2011 Dodge Charger SRT8 Revealed

[TUFCAT]

The front end is well....., just plain ugly.

The SRT8 just went from the nicest looking model - to the ugliest.

[Khyron]

It's Bush's fault!



HA! FIRST!

[71ChallengeHer]

     

[elanmars]

welcome to obama's america!

jk.

[Richard Cranium]

If you're going to copy another brand's grille, why choose an ugly-ass Audi?   

[Ghoste]

They really and truly just don't get it do they?

[TruckDriver]

  

[daveco]

I see a HUGE aftermarket opportunity there. I'll call the company "NoT UglY Grills"

[clanton]

No matter how hard they try, they will never bring back the days of the mullet.....

[moparstuart]

No matter how hard they try, they will never bring back the days of the mullet.....

the good ole days    

[bull]

The front end is well....., just plain ugly.

The SRT8 model just went from the nicest looking - to the ugliest.

Soooo, when was it nice looking? Apparently I missed that.

[Ghoste]

I think he meant nicest of the series.

[Khyron]

No matter how hard they try, they will never bring back the days of the mullet.....

the good ole days   

WOW! you knew the crocodile hunter??!?!?!?!?!

[mikesbbody]

That's one Angry looking Car! and the Mullet...who ever said they went out of style! 

[clanton]

That's one Angry looking Car! and the Mullet...who ever said they went out of style! 

You'd be angry too if you were that ugly....I mean with a mullet. 

[clanton]

Thats a car only a drunk driver would love.

[Fitz73Chrgr]

If you're going to copy another brand's grille, why choose an ugly-ass Audi?   

They didn't.  It's obviously a Lancer Evolution. 

Guess they didn't feel like re-designing the rear end, because they just stuck the tail light of the Challenger on it.

[DC_1]

Well its creator seems to like it.......

http://multimedia.detnews.com/pix/photogalleries/autosgallery/2011_Chicago_Auto_Show/

[DC_1]

I like it but I am still unhappy about the Charger name being used on it.

Although the grille/bumper treatment could have been a little more original. That particular style has been a trademark look of Audi and is now being copied too much by others.

[mamatried01]

Rear looks good.

[mikesbbody]

That's one Angry looking Car! and the Mullet...who ever said they went out of style! 

You'd be angry too if you were that ugly....I mean with a mullet. 

I'll man up...I did have a Mullet once but Hey! it was the 80's they were acceptable back then 

[Mikesmoparperformance]

Why is that? the charger get more worse! That man is a audi fan for sure! The new 2012 charger looks

They make the  challenger  every time better and better

[chargerjy9]

as much as I have tried to defend the new model for 2011, that SRT8 grille is just plain ugly. I can't stand the look started by Audi. really I just don't get it

[AirborneSilva]

that front end looks like a whale shark feeding 

[Chris G.]

as much as I have tried to defend the new model for 2011, that SRT8 grille is just plain ugly. I can't stand the look started by Audi. really I just don't get it

They totally screwed the front on this thing and sales will show it. 

[66mopar]

Wasn't the Superbird considered awful looking by a lot of people back in the day?

The Superbird's styling proved to be a little extreme for 1970 tastes (many customers preferred the regular Road Runner), and as a consequence, many of the 1,920 examples built[3] sat unsold on the back lots of dealerships as late as 1972. Some were converted into 1970 Road Runners to move them off the sales lot. In recent years, however, the Superbird has become quite valuable.

[66mopar]

Looks like a cobra snake to me.

[UH60L]

Wasn't the Superbird considered awful looking by a lot of people back in the day?

The Superbird's styling proved to be a little extreme for 1970 tastes (many customers preferred the regular Road Runner), and as a consequence, many of the 1,920 examples built[3] sat unsold on the back lots of dealerships as late as 1972. Some were converted into 1970 Road Runners to move them off the sales lot. In recent years, however, the Superbird has become quite valuable.

The difference is, in 30 years, most of these will have been crushed and turned into 7up cans, and the few remaining will serve as examples of what not to do. (and won't be worth what a Superbird is now worth.(or Daytona for that matter)).

[Rustymuscle]

Personally, I've been a big supporter of the small steps that have been made to bring the Charger closer to the '99 concept than ever before. But frankly, the current SRT8 fascia and body kit unravels a lot of good faith I had. Sorry, this and the awful misuse of the R/T on the Caravan, Journey and Durango are pretty reprehensible.

[Khyron]

Wasn't the Superbird considered awful looking by a lot of people back in the day?

The Superbird's styling proved to be a little extreme for 1970 tastes (many customers preferred the regular Road Runner), and as a consequence, many of the 1,920 examples built[3] sat unsold on the back lots of dealerships as late as 1972. Some were converted into 1970 Road Runners to move them off the sales lot. In recent years, however, the Superbird has become quite valuable.

please dont compair this awful looking bag of ass to a superbird ;-)

[BigBlackDodge]

Wasn't the Superbird considered awful looking by a lot of people back in the day?

The Superbird's styling proved to be a little extreme for 1970 tastes (many customers preferred the regular Road Runner), and as a consequence, many of the 1,920 examples built[3] sat unsold on the back lots of dealerships as late as 1972. Some were converted into 1970 Road Runners to move them off the sales lot. In recent years, however, the Superbird has become quite valuable.

Mopar only cared how the Superbird did at the race track, not how it looked.



BBD

[daveco]

Wing cars were pure function, The 2011 SRT's function seems to be filtering food from sea water.

[Manfred318]

Wing cars were pure function, The 2011 SRT's function seems to be filtering food from sea water.

[TK73]

Simply one of the most AMAZING cars I've seen!!

Too bad it was not made...

[daveco]

That car was originally a two door, hastily diced up into a four door at the last minute...
More evidence of a saboteur in the design dept.

[TK73]

That car was originally a two door, hastily diced up into a four door at the last minute...
More evidence of a saboteur in the design dept.

The concept or production?

[69_500]

Personally I like it. Call me weird or whatever but I think it looks good.

[TK73]

That car was originally a two door, hastily diced up into a four door at the last minute...
More evidence of a saboteur in the design dept.

Missed ya before you logged out.  I will conclude that you are referring to the concept.

In the 12 years since the concept was on the circuit that is the first time I have heard it started out as a 2-door. Unless you have some fairly solid evidence that it was, your statement is incorrect.

[tracpack440]

Yes it looks like a plankton eater. You cant fix ugly. You can just make it more fugly

[pipeliner]

I think the Concept,the new Charger and the Superbird are all ugly as hell

[daveco]

That car was originally a two door, hastily diced up into a four door at the last minute...
More evidence of a saboteur in the design dept.

Missed ya before you logged out.  I will conclude that you are referring to the concept.

In the 12 years since the concept was on the circuit that is the first time I have heard it started out as a 2-door. Unless you have some fairly solid evidence that it was, your statement is incorrect.

There was an article in AutoWeek Magazine where this was discussed, I'll try to find it. The concept car pictured was converted into a four door, from it's original two door design. This was done when "retro" was in a holding pattern. I am certain this is true.

[DustinSimmonds]

I don't know, I kinda like the SRT8 for the 2012! I like how they added the 6.4L badge.

[chargerjy9]

That car was originally a two door, hastily diced up into a four door at the last minute...
More evidence of a saboteur in the design dept.

Missed ya before you logged out.  I will conclude that you are referring to the concept.

In the 12 years since the concept was on the circuit that is the first time I have heard it started out as a 2-door. Unless you have some fairly solid evidence that it was, your statement is incorrect.

actually, his statement is quite correct. I know. I was there, working, in the Chrysler styling studio, It started out as a two door, but it was based on the old LH (Intrepid) platform (read; front wheel drive) as such, it had to be a 4 door. At the last minute, before it was to go on the show circuit, Design Office threw some black tape lines on it to show it as a 4 door. because it was based on the LH it was never meant to be put in production, as the Daimler guys decided at that time, that direction would be changed to do a rear wheel drive platform that would use many Mercedes components, hence LX (Chrysler 300 et al )

[TK73]

Interesting...


My apologies daveco

[Bigun426]

The Shelby Cobra nose just ain't working on this car. Just seen my first 2011 at the dealership today and that noise looks like a giant zit on pretty face.

[Hissing Cobra]

I've never liked the re-introduction of the new era of Chargers. To me, Chrysler ruined the name once again. They did it in the '80's with the 2.2 Turbocharged Chargers that resemebled the Fox Bodied Mustangs and they've done it again with the new generation. To me, a Charger MUST have the hideaway headlights, "C" shapes in the doors, pop up gas caps and the Coke Bottled shape. Once they put the four doors on it, they should have called it a Satellite.

That being said, they've done a wonderful job with the new Challengers. I hope they don't ruin the styling of those and turn them into a steroid induced monster like Chevy did with the new Camaro.

[Charger440RDN]

As ugly as it is, it would absolutely destroy the Superbird on a track. The engine power and technology is there but the looks are not.

[TK73]

As ugly as it is, it would absolutely destroy the Superbird on a track. The engine power and technology is there but the looks are not.

Uh oh, now ya gone and done it...

DUCK!!

[UH60L]

As ugly as it is, it would absolutely destroy the Superbird on a track. The engine power and technology is there but the looks are not.

So, did you read the part where they said the top speed is 175 MPH?

Superbirds were running up at the 200 MPH mark in NASCAR.  They were built for NASCAR tracks, so if your refering to a drag strip, you are quite literally comparing apples to tangerines.

I don't know of any American car that can hit 175 MPH in the quarter, stock from the factory.  I'm wagering that SRT won't either.

[Hemidog]

It REALLY resembles the new Mitsubishi Lancers, maybe Chrysler still har some ties with them 

[BigBlackDodge]

As ugly as it is, it would absolutely destroy the Superbird on a track. The engine power and technology is there but the looks are not.

So, did you read the part where they said the top speed is 175 MPH?

Superbirds were running up at the 200 MPH mark in NASCAR.  They were built for NASCAR tracks, so if your refering to a drag strip, you are quite literally comparing apples to tangerines.

I don't know of any American car that can hit 175 MPH in the quarter, stock from the factory.  I'm wagering that SRT won't either.

Superbirds from the factory were not going 200 mph. The Nascar birds were highly modified to run at those speeds, they were far from stock cars even back then. Also, the 22 car just won at Daytona going well over 200 mph in race trim. You can't compare stock cars with race cars, two different animals.


BBD

[UH60L]

Exactly the point I was trying to make, you can't compare a Superbird, that was made with NASCAR in mind (wing, nose cone) to a current day production car, running at, I presume, the drag strip.

Even the Factory Superbirds were not made for drag racing.  Standard roadrunners were faster. 

 

[UH60L]

By the way, in a video released last friday the 11th, the engineer / designer resposible for the 2011 charger sheetmetal mentioned that they would have done the 2006 differently if they had known ahead of time that it was gonna be a charger.  He said they had the car most of the way built and then the marketing people told them it would be called charger.

Not trying to start yet another argument, just pointing out that it's not just "old timers" or "purists" or "people stuck in the '70s" or whatever people want to say.  Even the designers didn't like the idea of putting that name on that car.

Here is a link, hopefully it works:

http://www.autolinedetroit.tv/show/1507?play

[bull]

By the way, in a video released last friday the 11th, the engineer / designer resposible for the 2011 charger sheetmetal mentioned that they would have done the 2006 differently if they had known ahead of time that it was gonna be a charger.  He said they had the car most of the way built and then the marketing people told them it would be called charger.

http://www.autolinedetroit.tv/show/1507?play

The link works. It's a bittersweet revelation to know that they would have done things much differently had they known what name it was going to be assigned. Bitter in that the execs/marketing people really didn't/don't give a rat's a$$ about Chrysler's heritage and sweet knowing that the designers really do care about it now and six years ago when they were blind-sided with the name assignment. I was actually surprised to hear the words "second generation Charger" escape Joe Dehner's lips when talking about the design influence they would have used had they known it would be called Charger, and the fact that that influence is being used now. Obviously it is being used in the new model but the sad thing is they've had the wrong name on the car for the past five years so now they have to try blending two visually unrelated cars into something that looks decent. This is where miscommunication, disloyalty, 11th hour decision-making and a disregard for time-honored heritage gets you: A confused and frustrated design, a confused and frustrated designer and confused and frustrated potential customers (us).

[NGC414]

Personally, I've been a big supporter of the small steps that have been made to bring the Charger closer to the '99 concept than ever before. But frankly, the current SRT8 fascia and body kit unravels a lot of good faith I had. Sorry, this and the awful misuse of the R/T on the Caravan, Journey and Durango are pretty reprehensible.

At least Pontiac used the front end to make the sunfire for a few years. LOL

[68X426]

A confused and frustrated design, a confused and frustrated designer and confused and frustrated potential customers (us).

Brilliant observations. Thank you.

[Chargen69]

man this discussion never gets old

[DustinSimmonds]

man this discussion never gets old

I know right, this is always fun!  But hey guys, the new Charger is a refresh. They just wanted the Charger to deserve the name more! Imagine what we will be looking at with an entire new model. We wont have to worry about the Charger living in the 06-10 shadow. That will give them a chance to really get it right! I'm really excited, they love the Charger, and I like to think these new guys will get it right. Further more with the cross-hairs grille gone, There is room for a retro grill! 

[UH60L]

I like the effort they made with the looks of the 2011 car.  I too am excited to see what the next version will look like, especially since they annouced that dodge will not use the cross hair grill anymore. 

Please Dodge, through a '68 to 74 looking front end on there, and smooth out the top of the fenders and hood.  That, to me would make a huge difference.

I'd still like a two door, but it's getting there.

Wonder how much Mr Nrom would charge to convert it?

[BigBlackDodge]

As long as the Challenger is around there will be no 2 door retro Chargers. They will not create competition between their own cars.


BBD

[Orange_Crush]

I like it but I am still unhappy about the Charger name being used on it.

Although the grille/bumper treatment could have been a little more original. That particular style has been a trademark look of Audi and is now being copied too much by others.

Really?

[Rustymuscle]

I was bored with Photoshop over the weekend. While the nose is a mess and needs a lot of work, I like the way the two-door hardtop and spoiler-less tail look.

[Orange_Crush]

If you are so inclined, you can always pain the bumper section body color.

[Ponch ®]

If you are so inclined, you can always pain the bumper section body color.

damn...I havent been a big fan of the new front fascia since I first saw it, but that does look pretty badass.