Dodge Shows Rendering of New Chrysler 300-Based Charger and NASCAR Variant
New Dodge Charger Will Succeed in the Showroom No Matter How It Does on the Track
While an important announcement for NASCAR fans, a recent artists rendering of the upcoming Dodge Charger, the third LX car to be
based on the popular new Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum, is probably equally as intriguing to Canadas new car buyers. After all, the photo is a first glimpse of what may be the most important new LX to surface yet considering that it will be the automakers most affordable.
Expected to enter the market with three engine options, much like its sport wagon counterpart, including a 190 horsepower 2.7-liter V6, a 250 horsepower 3.5-liter V6 and a 340 horsepower 5.7-liter HEMI V8, an SRT-8 version is also expected with something close to the 425 horsepower 6.1-liter HEMI as first shown in the Chrysler 300 SRT8.
The NASCAR version will make even more power than the SRT-8, of course, and no doubt will be capable of a more commanding top speed.
Dodge has a history of racing NASCAR in Chargers from 1966 to 1977, albeit the sporty two-door coupe version that also saw popularity in the muscle car scene during much of the same period. The Charger racked up 124 wins over the years, six of which were taken by Charger Daytonas, the legendary model that featured a tall rear wing and hidden headlamps under a raked nose. King Richard (Petty) took the most wins at 37, while Bobby Isaac came in a close second with 36 and David Pearson still respectable at 17 checkered flags.
No doubt Dodge will win with its street-tuned Charger when it comes available, if early sales of the Chrysler 300 are any indication. The Dodge will be less expensive, and feature a similar high-quality interior with Mercedes-Benz derived switchgear, plus M-B sourced chassis architecture, 5-speed automatic transmission, steering rack, and more. Its German engineering mixed with North American brawn makes for a highly refined, yet brutally quick sports sedan in 300C trim, attributes that should transfer over to the new Charger as easily as they have to the superb Dodge Magnum sport wagon.
Whether or not the sales success of the new LX cars will transfer to wins at the track is impossible to speculate, but theres a lot riding on the automaker doing well on the series many ovals and few road courses. GM, Ford and soon some Asian competitors will be duking it out at high speed, and seeing victories goes a long way to developing brand loyalties, despite the race cars having little in common with anything that will ever be allowed on city streets.
In the end, however, whether the Charger sees the checkered flag first or last on race day most likely wont make a great deal of difference on how well it performs in the showroom, as it seems destined for sales success due to bold styling, expected top-tier driving dynamics, available HEMI power, and an assuredly competitive price point. But a four-door Charger? Thats going to be a hard pill to swallow for some Mopar fans.