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Flexing Modern Muscle: Introducing the All-New
2006 Dodge Charger SRT8 -Part 2
part 1
 •The
rear fascia features integrated lower strakes to
direct air flow and aggressive cutouts to
accommodate dual 3.5-inch exhaust tips. A
dramatic decklid spoiler set on dual stanchions
increases downforce for high-speed stability and
traction.
And because SRT vehicles look as good as they
perform, a unique heritage-style SRT badge is
set into the blacked-out grill. Body-colored
exterior mirrors fold inward for convenience in
tight quarters.
Three exterior colors are available: Bright
Silver, Brilliant Black and Inferno Red Crystal
Pearlcoat.
Interior
Race-inspired interior appointments in the 2006
Dodge Charger SRT8 start with power-adjustable,
deeply sculpted and highly bolstered sport seats
in the front fitted with performance suede
inserts to hold occupants during maneuvering.
Rear seats have matching performance suede
inserts. All seats have contrasting red
stitching.
Other sporting touches include “carbon fiber”
technical leather trim on the steering wheel for
better grip, and special finishing on the center
stack.
A 180-mph (300 kph) speedometer, tachometer and
temperature gauge feature dark faces unique to
the all-new 2006 Dodge Charger SRT8. An LED
display within the gauge cluster is
driver-configurable for oil temperature, oil
pressure and tire pressure readouts.
Available options on the 2006 Dodge Charger SRT8
include power sunroof, Kicker® audio system with
six-disc CD changer, DVD-based Navigation system
with turn-by directions and voice prompts,
automatic temperature control, heated front
seats and side air bags.
Also available are SIRIUS® Satellite Radio and a
UConnect™ hands-free communications system with
Bluetooth™ technology. This system recognizes up
to seven different
Bluetooth-equipped cellular phones and responds
to voice commands, utilizing a microphone in the
rear-view mirror and the stereo system’s
speakers for hands-free conversations.
The 2006 Dodge Charger SRT8 interior is offered
in Dark Slate Grey/Light Graystone.
Powertrain
Just as the very first Charger – the original
1964 “Charger by Dodge” concept car -- sported a
HEMI V-8, the all-new 2006 Dodge Charger SRT8
gets its motivation from a HEMI, too. In this
case, it’s a big-bore, SRT-engineered version
producing 425 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of
torque.
Several features of the new 6.1-liter SRT HEMI
recall the legendary HEMI engines of previous
decades, including the namesake hemispherical
combustion chambers that provide power and
efficiency, orange-painted cylinder block, black
valve covers, and even the horsepower rating
(with less displacement, the 6.1-liter HEMI’s
69.8 horsepower-per-liter rating exceeds that of
the legendary Street HEMI of the 1960s and
‘70s).
To create the 6.1-liter version of the Chrysler
Group’s HEMI, SRT powertrain engineers applied
tried-and-true engine-building tricks honed by
generations of American hot-rodders.
They unleashed 85 more horsepower by adding more
cubic inches, increasing the compression ratio,
redesigning the cylinder head, intake and
exhaust systems for increased flow, and
increasing engine speed.
For more displacement, SRT engineers bored out
the diameter of the cylinders in the HEMI by 3.5
millimeters each in order to increase the total
displacement to 6.1 liters from 5.7 liters.
Compression ratio was also increased to 10.3:1
from 9.6:1, increasing engine efficiency and
power.
Engine breathing was increased with new
higher-flow cylinder heads, a specially designed
intake manifold, and exhaust headers with
individual tubes encased in a stainless steel
shell, all unique to the 6.1-liter HEMI engine.
Larger-diameter valves and reshaped ports in the
heads allow for maximized air flow. The intake
manifold was designed with larger-diameter and
shorter runners for higher-speed tuning. Exhaust
is routed through a large-diameter (2.75-inch
vs. 2.5-inch) exhaust system with 3.5-inch
chrome tips.
To further increase horsepower,
performance-oriented camshaft profiles were
developed to allow more air in and out of the
cylinders, as well as manage a higher engine
speed. SRT engineers increased HEMI’s peak power
output engine speed nearly 20 percent to 6,000
revolutions per minute (rpm) from 5,000 rpm.
Intake and exhaust valve stems are hollow, and
exhaust valve stems are filled with sodium to
help dissipate heat more efficiently.
The high-performance SRT 6.1-liter HEMI is
strengthened with redesigned components,
including a reinforced engine block, forged
steel crankshaft, high-strength powdered-metal
connecting rods, floating-pin pistons (cooled by
oil squirters), and an oil pan modified to
manage oil return to the pan sump at high engine
speeds.
Power for the SRT 6.1-liter HEMI is channeled
through an A580 five-speed automatic
transmission with specially calibrated
driver-selectable AutoStick®, which offers fully
automatic or manual shifting selection. A
heavy-duty four-flange prop shaft sends the
torque from the transmission to an upgraded
differential and axles.
Safety and Security Features
Following are safety and security features in
the 2006 Dodge Charger SRT8:
• Advanced Multi-stage Air Bag System: This
system inflates with a force appropriate to the
severity of the impact. It includes the occupant
classification system (OCS)
• Anti-lock Brake System: Electronic sensors
help prevent wheel lockup. The ABS system offers
improved steering control under extreme braking
and/or slippery conditions
• Electronic Stability Program (ESP): This
feature aids the driver in maintaining vehicle
directional stability, providing oversteer and
understeer control to maintain vehicle behavior
on various road surfaces
• Energy-absorbing Steering Column:
Manual-adjust telescoping steering column
includes two hydroformed coaxial tubes that move
relative to each other, which allows the column
to move forward and provide more energy
absorption during an impact
• Occupant Classification System (OCS): The OCS
measures the conditions for activation or
deactivation of the passenger-side front air bag
based upon the weight of the occupant
The 2006 Dodge Charger SRT8 will be assembled at
Brampton Assembly Plant in Brampton, Ontario,
Canada.
With a U.S. market share of approximately seven
percent, Dodge is Chrysler Group’s best-selling
brand and the fifth-largest nameplate in the
U.S. automotive market. In 2004, Dodge sold more
than 1.4 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. In 2006, Dodge also will enter key
European volume segments.
part 1
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