Posted: Monday, June 25, 2006. (12:23 AM HST)

2006 Dodge Charger R/T: Yes, it has a HEMI

By Ed Kemper
Honolulu, Hawaii
Courtesy Cutter Dodge

Oh, yes, the faithful were upset when Dodge announced it was bringing back the Charger, but in a 4 door format rather than the original 2 door coupe.

Well a lot of automotive water has gone under the bridge since the 1960s and 1970s, and the practicality of 4 doors has reigned supreme over the coupes of this world.

But there are some redeeming features of the new Charger that even the old fans find attractive. And the word for that is Hemi.

Interestingly, the Charger, like its brother, the extremely successful Chrysler 300, is a combo of new and old technology resulting in a formidable vehicle in the large sedan class.

In the new part of the equation, the merger between Chrysler and Mercedes has resulted in the large Dodges and Chryslers borrowing the suspension from the E Class Mercedes—thus permitting the return to rear drive.

In the borrowed and blue portion, the return of the Hemi takes from the old, at least in technological terms. You see the Hemi is an overhead valve design big in the 50s with many Chrysler products. But in its era, it was pretty efficient because the valves were not in line and were at each end of domed cylinder head. Hence the Hemi name for the hemisphere shape found in the head. Add to the formula lots of cubic inches (or liters in today’s words) and the result is much horsepower and low-end torque.

But what about gas mileage when the motor is so big? Besides the efficiencies fuel injection, computerized ignition etc., Chrysler has added a cylinder shut down system. In a word, at cruising speed the big V-8 becomes a small V-4 with half the engine turning off. Need power and instantly the engine comes back to full song.

HEMILESS
Not all the Chargers have Hemis. The base SE starts with a not so slow 250 horsepower, 3.5 liter V-6 with a 5-speed automatic. The base price starting in the lower $20,000 range.

Once in Hemi land, there are two choices. First, is the 5.3 liter V-8 Hemi with 340 hp in the R/T also hooked up to the same 5-speed automatic. For real horsepower wars, the SRT8 version is 425 hp with 6 liters of engine. Generally the prices jump about $7000 to $17,000 above the base unit when these powerplants are checked off on the sales slip. Of course, many additional features are added to each model in the process.

RECHARGED
To test Dodge’s new Charger, a Hemi equipped R/T model was provided to Wheels. The base sticker price started at $29,320 and with options including a 6 CD stereo upgrade ($535) and smoker package ($30), the total MSRP was $30,610.

One can tell the relationship to the Chrysler 300 with the narrow windows and the general shape, but for the most part, the Charger cuts its own swath. The grill maintains the Dodge trademark crosshatched bars. The rear most roof pillar has it spreading both fore and aft for an entertaining look. All in all, a good looking package.

Inside some color is added to the two-tone interior with the addition of some chrome and plastic metal in and around the door panels, steering wheel, dash pod and console. With the R/T, leather seats and trim are standard which also helps with the general look and feel. Unfortunately, considering the performance nature of the R/T the front seats are fairly flat affairs, at least on the bottom cushions.

A large and useable armrest and storage unit separates the front passengers. In the center of the dash, the straightforward, if not slightly unexciting, generic Chrysler CD and A/C controls are presented. One good point on the stereo front is that it contains a cassette deck. But on the bad side, the radio reception was very poor in the hilly/mountain sections of Honolulu.

But the real fun comes when the ignition key is turned (which by the way is nicely placed on the dash and not on the steering column). The first impression is that the big V-8 is very quiet and smooth—no rolling thunder or loud exhaust. But do not be fooled, there is power to spare when called into action. Literally, the Charger leaps forward when needed in a throw-you-back-in-the-seat-way. Although the car was driven many times in the cruise mode, I could not tell when or if the engine went into the V-4 mode. So it either did not happen or if it did, it was totally undetectable.

Rarely do you feel any shifts with the 5 speed automatic and with a slight movement of the gearshift lever the gears can be controlled " manually" with the chosen gear shown in the dash pod.

The quiet in the engine compartment is generally shared with the chassis and suspension. At nearly all speeds, the interior is serene and not bothered by outside distractions. With its 18-inch wheels and gumball type tires, corners are handled with ease, and potholes and rough road surfaces are taken in stride. Steering feel varies depending on the speed with a light touch at low speed and heavier at higher speeds, unlike other Mercedes related vehicles that seem to favor a heavier steering feel all the time.

ROOM ABOUNDS
Rear legroom and such is first rate and knee room is particularly good. Admittedly, the already narrow windows become narrower in the rear giving a hunkered down feeling. But as usual the middle of the back seat is tough with the hump built into the seat plus the drive shaft tunnel.

Air vents are found in the back of the center console. A folding armrest with cupholders can be used when there is no middle occupant.

For additional cargo carrying, the 60/40 split rear seat backs can be easily dropped with a pull of a strap and the flat area is then presented.

But given the huge trunk, it is doubtful the rear seat backs would have to be dropped often. The trunk can be opened in three ways---the remote, with a key, and a button on the dash. In order to provide better balance, the battery is stored in the trunk under the spare tire cover.

RECHARGED WITH VIGOR
Nothing like bringing back an old name to a product that has some history. Thus, the new Charger attempts to imitate the success of the old line even with its 4-door configuration. Do not worry fans; the new Charger is a modern large sedan with plenty of room and power with any of its engine choices. But for those who want the Dukes of Hazard power, the Hemi in either form is the right choice.

The rest of the dash is shaped like a big V thrust out towards the driver and passenger. Controls for the stereo/CD player and the A/C are straightforward in their use with some color contrasts to keep things interesting.

High Beams
• Hemi power is silent yet a power knockout.
• Very roomy and quiet interior.
• Handles very well given its size.

Low Beams
• Not so good stereo reception in hilly areas.

Q&A
Q: Why is the Dodge Charger more like a true NASCAR racecar than either the Ford Taurus or the Chevy Monte Carlo?

A: Although the connection between a NASCAR race car and true a stock one is mostly in the silhouette and the name, at the least the Charger starts with rear drive and a V-8 unlike the front wheel drive none V-8 versions of the stock Ford and Chevy. Further, the Charger Hemi also has overhead valves like the NASCAR racers.

– Ed Kemper is the auto columnist for the Honolulu Star Bulletin and MidWeek, the Weekend. He also hosts Wheels Hawaii TV on Oceanic Cable-Channel 16 in Hawaii, which is shown on Wednesday at 12:30 PM, Thursday at 1:00 PM and 5 PM, Friday at 10:30 PM and 9:30 PM, and Saturday at 9:30 AM and 4:00 PM.

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