Super Charger: Dodge unveils hemi-powered Daytona R/T models

[nadepalma]

http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=102184

Super Charger: Dodge unveils hemi-powered Daytona R/T models
ANDREW LUU

Posted Date: 4/12/05

Sure, you’d like the full-dress Dodge Charger SRT-8, with its 6.1-liter, 425-hp Hemi V8, but who wants to wait around until
fall to buy the hottest model in the lineup? What’s a red-blooded American Dodge boy to do?

Grab the limited-edition 2006 Charger Daytona R/T, 8000 of which go into production this summer. In Daytona trim the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 produces 350 hp, up 10 ponies thanks to a freer-flowing exhaust. The suspension benefits from a handling package with higher-performing Michelin all-season tires, Nivomat load-leveling shocks, and performance brake pads and steering gear.


Daytona R/T comes in just two colors, “Go Man Go” metallic orange borrowed from the 1970 Charger, and “Top Banana,” another shade from Charger history. The package includes an exclusive front fascia and chin spoiler, black honeycomb grille, “Daytona,” “Hemi” and “R/T” decals, painted 18-inch wheels, flashier exhaust tips and a black decklid spoiler.

Bottom line: You get all the attention-grabbing potential of an SRT-8 without the tire-shredding aptitude of the top performance model. You can decide whether or not this is a good thing.


The Charger Daytona R/T starts at $32,495. Other Charger models go on sale this spring, including the base 2006 Charger SE with a 3.5-liter, 250-hp V6 that starts at $22,995, and the uplevel Charger SXT V6, for $25,995.

The 340-hp Hemi V8-powered Charger R/T, which Dodge says will account for about 60 percent of sales, starts at $29,995.

[nadepalma]

THIS should be the kind of vehicles that GM needs to produce...not in Go ManGo and Top Banana necessarily, but exciting cars with appeal.

Just my opinion.

[Perian]

I saw an article yesterday stating that the Charger build will be 62% Hemi from job-one!!

[gacSTclass]

I love the flat black...!

[corey76]

I'm sorry, no, not on a 4 door. Oh and personally I find this somewhat insulting to the most covetted muscle cars on earth. Hemi Chargers, Cuda's, and Challengers have all been disgraced now.

[clarkcarty]

And in case anybody didn't know, the Hemi is made in Mexico. Not quite as bad as the 3.4 in the Equinox made in China.

[91fairladyZ]

Even though they disgraced the name, they are still puting out desireable product at an affordable price.

[dafg]

I love that car

[spdwayGm]

"The 340-hp Hemi V8-powered Charger R/T, which Dodge says will account for about 60 percent of sales, starts at $29,995."

Or i can get a FWD Impala "ss" with a v8 for $37k.

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

No wonder its a 60% build rate.

[zeobandit]

That is a cool looking car. The Charger is really growing on me.

[gacSTclass]

4-doors, better as a Polara?

[greazy]

Originally Posted by corey76

I'm sorry, no, not on a 4 door. Oh and personally I find this somewhat insulting to the most covetted muscle cars on earth. Hemi Chargers, Cuda's, and Challengers have all been disgraced now.

And Impalas? And GTOs?

Personally I think this is much more in spirit than a modern day Impala or Monte. Even with the extra doors. I might buy one.

j

[stevecmh]

These models look alot better than the standard ones, i think the blacked out grills help.

[tripowergto]

Originally Posted by stevecmh

These models look alot better than the standard ones, i think the blacked out grills help.

Yeah, the blacked out grills help hide the crosshairs so it doesn't scream Dodge truck so much.

The 400 HP 2 door 05 GTO is a better buy!!

[JOHN1243]

GEE! Why don't I bring out my AMC Matador to race it?? No, that would be too confusing to everyone. At least the Matador had 2 doors.

Come on. Does anyone think this is a styling mishap besides me??


JOHN