New 2006 Dodge Charger

Press Release

2006 Dodge Charger Production

Production of the 2006 Dodge Charger begins this spring at the Brampton Assembly Plant in Brampton, Ontario, Canada. The Dodge Charger will join the Dodge Magnum and Chrysler 300 vehicles already built there.

The Dodge Charger will be available in North American markets early this summer and in select markets in Latin America and the Middle East in late 2005.

Charging Off the Line in NASCAR Nextel Cup Competition

After a 30-year absence, Charger returns to the track beginning in February 2005. The historic Dodge Charger nameplate returns to NASCAR Nextel Cup competition as the successor to the race-winning Dodge Intrepid race cars of 2001- 2004, and to the storied Dodge Charger race cars of the late 1960s and early 1970s that earned several national championships.

Following the adage that “racing improves the breed,� motorsports competition has long been part of the Dodge heritage. From engineering labs in Auburn Hills, Mich., to shop floors in Charlotte, N.C., Dodge, its teams and its dealers live the philosophy it takes to be successful in the ultra-competitive world of racing.

“We’re very excited about the new Charger. Not only does it bring back one of the great names in racing history, but it also reinforces the racing heritage of the Dodge brand,� said John Fernandez, Director � Dodge Motorsports Operations, Chrysler Group. “Our goal is to return the Charger to the winner’s circle, which is where I first saw it as a boy watching Richard Petty, Buddy Baker and Bobby Issacs dominate the early days of NASCAR.�

Charger to Build on Dodge Presence in Passenger Car Market

With a U.S. market share of approximately seven percent, Dodge is the fourth-largest nameplate in the United States and the eighth-largest nameplate in the automotive industry. In 2004, Dodge sold more than 1.1 million vehicles. Dodge continues to lead the minivan market segment with a 20 percent U.S. market share and maintains an 18 percent share of the highly competitive truck market.

Yeah, It’s Got a HEMI!

The 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine produces 340 horsepower (254 kW) and 390 lb.-ft. (525 N•m) of torque. It offers more power and torque than any Dodge passenger car engine since the legendary 426 HEMI of the ’60s and ’70s. The modern HEMI engine has been engineered to deliver outstanding performance and reduced noise, vibration and harshness, resulting in a highly refined powerplant.

Across the entire Chrysler Group product portfolio, the total HEMI engine take-rate is about 45 percent on vehicles offering the engine. More than 500,000 HEMI-equipped Chrysler Group vehicles have been sold since the new HEMI engine was introduced for the 2003 model year. Products available with the HEMI include: Dodge Ram Pickup, Dodge Durango, Dodge Magnum, Chrysler 300 and Jeep® Grand Cherokee.

2006 Dodge Charger – Modern Design for Today’s Muscle Car Enthusiasts

• Dodge Designs Modern Muscle into Coupe-styled Sedan
• All-new Four-door with Heart and Soul of Legendary Charger
• Comfortable, Capable and Versatile

Striking Mix of Legendary Cues and Bold Modern Styling

The design of the all-new 2006 Dodge Charger nods with respect in the rearview mirror at the muscle cars of the ‘60s, but then boldly revs forward into the 21st century with modern style and muscle.

The bold front end, long hood, short deck and fastback are attributable to Dodge and the famed muscle car era. Its upscale coupe styling and fastback design create a modern statement of power, all with the versatility of a four-door sedan.

The affection for the golden era of the American muscle car and the smiles it still brings to today’s driving enthusiasts were not lost on the designers of the new Dodge Charger.

“The muscular body form, bold front end and coupe-like profile make the new Charger very contemporary and fresh in its execution,� said Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President � Design, Chrysler Group.

This new car is sporty, sexy, bold and powerful. Yet, with all its innate aggression, it was designed to be beautiful. The lines on the Charger are gracefully drawn and highlight its muscular character. The Charger enjoys the classic proportions that are indicative of classic rear-wheel-drive vehicles, but are shaped very differently.

Dodge designers created a modern, convenient four-door sedan with the heart and soul of the legendary Charger coupe of the past.

The front end of the Dodge Charger clearly carries the look of Dodge – bold, powerful, capable and street smart. A mixture of Dodge DNA can be seen in the shamelessly bold grille and Viper-like sneering eyes. The Charger’s nose was designed to lean into the wind with confidence. Angled, dual headlamps set at the far corners are shielded to create the unmistakable face of Dodge.

The profile of a fast roof and pronounced strong shoulders grab the attention of muscle car enthusiasts, while the Dodge Charger’s performance, handling and power complete the package. Even when sitting idle, the car looks menacing, ready to move at a moment’s notice, hinting at the power beneath the bulging hood and displaying an attitude that is uniquely Dodge.

The Charger’s rear decklid has the effect of a race-car-like, sheered-off cam tail. This gives the car a no-nonsense appeal and improved aerodynamics. The fast backlite is flanked by sculpted pillars, which hint at the flying buttress C-pillars of past Chargers.

The Dodge Charger offers seating that is more than two inches higher than the previous generation of Chrysler Group sedans for a better command of the road. Despite this, the Charger’s coupe-like profile does not compromise rear-seat passenger headroom.

With its aggressive roofline, bold rear fender forms over the rear wheels, distinctive tapered side-glass opening and flush door handles, the new Dodge Charger is truly a four-door sports coupe.

Inside, the 2006 Dodge Charger sports a driver-oriented cockpit designed with a performance mindset. The cockpit features a sleek instrument panel and Viper-inspired tunneled gauges highlighted with white faces and silver-colored accent rings. The instrument cluster’s electroluminescent display is easy-to-read in all lighting conditions.

Additional silver accents on the steering wheel, center stack bezel, shift knob and door remote add world-class flair to the Dodge Charger interior and support the overall philosophy of a driver-oriented design efficiency.

A two-tone interior color scheme featuring a darker upper color and a lighter lower color provide the cabin with an open feeling and surround the driver with a sporty, functional yet simple environment.

Comfortable, Capable and Versatile Interior Space

The spacious interior and a raised command-of-the-road seating position offer Dodge Charger passengers an extremely comfortable, yet stylish and versatile seating arrangement.

Offered with fabric or leather-trimmed seats, the Dodge Charger’s interior sports world-class attention to detail, fit and finish. The Charger’s spacious interior provides ample seating for five adults and offers storage throughout.

“The Chargers of the ’60s were distinctly styled, conveying fast, powerful and affordable performance,� said Creed. “That was a winning design formula then, and that’s our design formula for 2006.�

Exterior Colors:

The 2006 Dodge Charger is available in seven exterior colors, including Bright Silver Metallic, Inferno Red Crystal Pearl, Brilliant Black, Magnesium Pearl, Midnight Blue Pearl, Cool Vanilla and Silver Steel Metallic.