Flexing Modern Muscle: Introducing the All-New 2006 Dodge Charger SRT8
24 Mars 2005 - 6:01AM
PR Newswire (US)
Flexing Modern Muscle: Introducing the All-New 2006 Dodge Charger
SRT8 - Dodge Charger + 425-horsepower 6.1-liter HEMI(R) + SRT = a
car only Dodge can offer - Balanced Performance: the quickest sedan
in the Dodge lineup, plus race-bred handling, world-class braking -
SRT Performance: 0-60 mph in 5-second range, 0-100-0 mph in mid
16-second range, 60-0 mph in approximately 110 feet NEW YORK, March
24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- When Dodge unveiled the all- new 2006
Dodge Charger into its lineup, performance-car aficionados had a
lot to celebrate. The party gets kicked up a notch with the
introduction of the all-new 2006 Dodge Charger SRT8. With its
infusion of Street and Racing Technology (SRT) DNA, the all-new
2006 Dodge Charger SRT8 provides exactly what performance
enthusiasts want in their American muscle sedan: more power,
world-class ride and handling, benchmark braking, functional and
aggressive-looking exterior enhancements and a race-inspired
interior. "The all-new Dodge Charger embodies all of the key
attributes of the Dodge brand -- bold, powerful, street-smart and
full of life," said Darryl Jackson, Vice President, Dodge
Marketing, Chrysler Group. "The all-new 2006 Dodge Charger SRT8
builds on the Dodge formula. It starts with a 425-horsepower
6.1-liter HEMI(R) engine and continues with a powerful dose of
renowned Street and Racing Technology performance for a tremendous
performance-per-dollar value story." During the heyday of the
original Dodge Charger, performance was measured mainly in
straight-line numbers. Today, SRT adds a complete approach with the
all-new 2006 Dodge Charger SRT8. "The SRT approach to performance
is multi-dimensional," said Dan Knott, Director, Street and Racing
Technology, Chrysler Group. "For example, the 2006 Dodge Charger
SRT8 incorporates Brembo brakes to stop as well as it accelerates.
Its handling is world-class across a dynamic range. Its interior is
designed specifically for the performance driver. And its
performance exterior characteristics don't just look great, they're
also functional." As an all-around performer, the all-new 2006
Dodge Charger SRT8 is capable of awe-inspiring numbers unheard-of
in a muscle sedan: 0-60 mph in around 5 seconds, quarter-mile time
in the 13-second range and braking distance from 60-0 mph in
approximately 110 feet. The Dodge Charger SRT8 is also capable of
accomplishing SRT's signature performance test of 0-100-0 mph in
the mid 16- second range. Ride and Handling Chassis improvements on
the 2006 Dodge Charger SRT8 include SRT-tuned dampers, specially
tailored spring rates and suspension bushings, and large- diameter
anti-sway bars. The ride height of the 2006 Dodge Charger SRT8 is
one-half inch lower than the Dodge Charger. Handling is enhanced
for performance with an Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
specially tuned for the 2006 Dodge Charger SRT8. The all-new 2006
Dodge Charger SRT8 rides on unique SRT-developed five- spoke
20-inch forged aluminum wheels. Tires are high-performance Goodyear
Supercar F1 three-season tires with asymmetrical tread (four-season
tires are an available option) -- 245/45/20 in the front, and
255/45/20 in the rear. Braking Balanced performance demands the
ability to slow and stop a vehicle in proportion to the ability to
accelerate. The braking system of the all-new 2006 Dodge Charger
SRT8 provides benchmark braking performance, befitting the Charger
SRT8's extreme performance character. All four wheels feature
Brembo performance brake calipers, with the red finish
characteristic of all Dodge SRT vehicles. Each four-piston caliper
grips a vented rotor; 360 x 32mm discs up front, with 350 x 26mm in
the rear. Exterior Functional performance is at the heart of the
SRT credo. To that end, an all-new front fascia includes integrated
ducts that help direct fresh air to cool the brakes. The front
fascia also incorporates an air dam to reduce lift. The hood is
equipped with a scoop to funnel cool air into the engine
compartment. The rear fascia features integrated lower strakes to
direct air flow and aggressive cutouts to accommodate dual 3.5-inch
exhaust tips. A dramatic decklid spoiler set on dual stanchions
increases downforce for high-speed stability and traction. And
because SRT vehicles look as good as they perform, a unique
heritage- style SRT badge is set into the blacked-out grill.
Body-colored exterior mirrors fold inward for convenience in tight
quarters. Three exterior colors are available: Bright Silver,
Brilliant Black and Inferno Red Crystal Pearlcoat. Interior
Race-inspired interior appointments in the 2006 Dodge Charger SRT8
start with power-adjustable, deeply sculpted and highly bolstered
sport seats in the front fitted with performance suede inserts to
hold occupants during maneuvering. Rear seats have matching
performance suede inserts. All seats have contrasting red
stitching. Other sporting touches include "carbon fiber" technical
leather trim on the steering wheel for better grip, and special
finishing on the center stack. A 180-mph (300 kph) speedometer,
tachometer and temperature gauge feature dark faces unique to the
all-new 2006 Dodge Charger SRT8. An LED display within the gauge
cluster is driver-configurable for oil temperature, oil pressure
and tire pressure readouts. Available options on the 2006 Dodge
Charger SRT8 include power sunroof, Kicker(R) audio system with
six-disc CD changer, DVD-based Navigation system with turn-by
directions and voice prompts, automatic temperature control, heated
front seats and side air bags. Also available are SIRIUS(R)
Satellite Radio and a UConnect(TM) hands-free communications system
with Bluetooth(TM) technology. This system recognizes up to seven
different Bluetooth-equipped cellular phones and responds to voice
commands, utilizing a microphone in the rear-view mirror and the
stereo system's speakers for hands-free conversations. The 2006
Dodge Charger SRT8 interior is offered in Dark Slate Grey/Light
Graystone. Powertrain Just as the very first Charger -- the
original 1964 "Charger by Dodge" concept car -- sported a HEMI V-8,
the all-new 2006 Dodge Charger SRT8 gets its motivation from a
HEMI, too. In this case, it's a big-bore, SRT- engineered version
producing 425 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque. Several
features of the new 6.1-liter SRT HEMI recall the legendary HEMI
engines of previous decades, including the namesake hemispherical
combustion chambers that provide power and efficiency,
orange-painted cylinder block, black valve covers, and even the
horsepower rating (with less displacement, the 6.1-liter HEMI's
69.8 horsepower-per-liter rating exceeds that of the legendary
Street HEMI of the 1960s and '70s). To create the 6.1-liter version
of the Chrysler Group's HEMI, SRT powertrain engineers applied
tried-and-true engine-building tricks honed by generations of
American hot-rodders. They unleashed 85 more horsepower by adding
more cubic inches, increasing the compression ratio, redesigning
the cylinder head, intake and exhaust systems for increased flow,
and increasing engine speed. For more displacement, SRT engineers
bored out the diameter of the cylinders in the HEMI by 3.5
millimeters each in order to increase the total displacement to 6.1
liters from 5.7 liters. Compression ratio was also increased to
10.3:1 from 9.6:1, increasing engine efficiency and power. Engine
breathing was increased with new higher-flow cylinder heads, a
specially designed intake manifold, and exhaust headers with
individual tubes encased in a stainless steel shell, all unique to
the 6.1-liter HEMI engine. Larger-diameter valves and reshaped
ports in the heads allow for maximized air flow. The intake
manifold was designed with larger-diameter and shorter runners for
higher-speed tuning. Exhaust is routed through a large-diameter
(2.75-inch vs. 2.5-inch) exhaust system with 3.5-inch chrome tips.
To further increase horsepower, performance-oriented camshaft
profiles were developed to allow more air in and out of the
cylinders, as well as manage a higher engine speed. SRT engineers
increased HEMI's peak power output engine speed nearly 20 percent
to 6,000 revolutions per minute (rpm) from 5,000 rpm. Intake and
exhaust valve stems are hollow, and exhaust valve stems are filled
with sodium to help dissipate heat more efficiently. The
high-performance SRT 6.1-liter HEMI is strengthened with redesigned
components, including a reinforced engine block, forged steel
crankshaft, high-strength powdered-metal connecting rods,
floating-pin pistons (cooled by oil squirters), and an oil pan
modified to manage oil return to the pan sump at high engine
speeds. Power for the SRT 6.1-liter HEMI is channeled through an
A580 five-speed automatic transmission with specially calibrated
driver-selectable AutoStick(R), which offers fully automatic or
manual shifting selection. A heavy-duty four-flange prop shaft
sends the torque from the transmission to an upgraded differential
and axles. Safety and Security Features Following are safety and
security features in the 2006 Dodge Charger SRT8: * Advanced
Multi-stage Air Bag System: This system inflates with a force
appropriate to the severity of the impact. It includes the occupant
classification system (OCS). * Anti-lock Brake System: Electronic
sensors help prevent wheel lockup. The ABS system offers improved
steering control under extreme braking and/or slippery conditions.
* Electronic Stability Program (ESP): This feature aids the driver
in maintaining vehicle directional stability, providing oversteer
and understeer control to maintain vehicle behavior on various road
surface. * Energy-absorbing Steering Column: Manual-adjust
telescoping steering column includes two hydroformed coaxial tubes
that move relative to each other, which allows the column to move
forward and provide more energy absorption during an impact. *
Occupant Classification System (OCS): The OCS measures the
conditions for activation or deactivation of the passenger-side
front air bag based upon the weight of the occupant. The 2006 Dodge
Charger SRT8 will be assembled at Brampton Assembly Plant in
Brampton, Ontario, Canada. With a U.S. market share of
approximately seven percent, Dodge is Chrysler Group's best-selling
brand and the fifth-largest nameplate in the U.S. automotive
market. In 2004, Dodge sold more than 1.4 million vehicles. Dodge
continues to lead the minivan market segment with a 20 percent U.S.
market share and maintains an 18 percent share of the highly
competitive truck market. In 2006, Dodge also will enter key
European volume segments. DATASOURCE: Chrysler Group CONTACT:
Daniel Bodene, +1-248-512-2920, , or Todd Goyer, +1-248-512-0041, ,
both of Chrysler Group Web site:
http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com/
http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/
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