Dodge Challenger & Charger. Randy Bolig
2011 Challenger was the recipient of a more powerful Hemi V-8 engine. The 5.7 Hemi’s power was increased to 372 hp and the SRT version received the new 392 (6.4-liter) Hemi with 470 hp. All Challengers benefited from many changes and upgrades to the suspension, steering, and brakes. (Photo Courtesy Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC)
In 2011, Dodge completely overhauled the interior (including slight visibility improvements), and added sound insulation for a more subdued cabin experience. Many of the materials used in previous cars were replaced by better-quality materials. For instance, the dash featured a soft-touch material. (Photo Courtesy Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC)
The SRT8 again had the 392 Hemi V-8 with 470 hp and 470 ft-lbs of torque; it also received all the R/T’s basic equipment. The 5-speed automatic transmission was standard, and a 6-speed manual transmission was available with the Track Pak.
2013
For 2013, no significant changes were made to the Challenger lineup. The 2013 Challenger was available in three trim levels: SXT, R/T, and SRT8.
The R/T’s 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 delivered 376 hp and 410 ft-lbs of torque when connected to the 6-speed manual transmission. When hooked up to the available 5-speed automatic transmission output dropped to 372 hp and 400 ft-lbs of torque. The R/T Classic package included the R/T Plus items as well as 20-inch heritage-style five-spoke wheels, black side stripes, and functional hood scoops. The Super Track Pak option included high-performance suspension/steering/brakes and revised stability control programming.
The SRT8 benefited from the R/T’s basic equipment but added the larger 6.4-liter Hemi V-8. The 392-inch 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 produced 470 hp and 470 ft-lbs of torque. A 6-speed manual was standard, and the 5-speed automatic transmission was optional.
2014
The last year prior to a major redesign was 2014. The only real change for the 2014 model year was the edition of the SRT8 Core package. This year the Challenger was offered in four main trim levels: SXT, R/T, SRT8, and SRT8 Core.
The R/T received a 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 with a standard 6-speed manual transmission. In this configuration, you had 376 hp and 410 ft-lbs of torque. When connected to the available 5-speed automatic transmission, the 5.7-liter Hemi’s output dropped to 372 hp and 400 ft-lbs of torque. The R/T Classic package included the R/T Plus items and 20-inch heritage-style wheels, black side stripes, functional hood scoops, and Xenon headlights.
The R/T Super Track Pak included a high performance suspension/steering and brakes, with performance-oriented stability control programming. The R/T Blacktop edition came with the Super Track Pak and added black 20-inch wheels, black exterior trim including the ordinarily silver fuel door, and a matte graphite-colored body stripe with red edges. The R/T Redline edition was available with or without the Super Track Pak package, and it featured 20-inch black wheels with red trim, a body stripe similar to the Blacktop’s stripe, a body-color grille surround, metal pedals, and the T-handle shifter (available with automatic transmission only).
The SRT8 392 started with the R/T Plus’ equipment and added the 6.4-liter Hemi V-8, launch control, performance-oriented stability control programming, high-performance brakes and steering, and adaptive suspension dampeners. The SRT8 Core was a new package for 2014. It was meant to be a stripped-down, more affordable SRT8. This meant no frills; it lost standard luxuries. In fact, the Core’s interior is closer to the base SXT’s equipment level. It even came with the entry-level six-speaker audio system.
The oomph on both SRT8 models (392 and Core) came from a 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 that produced 470 hp and 470 ft-lbs of torque. A 6-speed manual transmission was standard, and the 5-speed automatic was optional.
The 2005 Chrysler 300 was an all-new, rear-wheel-drive flagship sedan that replaced the Concorde and 300M. This redesign was a clear departure from the previous years’ cab-forward design theme that Chrysler followed in the 1990s. The 300 represented the company’s new direction and incorporated much Mercedes-Benz technology.
The Chrysler 300 was a well-equipped, elegantly styled vehicle that came in four trim levels: 300, 300 Touring, 300 Limited, and 300C.
The Chrysler 300C is the only level that had the available 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 engine (340 hp), which was the same engine found in the Challenger and Charger. It was mated to an electronically controlled 5-speed automatic transmission.
In 2005, the Chrysler 300 was introduced as an all-new, rear-wheel-drive “luxury” sedan. It replaced the Concorde and 300M. The 300 represented the company’s new direction and made use of Mercedes-Benz technology, which was newly available to Chrysler. Available features of the 300C included the 5.7 Hemi V-8, stability control, and during mid-year production, all-wheel drive. (Photo Courtesy Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC)
2005
In 2005, the Chrysler 300C was the first modern production vehicle in North America to feature cylinder deactivation when it went on sale in the spring of 2004. The MDS turned off the fuel consumption in four of the eight cylinders of the engine when V-8 power was not needed.
2006
When the 2006 models hit the showroom floor, it was difficult to tell the difference between them and the 2005 models; there were no significant changes.
2007
The 2007 Chrysler 300 was again available in four trim levels: 300, 300 Touring, 300C, and SRT8. Step up to the 300C and you had the venerable 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 that knocked out 340 hp and 390 ft-lbs of torque. The 5.7 again used the MDS, which selectively deactivated four of the engine’s cylinders to save fuel in cruising situations. The beefy 6.1-liter Hemi V-8 that delivered tire smoke–inducing 425 hp and 420 ft-lbs of torque powered the performance-oriented SRT8.
The high-performance SRT8 model featured a more powerful Hemi, and also came with a rear spoiler, sport-tuned suspension, a stability control system that allowed more aggressive driving, 20-inch alloy wheels, and Brembo disc brakes with four-piston calipers.
The W. P. Chrysler Executive Series Package (available on Touring and 300C models) was an uncommon and not well-known option. It added 6 inches to the car’s wheelbase and provided more space for rear-seat passengers.
The Chrysler 300C was introduced as an LX-platform car in 2005 and pays homage to the 300 letter-series lineage that was created 50 years before. All 300C models feature dual exhaust tips, large performance disc brakes, and unique chrome exterior trim. The 2005 300C was the first modern production vehicle in North America to successfully feature the Multi-Displacement System (MDS, or cylinder deactivation) when it went on sale in the spring of 2004. (Photo Courtesy Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC)
Designed to be Chrysler’s flagship luxury car, the 2005 300 models included an eight-way power-assisted driver’s seat, manual tilt/telescoping steering column, and a premium cloth interior. This was also the year that the first Original Equipment Manufacturer application of Boston Acoustic Premium Sound System was initiated. If you opted for the 300C, you received upgraded features such as patented tortoise shell interior highlights, power tilt/telescoping steering wheel, rain-sensing wipers, adjustable pedals, Boston Acoustics six-speaker 288-watt digital amplifier sound system, seven-speaker 380-watt digital amplifier, and finally, GPS navigation. (Photo Courtesy Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC)