The sixth and seventh-generation Dodge Charger are full-size four-door sedans, first introduced at the 2005 North American International Auto Show and built by American automobile manufacturer Stellantis North America, a subsidiary of Stellantis. It is available in rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive drivetrains. The Charger was developed to continue the Dodge Charger line with its muscle car heritage, and replaced the Dodge Intrepid as Dodge's full-size sedan. The seventh-generation Charger debuted for the 2011 model year.
History The first Charger was a 1964 show car based on the Dodge Polara and fitted with a 426 Wedge V8 engine. The first production Charger, based on the Dodge Coronet, was introduced as a 1966 model. There were several different vehicles bearing the Charger nameplate built on three different platforms and sizes, all bearing the Charger nameplate. Although the name is associated with the late-1960s performance model in the Dodge range, it was also used on personal luxury coupes during the late-1970s and on front-wheel-drive subcompact hatchbacks during the 1980s.
In 1999, Dodge introduced a new Charger R/T concept car. It took many styling cues from the 1960s Chargers, sharing their long nose and rearward cab, but was shorter at , compared to for the 1966 Charger. It was also lighter. It featured a four-door sedan body design, whereas all the previous production Chargers had two doors.
It was a return to a rear-wheel-drive sedan platform Dodge had not offered since the mid-size Dodge Diplomat had been discontinued in 1989.
In November 2021, Stellantis announced that 2023 model year would be the final model year for both the Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger, as the company will focus its future plans on electric vehicles rather than fossil fuel powered vehicles, especially with tougher automotive emissions standards of being rolled out and required by the Environmental Protection Agency for the 2023 model year. The eighth-generation Charger was introduced in 2024, replacing the seventh-generation Charger and third-generation Challenger.
Sixth generation (LX; 2006)
The Dodge Charger is based on the rear-wheel-drive Chrysler LX platform, with Chrysler executives confirming that structural elements of the car's foundation such as the toe board, safety cage architecture, as well as the load-path philosophy, were being utilized by then-partner, Mercedes-Benz. Mercedes executives also confirmed that several individual components of the car are derived from the Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W211) and S-Class of the era. Shared and or derived components from Mercedes-Benz included: the rear suspension cradle and 5-link independent rear suspension design derived from E-Class, a double-wishbone front suspension design with short-and-long arm front suspension geometry with dual pivot steering geometry derived from the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W220), the 5-speed NAG1 W5A580 transmission, rear differential, driveshaft, ESP & ABS systems, steering system, the CAN Bus electrical architecture, cabin electronics including several other electronic modules, switchgear such as the cruise control and turn signal combination stalk, seat controls, seat frames, and the wiring harness. Later models also feature a Mercedes-Benz-derived laser key ignition system in place of the traditional metal key. AWD models also benefited from the use of Mercedes-Benz's 4MATIC system, including transfer case components, The sixth generation Charger’s competitors include cars such as the Ford Taurus and Five Hundred, Pontiac G8, Chevrolet Impala, Nissan Maxima, Hyundai Azera, and Toyota Avalon.
Both the SXT and R/T models were available in rear and all-wheel drive trains starting in 2007. The AWD system is engaged all the time, routing approximately 60% of the power to the rear wheels and 40% of the power to the front wheels.
After three years of production, an update for 2009 models was made. This sixth generation included relocating the rear decklid's "CHARGER" badging from the left to the right, making way for "DODGE" at the left. Tail lamps were also revised. 2008 models had seen minor revisions to the interior (a new center console and switchgear changes). The 2009 Charger AWD utilized the BorgWarner Torque-on-Demand system which disconnects the front axles until extra traction is needed. This results in a slight boost in fuel economy while retaining the same maximum power split to the front wheels.
Trim levels
The Dodge Charger was available in several trim levels:
The unnamed Base model was the entry-level model in the Charger lineup. Powered by the 2.7L "Magnum" V6 gasoline engine (starting with 2008 models) or a 3.5L "Magnum" V6 gasoline engine (for 2006 and 2007 models), mated to a four- or five-speed automatic transmission (06-07 models with 3.5L engines used the 5-speed regardless of drive type, while 2.7L cars were RWD only and used the 4-speed exclusively), the Base was equipped with features such as seventeen-inch black steel wheels with full plastic wheel covers, an AM/FM stereo radio with a single-disc CD player (with MP3 capabilities starting in 2008) and an auxiliary audio input jack, a four-speaker audio system, a urethane steering wheel, power brakes, a color-keyed front grille with black inserts, cloth seating surfaces, power windows and door locks, remote keyless entry, air conditioning, color-keyed exterior door handles, power-adjustable exterior side mirrors with black caps, a compact spare tire and wheel, and a split-folding rear bench seat, among other features. Options, while limited, included four-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) brakes, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, a six-speaker audio system, and a cruise control. This model was only available with rear-wheel drive.
The SE Plus model was only offered for the 2008 model year and added features onto the unnamed Base trim. These added features included SiriusXM Satellite Radio, a six-speaker audio system, the 3.5 L "Magnum" V6 gasoline engine, a cruise control, four-wheel power Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) brakes, and seventeen-inch aluminum-alloy wheels. This model was only available with rear-wheel drive.
The SXT was the volume seller of the Charger lineup. Originally available as an appearance package for the unnamed Base model until 2007, the SXT became its own trim level starting with the 2008 model year. Features added onto to the Base trim included a chrome front grille with black inserts, SiriusXM Satellite Radio (starting with 2008 models), a six-speaker audio system, steering wheel-mounted audio system controls, a security alarm system, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and automatic transmission shift lever, a cruise control, four-wheel power Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) brakes, a power-adjustable front driver's bucket seat, and the 3.5L "Magnum" V6 gasoline engine (starting with 2008 models). Options on the SXT included eighteen-inch tires and aluminum-alloy wheels, an AM/FM stereo radio with a six-disc, in-dash CD/MP3 changer (including DVD and DVD Audio playback starting in 2008), a touchscreen infotainment system (starting with 2008 models), a U Connect hands-free Bluetooth phone system, two different Boston Acoustics audio systems (one with a subwoofer), Digital Sound Processing (DSP), and an external amplifier, a GPS navigation system, a rearview backup camera system, a remote vehicle starter system, luxury leather-trimmed seating surfaces, dual power-adjustable front bucket seats, a five-speed automatic transmission, and a power sunroof. This model was available with either rear-wheel drive or All Wheel Drive (AWD).
The R/T was the performance-oriented Charger model. It added features onto the SXT trim such as the 5.7 L HEMI V8 gasoline engine with the Multi-Displacement System (MDS), a five-speed automatic transmission, a six-speaker Boston Acoustics premium audio system with a 276-watt external amplifier and Digital Sound Processing (DSP), SiriusXM Satellite Radio (starting with 2008 models), eighteen-inch tires and polished aluminum-alloy wheels, exterior body side moldings, luxury leather-trimmed seating surfaces, dual power-adjustable front bucket seats, power-adjustable and heated exterior side mirrors with color-keyed caps, a dual-zone automatic climate control system, a rear spoiler, and front fog lamps. Most options available on the SXT trim were also available on the R/T trim. This model was available with either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or All Wheel Drive (AWD). A Road/Track Performance Group was available on RWD cars, which added 4-10 bhp, depending on year (achieved with a less restrictive air intake tract and exhaust), a different steering rack (referred to as a '9-land' steering gear in contemporary marketing materials), a stiffer suspension, subtly different wheels with black accents (2006 only, 2007–10 models had 20-inch wheels included with the package) fitted with performance tires, 'Heritage' R/T badging, and different seats with more aggressive bolstering (shared with the SRT8); 2007–10 models also included a front chin spoiler and rear wing spoiler. Unlike the Daytona R/T (which included all of the package's contents and added an even less restrictive muffler and special colors, badging, and striping), there was no production limit.
The SRT8 was the top trim level of the Charger lineup. It added features onto the R/T trim such as the 6.1L HEMI V8 gasoline engine without the Multi-Displacement System (MDS), Brembo performance front and rear brakes with painted brake calipers, sport front bucket seats, dual heated front bucket seats, an AM/FM stereo radio with an in-dash, six-disc CD/MP3 changer (including DVD and DVD Audio playback starting with 2008 models), SiriusXM Satellite Radio (starting with 2008 models), sport leather-trimmed seating surfaces with perforated microfiber suede inserts, a color-keyed front grille with black "Honeycomb" inserts, a performance body kit, twenty-inch performance-rated tires, and forged aluminum-alloy wheels, electronic stability and traction controls, and simulated carbon-fiber interior trim. Optional features included touchscreen infotainment system (starting with 2008 models), SiriusXM satellite Radio (for 2006 and 2007 models), a navigation system, U Connect hands-free Bluetooth phone system, and a 13-speaker Kicker audio system with a powered amplifier, Digital Sound Processing (DSP), and a rear trunk-mounted subwoofer. This model was only available with rear-wheel drive.
SRT8
An SRT8 version of the Charger debuted at the 2005 New York International Auto Show. Powered by a version of the Hemi V8, it also featured upgraded Brembo brakes, and interior and exterior updates. The engine is rated at of torque at 4,800 rpm. The 425 SAE net horsepower of the modern 6.1 L Hemi makes it more powerful than the Chrysler Hemi engines of the muscle car era, the biggest of which were rated at 425 SAE gross horsepower. This made the 6.1 L Hemi the most powerful V8 engine that Chrysler had put in a production vehicle at the time. The SRT8 can accelerate from in 4.8 seconds (5.0 average).
Special editions Daytona R/T
The 2006 Charger Daytona R/T debuted at the Chicago Auto Show. It featured a high output version of the Hemi as well as an updated suspension and tires. Visual additions included a special front fascia with a chin spoiler and a black rear spoiler. In a retro touch, the Daytona R/T featured black "Hemi" decals on the hood and rear fender and retro high impact colors.