2011 Dodge Charger SRT8 Revealed

[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.