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Chicago 2011: 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8

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Old 02-08-11, 11:21 PM
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Default Chicago 2011: 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8

Chicago 2011: 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8



Dodge has dropped the Street and Racing Technology motherlode on the eve of the Chicago Auto Show and first out of the gate is the 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 – what Eminem should've rolled in during the Super Bowl.

As with anything birthed from Chrysler's in-house tuning division, the Charger SRT8 is all about the engine, so the transformation begins with the new 6.4-liter HEMI V8 putting out 465 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque – a boost of some 80 lb-ft over the old 6.1-liter mill. That torquey wave comes on at 2,900 rpm and Dodge claims that with the fitment of its Fuel Saver tech, allowing the engine to run on four cylinders when its not under load, fuel economy will improve, although Dodge isn't saying how much.

Chrysler's W5A580 five-speed automatic transmission backs up the HEMI, and you can select your own gears by either slapping the AutoStick or thumbing the steering wheel-mounted paddle-shifters.

All that adds up to an estimated top speed of 175 mph, a 0-60 mph time in the high fours and a quarter-mile run deep into the 12s.

In addition to the five-spoke, 20-inch forged aluminum and polished wheels, the SRT crew saw fit to equip the SRT8 with an adaptive damping suspension with Auto and Sport settings that process speed, steering angle, brake pressure, throttle application and lateral acceleration. Brakes are sized 14.2-inches up front and 13.8-inches in the rear, with a new front fascia, LED taillamps and four-inch dual exhausts rounding out the exterior mods. And naturally, the interior isn't left out in the cold, with a flat-bottom steering wheel, heavily bolstered seats and a 900-watt, 19-speaker audio system courtesy of Harmon Kardon.

Gallery:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2012-...-srt8/#3860574

2012 Dodge Charger SRT8® Delivers Intelligent Performance And Power

* Set to launch this calendar year, Dodge gives peek at its newest product from the Street and Racing Technology (SRT) team at the Chicago Auto Show
* 6.4-liter HEMI® V-8 engine offers an estimated 465 horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. of torque for power across a significantly wider rpm range
* All-new adaptive valve exhaust system improves fuel efficiency
* All-new paddle-shift technology allows spirited shifting on road and at the race track
* Two-mode adaptive damping suspension allows for selectable suspension tuning and also automatically adapts to road and driver inputs for proper vehicle control


The new product onslaught continues for the Dodge brand with the announcement today at the Chicago Auto Show that the Dodge Charger SRT8 will return for the 2012 model year.

"We're continuing the fast-paced rebuilding of Dodge as our performance brand, and the expansion of our SRT product lineup in 2012 is an important part of our rejuvenation," said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO, Dodge Brand - Chrysler Group LLCs. "The new 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 builds on the iconic four-door fastback coupe design of the all-new Charger and adds a much larger power band across the rpm range, along with intelligent performance attributes and safety and creature comforts for customers who are passionate about performance driving."

The 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 will be built at the Brampton Assembly plant in Brampton, Ontario, Canada and will be in dealer showrooms later this year.

"AWE-INSPIRING" POWERTRAIN
Under the hood, the new 6.4-liter HEMI® V-8 delivers more horsepower and torque than the 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 it replaces. It also will offer improved fuel economy.

Estimated power ratings for the 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 are 465 horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. of torque, including an estimated additional 80 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,900 rpm. Specific horsepower, torque and fuel economy numbers will be announced closer to the vehicle introduction.

Building upon the standard Fuel Saver technology (four-cylinder mode) found in the new 6.4 HEMI V-8, a new for 2012 adaptive valve exhaust system allows the technology to engage over a wider rpm range, which delivers improved fuel efficiency or the use of all eight cylinders when the power is needed.

An active intake manifold and high-lift camshaft with cam phasing provides maximum low-end torque for impressive standing starts while optimizing high-end power.

For the first time in any Chrysler Group LLC SRT product, standard paddle-shift technology joins the standard AutoStick on the floor shifter. Both are mated to the proven W5A580 five-speed automatic transmission, allowing a choice of spirited shifting on the road and the racetrack.

Both shifting methods give the driver the ability to shift while the transmission controller calibration prevents situations that might over rev the engine. Fully adaptive electronic control of all shifting makes the powertrain more responsive while minimizing harshness.

OUTSTANDING RIDE AND HANDLING
New for 2012, the Dodge Charger SRT8 features an adaptive damping suspension that uses a wide range of on-road and driver inputs, such as vehicle speed, steering angle, steering speed, brake torque, throttle position and lateral acceleration, to automatically tune the suspension for specific conditions. Drivers also can manually choose between "Auto" and "Sport" settings that quickly change the shock damping and harshness characteristics from the ease of everyday commuting to harsher, more challenging driving situations.

The performance SRT-tuned, fully hydraulic steering system also is improved with a new, heavy-duty pump and revised gearing to give drivers more direct feel and on-center response.

New, split five-spoke, 20-inch lightweight forged and polished aluminum wheels with black painted pockets provide great looks, and the available three- or four-season tires make the 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 easy to handle and fun to drive.

OUTSTANDING BRAKING
World-class stopping power for the 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 comes through four-piston Brembo calipers and vented/slotted rotors measuring 14.2 inches up front and 13.8 inches in the rear.

The Charger SRT8's Ready Alert Braking system anticipates situations when the driver may initiate an emergency brake stop and engages the electronic stability control pump to set brake pads against rotors in order to decrease the time required for full brake application.

AGGRESSIVE AND FUNCTIONAL EXTERIOR
Exclusive new front and rear fascias, along with a new rear spoiler, distinguish the 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 with a high performance look.

The front grille, grille surround and Dodge crosshair feature high-gloss black finishes and the SRT badge. A newly sculpted hood features a 6.4 L (liter) badge and black air exhauster for added engine cooling.

In the rear, the Charger's new signature "racetrack" taillamp design with 164 illuminating LEDs receives new 4-inch round dual exhaust tips and an SRT8 decklid badge to boldly show the Street and Racing Technology DNA.

Unique fside-sill cladding is painted to match the body color.

A newly designed underbody belly pan features integrated brake ducting to improve cooling and brake fade performance at all four corners.

RACE-INSPIRED AND FUNCTIONAL INTERIOR
Building upon the all-new design from 2011, the interior environment of the 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 combines more world-class accommodations with race-inspired technology and appointments.

An all-new, leather-wrapped, SRT-exclusive steering wheel features a unique rim section with a flattened bottom surface that showcases the SRT logo. The standard paddle shifters flank both sides of the new steering wheel behind the new contoured palm rests.

For the high-performance look, carbon-weave, fiber aluminum interior trim pieces are integrated into the new instrument panel and shifter bezel.

The front seats have unique, aggressive bolstering and perforated suede insert fabric to help "grip" the driver and passengers, keeping them in place during spirited driving. Heated and ventilated front seats are standard. Reactive headrests also are standard. The SRT logo is embroidered in the seat backs. Rear seats also are heated for passenger comfort.

Modified door trim panels feature unique bolster material and accent stitching on arm rests to match the seats.
New for 2012, the Dodge Charger SRT8 features a 900-watt, 19-speaker premium SRT performance audio surround-sound system from Harmon Kardon. The intuitive user interface for the system is controlled through the state-of-the-art Uconnect® Touch on the largest standard touchscreen display (8.4-inch) in the segment. Benchmarked against the best E-segment sedans from Europe, Asia and North America, the easy-to-use system also features Uconnect Voice to deliver world-class functionality to keep all passengers easily connected, comfortable and secure.

Exclusive Performance Pages are new for 2012 and included within the touchscreen display. The instrument panel display can be customized to view driver preferences and expanded to include instant feedback on steering input measurements, horsepower, torque, expanded engine information, along with 0-60 mph time, 60-0 braking, g-forces and one-eighth mile and quarter-mile times. The color graphic Electronic Vehicle Information Center also includes the Performance Pages timers and added engine information.

SAFETY AND SECURITY
For everyday commuting, the 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 incorporates features like Keyless Enter-N-Go, adaptive-cruise control with Forward Collision Warning and Blind-spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Path Detection, to keep drivers and passengers secure.

Standard front-row reactive head restraints, standard full-length side-curtain air bags, driver's knee bag and standard front seat-mounted side-thorax air bags offer enhanced occupant protection to passengers in the event of a collision.

Standard three-mode electronic stability control with segment-exclusive Ready Alert Braking and Rain Brake Support safety features, offer improved overall vehicle handling and performance both on the road and the track.

2012 DODGE CHARGER SRT8

Introduction Date: Fall 2011 as 2012 model
Engine: 6.4-liter (392 cubic inch) HEMI V-8
Estimated Power: 465 bhp
Estimated Torque: 465 lb.-ft.
Estimated Handling: .88g on skidpad
Estimated Top Speed: 175 mph
Estimated 0-60 mph: High 4-second range
Estimated ¼ mile: High 12-second range
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/09/c...-charger-srt8/

_______________

Mitsubishi Evo meets Charger IMO
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Old 02-08-11, 11:33 PM
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Agreed. I've seen other magazine pics where it actually looked pretty decent, but in this photo, it looks like a roided Evo. LOL.
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Old 02-09-11, 12:06 AM
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So now it's got 50 hp and 95 lb/ft more than the F and it's still slower?

Obviously this car didn't get the diet it needed. Did it actually put on pounds to post these numbers?

Oh well, at least now it will be a drivers race when they want to go and they won't get spanked constantly.
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Old 02-09-11, 04:07 AM
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Originally Posted by CDNROCKIES
So now it's got 50 hp and 95 lb/ft more than the F and it's still slower?

Obviously this car didn't get the diet it needed. Did it actually put on pounds to post these numbers?

Oh well, at least now it will be a drivers race when they want to go and they won't get spanked constantly.
Charger is one of the slowest pigs I've ever driven, terrible road feel and handling, now it's heavier... and slower

GOOD job Dodge, you're doing wonders
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Old 02-09-11, 06:41 AM
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Chrysler is all about spending money on building bigger Hemis in a world of $3.00+ gal. gas prices and commercials with Eminem. Who cares? I don't think that Chrysler has ever understood practical. Their definition of practical is slapping a 4 speed auto into a vehicle on the cheapest chassis. I like this Charger, but build a car that Americans need, can afford, and can run into the ground.
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Old 02-09-11, 09:54 AM
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5 speed? Seriously? They could have given it a 6th gear to at least increase the Highway MPG rating...

FYI - even a Chevy Cruze gets nothing less than 6 gears.
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Old 02-09-11, 10:02 AM
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These cars are starting to look more and more like Hotwheels.... I mean jeez look at that front grill opening... are they serious?
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Old 02-09-11, 02:26 PM
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You'd never know that super strict EPA standards are coming in a few years with all of these beasts coming out lately.

Not liking the big mouth opening on this one. Too many companies doing these full face openings.

Not impressed.
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Old 02-09-11, 02:38 PM
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that character crease in the middle of the front doors is just plain awkward

looks like some high school kid designed it.
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Old 02-09-11, 03:26 PM
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Even my wife's Venza has a 6 speed auto....
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Old 02-09-11, 04:28 PM
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Ford Fiesta's have 6-speed auto's.
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Old 02-09-11, 04:39 PM
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Looks cool for a retro car, needs a new engine and tranny still.
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Old 02-09-11, 05:51 PM
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It's not bad at all. I agree that it should be a 6-speed. It would be cool if they came out with a coupe version that looked like the old school Chargers though.
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Old 02-09-11, 06:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Kira X
. It would be cool if they came out with a coupe version that looked like the old school Chargers though.
Well that's what the Challenger's are for.
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Old 02-09-11, 06:43 PM
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That car looks awful, I like the current one better.

Originally Posted by T0ked
Agreed. I've seen other magazine pics where it actually looked pretty decent, but in this photo, it looks like a roided Evo. LOL.
Roided as in hemorrhoid

Originally Posted by MadMax96
5 speed? Seriously? They could have given it a 6th gear to at least increase the Highway MPG rating...

FYI - even a Chevy Cruze gets nothing less than 6 gears.
I thought that was odd too but maybe they don't have a 6 speed auto that can handle the power and maybe they're too cheap to develop a new one that can.

Originally Posted by dunnojack
that character crease in the middle of the front doors is just plain awkward

looks like some high school kid designed it.
It's a totally odd. Plus the rear looks kinda like the Challenger with a sad face.
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