Dodge is one of the biggest names in the American car industry, and its flagship model is the Dodge Charger. This car has been a staple of American media for decades, ever since its initial release in 1966. We’ll be looking at the evolution of the Dodge Charger and how it has changed over the years.
1969 Charger Daytona 426 V8 Hemi (Second Generation)
The first major evolution we’ll discuss is the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona 426 V8 Hemi (Second Generation). The car is probably most famous for being driven by Robbie Reyes in the hit film Ghost Rider. For fans of the film who want to relive some of the magic, there is a slot called Ghost Slider, which was themed after the film. This vehicle model was heavily influenced by the 1968 model but came with an elongated nose which helps the aerodynamics of the car. As well as being built with aero in mind, it has a 425 horsepower engine under the hood, thanks to that V8 Hemi engine. It was also the first NASCAR vehicle to pass 200mph.
1973 Dodge Charger R/T (Third Generation)
After the success of the Second Generation model in the 1960s, the 1970s brought the Third Generation to roads up and down America. These models were slightly toned down compared to the previous iterations of the car, as it was more commonly found with a Magnum 440 under the hood rather than a V8 Hemi. However, the Magnum engine could still produce 425 horsepower, and the R/T package featured a lower hood. The 1973 model also came with more safety features, such as a 5-inch rubber guard on the front bumper, after the insurance premiums for the 1971 model went through the roof!
1981 Charger 2.2 (Fifth Generation)
The 1980s saw the biggest evolution yet for the Dodge Charger, as it was redesigned entirely from a two-door hardtop to a hatchback, which was a big departure from the design of the original Chargers. There was a significant decrease in power, as the four-cylinder 2.2-litre engine only produced 94 horsepower! However, due to the much-reduced weight of the Charger, it was still a lot of fun to drive. Another major change was the introduction of front-wheel drive, something that many Charger fans didn’t like, but it fit the car’s new design.
2006 Charger SRT-8 (Sixth Generation)
In the mid-2000s, Dodge did away with the hatchback design of the Charger and brought out a monster of a sedan. It was the first Charger to be released in over 20 years and the first of its name to have four doors! It also had its largest ever engine under the hood, with a 6.1-litre Hemi V8 engine which gave it a 0-60mph time of under 5 seconds. The Charger also came with Brembo brakes as standard to help it handle all its new power.
2019 Charger SRT Hellcat (Seventh Generation)
The 2019 Charger SRT Hellcat (Seventh Generation) is the latest Dodge Charger to be released and is arguably the best yet. It’s both the fastest and most powerful production sedan in the world, with a 0-60mph time of just over 3.5 seconds and a 6.2-litre supercharged Hemi V8 engine with over 700 horsepower! This modern Charger gives you the comfort of a regular road car, with the speed and power you associate with the Charger name.
Conclusion
There have been some fantastic Dodge Chargers produced over the years, with many of the classic versions still being driven to this day. After the 2019 release, we’re all eagerly awaiting to see what Dodge can do next with the Charger.
