum trim embellished the dashboard, and the introduction of soft surfaces was a welcome addition. A new, smaller-diameter steering wheel, wrapped in soft leather, hosted buttons for radio tuning, volume, cruise control, and trip computer. (Photo Courtesy Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC)
The redesign even afforded the Charger-distinct headlights a small revamp. Although the angular cut was definitely reminiscent of the previous Charger, new projector-beam headlights were used. (Photo Courtesy Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC)
In 2011, the 5.7-liter Hemi carried over from the previous year with 370 hp. Although the Hemi was the big-dog engine, the V-6 wasn’t relegated to the rental-fleet cars any more. The Hemi was once again backed by a 5-speed automatic transmission, but featured updated shift programming. (Photo Courtesy Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC)
Although the grille of the 2011 Charger featured Dodge’s distinctive “cross hair,” it was slightly revamped. The grille became a double-bar design. This grille continued until the next redesign in 2015. (Photo Courtesy Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC)
Universal Pictures liked the newly redesigned Charger so much that they teamed up with Dodge in the action-thriller Fast Five (shown here are actors Vin Diesel, left, and Paul Walker, right). Dodge supplied multiple 2010 and 2011 Dodge Charger vehicles that were used in chase scenes throughout the movie. (Photo Courtesy Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC)
It takes 164 LEDs to create the racetrack-style taillight treatment that was introduced on the 2011 Charger. This was the first year that an American automotive manufacturer was able to design and implement such a taillight assembly. (Photo Courtesy Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC)
Well, there you have the breakdown of the Charger offerings, but what if you are looking for something a little sportier? Maybe a four-door car just isn’t what you had in mind. Enter the Challenger.
If you’re looking for a late-model Challenger, production actually started in 2008. The 2008 Challenger was a limited-production SRT model with only 6,400 U.S. models built. In a stroke of marketing genius, all were sold before they were even built. In addition, 500 Challengers were built for sale in Canada, and another 100 or so were built for sale in Mexico. Each 2008 Challenger has a limited edition numbered dash plaque.
The Challenger was loosely based on Chrysler’s LX platform, but is slightly shorter than the 300 and the Charger. The LC-designated Challenger standard features included 20-inch alloy wheels with 245/45 high-performance tires, a sport suspension, and a rear spoiler. Options included a sunroof, navigation and music server system, and ultra-performance summer tires.
2008
The 2008 Challenger SRT8 had only one engine choice: a 6.1-liter Hemi V-8 with 425 hp and 420 ft-lbs of torque. The transmission was a 5-speed automatic, and no manual transmission was available for this inaugural year. The limited edition 2008 Challenger was available in three colors: Hemi Orange, Bright Silver Metallic, and Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat. At the 2008 Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona, Chrysler offered two 2008 SRT8s for charity. One was the very first car built, which sold for $400,000, and