2006 Dodge Charger - Of Course, It's Got a HEMI
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- 2006 Dodge Charger Features Legendary HEMI(R) Power for Leading-edge Performance and Refinement - Multiple Displacement System (MDS) Improves Fuel Economy While Retaining HEMI V-8 Power - High-performance Suspension Package Offers Unequaled Ride and Handling - Standard Five-speed Automatic Transmission with AutoStick(R) for Best Combination of Performance, Fuel Economy and Smoothness
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Jan. 10 -- Modern Version of Two Legends Returns
The 2006 Dodge Charger has all the makings of a new legend. In addition to its bold, provocative styling, the all-new Dodge Charger offers true sports car performance with a high-performance suspension option, a five-speed automatic transmission and modern HEMI V-8 power.
"The rear-wheel-drive 2006 Dodge Charger will provide muscle car enthusiasts an unequaled sense of exhilaration, power and control during every drive," said Craig Love, Vice President - Rear-wheel-drive Product Team, Chrysler Group. "Our customers will appreciate the balance of characteristics drawn from the worlds of racing and street cruising."
All models in the 2006 Dodge Charger lineup come equipped with standard world-class ride and handling features, including Electronic Stability Program (ESP), All-speed Traction Control, Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) and a five- speed automatic transmission with AutoStick, which accommodates a fully automatic or manually selected gear range.
Outstanding Ride and Handling
Dodge Charger engineers included a Short-and-Long-arm (SLA) front suspension in the car for excellent handling and ride characteristics. The multi-link SLA suspension provided the opportunity to tune bushing compliances for a dramatic reduction in road noise, while maintaining vehicle dynamic handling performance.
The five-link independent rear suspension allows independent tuning of handling and ride comfort so that each can be maximized. The Dodge Charger's rear suspension complements the performance of the front suspension, resulting in a balanced ride.
All rear suspension components, except coil springs and shock absorbers, mount on a steel cradle that attaches to the body structure through four large rubber mounts that effectively isolate the passenger compartment from road and axle noise.
The Dodge Charger's chassis components have been tuned to provide spirited driving and handling performance to match the car's personality.
Three levels of suspension tuning will be available on the Dodge Charger. A standard "touring" package with 17-inch tires will include an athletic suspension with nimble steering and handling attributes.
Eighteen-inch tires and tuned dampers will offer added performance on HEMI-equipped Dodge Charger models.
An optional Performance Handling Group, designed exclusively for the Dodge Charger, also will be available for an exceptional ride with firmer damping and enhanced steering.
The Performance Handling Group suspension package includes wider 18-inch performance tires, a 9-land steering gear and Nivomat(TM) self-leveling shock absorbers. This suspension will be tuned to offer slightly more feedback from the road to enhance the glued-to-the-road feel of this driving machine. The package's performance front seats with perforated suede inserts offer significantly improved lateral control in both the seat cushion and seat back.
"Modern muscle car enthusiasts driving a HEMI-equipped Charger with the specially tuned Performance Handling Group option will truly enjoy the outstanding ride and handling characteristics of the car," said Love. "This performance package has been tailored specifically for the driving enthusiast."
Powerful Engine Options
The modern 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine with MDS has been engineered to deliver outstanding performance, reduced noise, vibration and harshness, and improved fuel economy of up to 20 percent. This engine will offer Dodge Charger customers the legendary HEMI power they want with fuel economy they will appreciate.
Aluminum cylinder heads with hemispherical combustion chambers permit outstanding airflow, which leads to 340 horsepower (254 kW) @ 5000 rpm and 390 lb.-ft. torque (525 N*m) @ 4000 rpm. Dodge Chargers equipped with HEMI engines can go from zero to 60 mph in just 6.0 seconds.
A 3.5-liter High Output V-6 engine also is available on the 2006 Dodge Charger and provides an outstanding blend of performance and fuel economy. This engine provides 250 horsepower (186 kW) @ 6400 rpm and 250 lb.-ft. of torque (340 N*m) @ 3800 rpm.
An active three-plenum intake manifold assures high power and torque over the entire operating band, while electronic control of the manifold tuning valve and short-runner valves and an Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) provide smooth operation with maximum performance and fuel economy.
High-performance Five-speed Automatic Transmission
Featured on all Dodge Charger models, a five-speed automatic transmission with AutoStick provides a full range of transmission performance to match a variety of driving styles, situations and road conditions. AutoStick offers the choice of a fully automatic or manual shift selection. This transmission is mated to both the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 and the 3.5-liter V-6 Charger engines to offer all Charger customers better performance and fuel economy.
Compact yet robust for high-torque rating, the Charger's five-speed transmission uses highly advanced electronic shift controls for a responsive, smooth feel without harshness. The system monitors the transmission as shifts occur and adjusts the hydraulic pressure as needed.
This five-speed transmission also uses an Electronically Modulated Converter Clutch (EMCC) to control torque converter clutch slippage. The EMCC provides partial engagement in third, fourth or fifth gears, which improves shift feel, fuel economy, driveability and cooling.
Muscle Car Performance with Modern Control and Handling
The new 2006 Dodge Charger features several advanced technologies that provide world-class ride and handling, and improved fuel economy and vehicle safety for truly modern muscle. These technologies offer safe control of the vehicle under a variety of conditions, opening the way for a new muscle car era.
"Never has the time been so right to bring a bold and powerful passenger car to market," said Love. "New technology advancements in fuel economy and safety have led to the development of the 2006 Dodge Charger as a muscle car for a new generation."
One example of this new technology is the Charger's MDS-equipped 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine, which seamlessly alternates between high fuel-economy, four- cylinder mode when less power is needed and V-8 mode when more power is in demand. This increases fuel economy up to 20 percent depending on driving conditions, without sacrificing vehicle performance.
"The MDS was designed into the engine from the onset," said Bob Lee, Vice President - Powertrain, Chrysler Group. "This allowed us to develop a cylinder deactivation system that is elegantly simple and completely integrated into the engine design, which means fewer parts, maximum reliability and lower cost."
Factors contributing to the success of MDS include fast electronic controls, sophisticated algorithms to control the system and the use of Electronic Throttle Control, all of which allow the Charger's HEMI engine to transparently transition from eight cylinders to four in 40 milliseconds (0.04 seconds).
Other leading-edge technologies such as ESP, All-speed Traction Control and ABS, which come standard on every Dodge Charger model, create a safer and better handling muscle car than ever before possible, in a manner not intrusive to Charger drivers.
* Electronic Stability Program (ESP), which includes an Emergency Brake Assist feature, is standard on all 2006 Dodge Charger models. The ESP system enhances driver control and helps maintain directional stability in turns, even on uneven surfaces, patchy snow, ice or gravel. If there is a discernible difference between what the driver asks through the steering and the vehicle's path, ESP applies selective braking and throttle input to put the car back onto the driver's intended path.
Emergency Brake Assist detects when maximum braking is required through sensing the rate of brake application. By applying full brake pressure to all four brakes, this system improves stopping distance.
* All-speed Traction Control enhances mobility and prevents wheel slip when accelerating on slippery surfaces. It also provides a measure of directional stability control and helps keep the car on its intended course. The system works by braking the slipping wheel in low-traction situations. However, it also can adjust the throttle control, making the vehicle less reliant on brake applications alone. State-of-the-art electronics provide a quick response time for the Charger's Traction Control system.
* Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) keeps the vehicle straight and retains steering capability while braking on slippery surfaces by preventing wheel lock-up. The state-of-the-art electronics featured on the Dodge Charger also provide a faster response time for this system.
Safety and Security Behind the Charger Wheel
The 2006 Dodge Charger's advanced technologies not only improve handling and accident avoidance, but also provide excellent crash protection.
With the use of emerging technologies, the Chrysler Group is able to incorporate both passive and active safety features into the new Dodge Charger including:
* Rear Structure: Dodge Charger engineers used simulations to optimize the rear sill reinforcement for consistent impact performance. The rear structure, including the sill reinforcement, was designed so that the spare tire rotates out of the way during a rear impact.
* Energy-absorbing Steering Column: The Dodge Charger's manual-adjust steering column features two hydroformed coaxial tubes that move relative to each other, which allows the column to move forward for enhanced energy absorption during a crash.
The 2006 Dodge Charger offers additional standard safety and security features such as advanced multi-stage driver and front passenger air bags, a front passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) for controlled airbag deployment, constant force seat belt retractors, pretensioners and Child Seat Anchor System. Also available on the Dodge Charger are side-curtain airbags for additional protection for all outboard occupants and an optional tire pressure monitoring system to alert drivers of low tire pressure.