New Dodge Charger 2010: Performance in Style 

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Summary

2010 Dodge Charger, which is a large car, shares its basic design with Chrysler's 300 sedan. Charger should continue to come in four trim levels: base SE, mid-level SXT, sporty R/T, and high-performance SRT8. All should remain rear-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive will likely remain available on the SXT and R/T. SE should continue to have a 178-hp 2.7-liter V6 engine and a 4-speed automatic transmission. Likely remaining optional on SE and standard on SXT is a 250-hp 3.5-liter V6; a 4-speed automatic transmission should continue to be standard with rear-wheel drive while AWD versions should continue to have a 5-speed. The SRT8 will likely have a 425-hp 6.1-liter Hemi V8 and a 5-speed automatic without cylinder deactivation. Available safety features should include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags.

Full Preview 2010

Confirmed for 2010 are redesigned full-size sedans in the form of a new Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300. The 3.6 liter is supposed to provide 280 hp with better mileage than the current 250 hp 3.5 liter.

Available Trim Levels

Charger should continue to come in four trim levels: base SE, mid-level SXT, sporty R/T, and high-performance SRT8. All should remain rear-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive will likely remain available on the SXT and R/T. SE should continue to have a 178-hp 2.7-liter V6 engine and a 4-speed automatic transmission. Likely remaining optional on SE and standard on SXT is a 250-hp 3.5-liter V6; a 4-speed automatic transmission should continue to be standard with rear-wheel drive while AWD versions should continue to have a 5-speed. R/T models will likely continue to get a version of Chrysler's 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 370 hp. R/T should continue to have a 5-speed automatic and Chrysler's Multi-Displacement System cylinder deactivation.

Consumer Test Drive

Multi-Displacement System switches between four and eight cylinder operation without interrupting power flow. SRT8 models are bona fide muscle cars, reaching 60 mph from a stop in just 5.0 seconds.

In Consumer Guide testing, rear-drive 3.5 V6 models averaged 17.9-21.6 mpg; extended-use-test Charger SXT averaged 19.4 mpg over 6147 miles.
SRT8 averaged 14.3 mpg in mostly city driving, 16.9 in mostly highway driving. Dodge recommends regular-grade gas for the 2.7 V6, 89-octane for the 3.5-liter V6. Premium-grade gas is recommended for both V8 engines.

The SRT8 in reality will likely have a 425-hp 6.1-liter Hemi V8 and a 5-speed automatic without cylinder deactivation. R/Ts and SRT8s have more tire roar than other Chargers. Wind rush evident at highway speeds.

Safety Features

 

Available safety features should include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags. Likely remaining optional on the R/T is the Road/Track Performance Package, which includes 20-inch wheels, performance suspension, and heated front seats.

The Charger features linear steering with good road feel with good stability at highway speeds. Test rear-drive V8 models negotiated rainy roads without undue slip.

Interior Design

2010 Charger is spacious with ample headroom and legroom. Generously sized seats, but flat cushions allow occupants to slide during aggressive cornering. SRT8 and Charger R/T with Road/Track Performance Group address this problem with sport buckets. SRT8 seats have good lateral support  and outstanding comfort. Thick front roof pillars obscure view to front corners.

Charger has easy entry and exit with great room for two. Charger's trunk is usefully sized and shaped, but a relatively small opening complicates loading bulky objects.

Conclusions

Car sites, Blogs, and auto shows have been hyping up the concept Dodge Challenger to the point where you would think that the car is almost ready to roll off of a DCX assembly line. If the Challenger was available for sale today the waiting list would be many months long. Such is the demand for a retro car that takes its styling cues right from the '71 Challenger.

Based upon this information, the 2010 Challenger should meet or exceed any and all of these tests. A new engine platform and some tweaks should make 2010 Challenger a must see for any car enthusiast. Yes, the Challenger won't be in new car showrooms any time soon. For those of us waiting with 'baited breath' we'll have to console ourselves with the many blogs, sites, and car shows hyping the car. As it currently stands, the car will be built as Daimler Chrysler has given its blessing to the new Challenger.