Dodge Charger: Generations of the Legend to Buy in a Dodge Dealership Near You in Indiana
Many Dodge models exceeded expectations and became a standout success despite criticism for some design missteps. Today, a Dodge dealership near you in Indiana explores the most iconic Dodge Charger - insanely powerful and incredibly charismatic. Let’s dive in and take a look at the history of such a great monster of the American muscle car era.
History of Dodge Company
Founded in 1914, the Dodge automobile company quickly established itself as a significant player in the U.S. automotive industry. Dodge cars, known for their high quality, reliability, and affordability, carved out a niche in a market dominated by Chevrolet and Ford. However, Dodge soon demonstrated that there was room for a third contender. In 1928, the company became a vital part of the newly created Chrysler Corporation, where it has continued to play an essential role.
Dodge's ascent as a brand accelerated after World War II, as Americans sought dependable and budget-friendly vehicles. The company fit this demand perfectly, consistently delivering quality cars that propelled them to the forefront of the auto industry in terms of sales and popularity. By the 1960s, Dodge was leading the charge, offering an impressive lineup of powerful muscle cars alongside family sedans, station wagons, pickup trucks, and vans.
The Beginning of the New Class
In the second half of the 1950s, automakers began to produce cars with a power exceeding 300 hp. This contributed to the emergence of a new class - the muscle car. These Dodge vehicles were equipped with large-volume and powerful engines and were also sold quite inexpensively in line with others offering the least power.
Therefore, the Dodge automobile company, owned by the Chrysler Corporation, decided to create the Dodge Charger. Being one of the first muscle cars, the Charger is an iconic auto in American history. Presented as a concept in 1964, the first Charger model was released in 1966.
History of the Dodge Takeoff
The first generation Dodge Charger was designed as a performance car with a fastback roofline and full-width taillights. Even though the early Dodge Chargers were based on the Coronet, they could easily be mistaken for a Dodge Challenger, considering that the Dodge Charger also came with a two-door setup.
The V8 318 (5.2 l), with a capacity of 230 hp, was equipped with a two-chamber carburetor from Chrysler. The manufacturer also offered more powerful engines with four-chamber carburetors:
- V8 383 (6.3 l) — 325 hp;
- V8 426 Street Hemi (7 l) — 415 hp;
- V8 440 Magnum (7.2 l) — 375 hp.
Depending on the configuration, the Dodge had a 3-speed gearbox (manual or automatic) or a 4-speed manual.
Acceleration to 60 mph:
- 9.8 (Automatic) and 8.8 (Manual) seconds in the basic configuration with a volume of 5.2 liters;
- 6.3 l. - 7.5 sec. (Automatic), 6.7 sec. (Manual);
- 7.0 l. — 6.5 sec. (Automatic), 5.6 sec. (Manual).
The original Dodge Charger was large, with an overall length of 203.6 inches. The Charger's unique appearance featured the full-width bulging grilles and hidden headlights up front and full-width taillights in the rear. The first generation model was not a huge hit, but it gained enough popularity until the second generation when the Dodge Charger became a star.
Having captured the attention of car enthusiasts back in the 70s, the second generation of the Charger impresses. When you think of a vintage Dodge Charger, you most likely imagine the second generation. It appeared in many famous films, such as Fast and Furious, The Dukes of Hazzard, Gladiator, Dirty Mary and Crazy Larry, Death Proof, Drive Angry, and Forever Young. The styling is unlike any other car, and it was one of the most beautiful models of its time. However, the new styling was not the only thing that made the second-generation Dodge Charger so popular. Dodge equipped this model with an impressive V8 engine producing 375 horsepower.
Third Generation of Dodge Muscle Car
In 1969, the Dodge Charger Daytona saw the light of day. It was based on the second-generation Charger for NASCAR racing. The car brought great fame to the company and took first place on almost all tracks. Dodge dealerships received over a thousand orders in the first hours after the show. The production car received a nose cone to improve aerodynamic drag and a rear anti-wing, which significantly increased downforce and improved the handling of this monster. A total of 503 models arrived at Dodge dealerships, and most were sold to professional racers.
In 1971, the third-generation Dodge Charger was debuted. The third generation turned out to be just as bold and charismatic. But this time, the turning headlights became an additional option, and with it, it became possible to install an anti-wing and an air intake on the hood, also as an option. The Charger was still amazing with its V8 engines, sales in Dodge dealerships grew, and the fame of this muscle car seemed to strive to overtake it. But after the takeoff, one should expect a fall.
Failed Models And The End of Charger Production
Unfortunately, the oil problems and the subsequent economic crisis hit muscle car sales hard. There was no fuel at gas stations and simply nothing to feed the gluttonous V8s. The era of muscle cars began to die. By the end of the decade, Charger sales had fallen so much that production stopped.
In 1975, the fourth generation of the Dodge Charger was released. Fans reacted to the car with hostility and great discontent. Chrysler, roughly speaking, stuck the Charger logo on the Chrysler Cordoba model. The most powerful engine was only 190 horsepower. Due to low sales, Dodge quickly curtailed the project.
In 1983, the Charger returned. The glorious name of Charger received a front-wheel-drive subcompact with 84 hp. Even the Shelby version with 175 hp could not save the legendary series of muscle cars. Sales were so laughable that, in 1987, production shut down, and fans buried all hopes for the future.
Return of the Legend
In 2006, Dodge showed the new Charger, a rear-wheel drive sedan with a V8 engine. Fans were divided into two groups: some admired it, while others did not understand why there were two more doors in the back. Nevertheless, the new Charger stood out significantly among the uniform, gray boxes.
In 2012, the Charger SRT8 was launched into production. Incredibly powerful, aggressive, and captivating with the sound of the HEMI engine with 465 hp.
In 2015, a restyling was released, making the car body streamlined and more aggressive in appearance. The car also acquired many modifications. The most powerful of them is the Charger SRT Hellcat, with a 6.2-liter engine and a capacity of 707 hp - a sedan reaching 245 mph and covering a 2,300-foot drag strip in 11 seconds.
The chassis of this car, called LX, was time-tested and was used on such cars as the Dodge Challenger III, Dodge Magnum, Dodge Intrepid, and Chrysler 300C. Accordingly, the array of engines and trim levels was wide, so the buyers could choose what they liked.
List of trim levels you may find in Dodge dealerships near you in Indiana:
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | Acceleration to 60 mph |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.1 l, 425 hp | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 5.1 s |
| 5.7 l, 372 hp | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 5.5 s |
| 5.7 l, 368 hp | 5-speed automatic | AWD | 5.8 s |
| 5.7 l, 340 hp | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 5.9 s |
| 5.7 l, 350 hp | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 5.9 s |
| 5.7 l, 368 hp | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 5.9 s |
| 5.7 l, 340 hp | 5-speed automatic | AWD | 6 s |
| 3.5 l, 250 hp | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 7.6 s |
| 3.5 l, 250 hp | 5-speed automatic | AWD | 8.2 s |
| 2.7 l, 190 hp | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 10.1 s |
| 2.7 l, 178 hp | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 10.2 s |
The Charger Muscle Car Is Back in Dodge Dealerships in Indiana!
In 2024, Dodge introduced a new generation of the model - battery-powered Charger Daytona and gasoline-powered Charger Sixpack, but the latter will appear only next year. All that is known about the Charger with a six-cylinder internal combustion engine is that the most powerful modification will produce 550 hp. The company told more about the electric car:
- 400-volt architecture and 496 hp (Daytona R / T) or 670 hp (Daytona Scat Pack).
- All-wheel drive, almost perfect weight distribution, limited-slip rear.
- The most powerful version accelerates to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds, and the time on a ¼ mile distance is 11.5 seconds, which is comparable to the Nissan GT-R.
- Power reserve — up to 317 miles.
- Special modes for drifting, “donuts” and warming up tires.
- Fratzonic system with speakers that imitate a loud exhaust.
- Equipment includes a 10.25” digital instrument cluster, 12.3” multimedia, projection, adaptive cruise control, climate control, blind spot monitoring, and other driver assistance systems.
In addition to the two-door, there will also be a four-door version.
Whether you are a fan of old-school muscle cars or progressive electric vehicles, the Dodge Charger can embrace it all. Visit the Indy Auto Man used Dodge dealership near you in Indiana to test drive this legendary model and buy your dream car already today!
