2011 Dodge Charger Revealed With New Bodywork, More Powerful and Efficient 3.6L V6

Colum Wood
by Colum Wood

After much anticipation Dodge had finally taken the wraps off the facelifted 2011 Charger. Now normally a mid-cycle refresh doesn’t get much publicity, but there’s a great deal of attention being paid to the new Chrysler family products now that Fiat Execs back in Italy are in charge of the American automaker. The Charger also represents one of the stronger models in the Dodge lineup and big changes were promised that go well-beyond just a nip-tuck.

For the most part Dodge has delivered, with a swoopier design that is supposed to more closely resemble the second-gen Charger that dates from 1968-1970. Included in the redesign is a more prominent “split crosshair” grille as well as a massive rear taillight assembly that’s made of 164 LEDs.

Dodge has confirmed the new 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 will be the new base engine, although no power or fuel economy numbers have been released. It is expected to get 290-hp and 270 ft-lbs of torque – an increase of 40-hp and 20 ft-lbs.

R/T models will then get the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with Chrysler’s FuelSaver Technology that allows the big V8 to operate on just 4-cylinders when full power isn’t needed. R/T models will be available with an optional AWD setup that operates as a RWD system until added grip is needed.

And to help all that power go around corners, Dodge has redesigned the suspension geometry to deliver a more nimble package.

No photos of the new cabin have been released but Dodge is promising a big step forward, while also claiming improvements in minimizing road noise and powertrain sound. Dodge claims the new car will deliver a, “level of quality, capability and refinement that rivals the very best European, Asian and North American E-segment sedans.”

GALLERY: 2011 Dodge Charger

Official release after the jump:

Dodge Brand Product Onslaught Continues: Introducing The All-new 2011 Dodge Charger, World-class Performance And Precision With An Iconic Soul

October 5, 2010 , Auburn Hills, Mich. – With its iconic character, contemporary fastback four-door coupe proportions, world-class performance, craftsmanship and refinement, and state-of-the-art connectivity features, the all-new 2011 Charger is the Dodge brand’s flagship that proudly delivers premium, world-class E-segment sedan precision at an incredible value.

The efficient and aerodynamic exterior of the 2011 Dodge Charger is spiritually inspired by the iconic second-generation Charger from the late 1960s, featuring a design that is sure to strike an emotional chord with Dodge performance enthusiasts of all generations.

With its sinister “ready to attack the road” face, the all-new Dodge Charger puts the world’s best E-segment sedan competitors between its new “split crosshair” signature grille. Its sculpted all-new body is a conscious nod to its deep heritage and muscle-car roots. The Charger’s profile is also a modern affair, a result of countless hours in the wind tunnel, from its lower hood line, faster windshield and radically raked back headlights to its tighter wheel openings, lower sill and race-car-like flat underbody, the Charger effortlessly cuts thought the air with its attitude intact. The aluminum hood features dual “scallops” that bring a sculptured, performance look to the front end, while large body-side scallops deliver a striking undulating A-line across the doors. Running front to rear is the iconic horizontal “coke bottle” or “double-diamond” body-side styling that creates a tapering silhouette accented with muscular front and rear fenders and gives the Dodge Charger one of the most distinct profiles on the road. Defining the fastback’s wide stance is an all-new signature taillamp design that incorporates 164 illuminating LEDs to form its signature “racetrack” graphic and gives the new Charger its unmistakable character from blocks away.

The 2011 Dodge Charger’s interior cockpit is meant to be an enthusiast office. The all new design feature premium materials throughout. Transmitting the performance chassis’ world-class feel of the road, the all-new Charger features a new thick-rimmed three-spoke Dodge steering wheel for enhanced performance feel and grip. Crafted in world-class materials, Charger’s passengers are surrounded with comfort, craftsmanship and style, thanks to premium soft-touch materials and four available distinct interior color combinations. The all-new 2011 Dodge Charger’s state-of-the-art Uconnect® Touch integrates world-class infotainment and convenience technologies to keep passengers connected, comfortable and secure. From segment-leading Garmin® navigation, to dual-zone climate controls and the ability to check fuel prices with the integration of available SIRIUS Travel Link, Uconnect Touch delivers an excellent experience for Charger’s driver and passengers.

Maximizing its unibody’s world-class structural stiffness, Dodge Charger engineers were able to tune the cabin for sound quality (rather than sound level) by isolating powertrain, road and wind noise. In addition, Charger’s unibody packages material and structural design improvements, including dual-pane acoustic windshield and front-door side glass, body-cavity silencing foam, under-flush roll-framed doors with triple seals and acoustic wheel-well liners to absorb road noise and quiet the cabin. Combined, these design improvements place the all-new Dodge Charger’s interior sound quality among the best in the E-segment.

As the Dodge brand’s flagship, the chassis of the all-new 2011 Charger is designed, engineered and fine-tuned to deliver a level of quality, capability and refinement that rivals the very best European, Asian and North American E-segment sedans. With its new second-generation E-segment rear-wheel drive (RWD) architecture, Dodge Charger features world-class suspension-tunings with re-designed geometry making for a nimble, balanced chassis that will build the Charger’s legend as one of the best driving sedans in the world.

Engineered to perform against the best E-segment sport sedans, the all-new 2011 Dodge Charger SE and Charger Rallye feature the new 3.6-liter Pentastar engine for world-class levels of power, refinement, technology and fuel efficiency. For maximum thrills, efficiency and best-in-class power, the new Dodge Charger R/T lineup features the legendary 5.7-liter HEMI™ V-8 engine with four-cylinder mode FuelSaver Technology.

The all-new 2011 Dodge Charger R/T with all-wheel-drive (AWD) features a re-thought stance and 19-inch wheels to make it much more appealing than ever before. The AWD preserves the Charger’s character and deepens its performance envelope in the most treacherous conditions. The Charger AWD features a segment-exclusive active transfer case and front-axle disconnect system to improve fuel economy by up to 5 percent. No other major automotive manufacturer offers the combination of these two independent technologies. Dodge Charger’s innovative AWD system seamlessly transitions between RWD and AWD with no driver intervention. When all-wheel drive is not required, the system automatically disconnects the front axle to maximize fuel economy while still providing the outstanding performance and handling inherent in rear-wheel drive vehicles.

The all-new 2011 Dodge Charger features more than 65 safety and security features, including standard Keyless Enter-N-Go and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with segment-exclusive Ready-alert Braking and Rainy Day Brake Support safety features to improve overall vehicle handling and performance both on and off the track. Safety and security features available for the first time on the Dodge Charger include adaptive-cruise control (ACC) with forward-collision warning (FCW), blind-spot monitoring (BSM) with rear cross path (RCP) detection and ParkView™ rear back-up camera with grid lines, all designed to provide the driver with added confidence while behind the wheel.

Built at the Brampton Assembly Plant in Brampton, Ont. (Canada), the 2011 Dodge Charger arrives in showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Colum Wood
Colum Wood

With AutoGuide from its launch, Colum previously acted as Editor-in-Chief of Modified Luxury & Exotics magazine where he became a certifiable car snob driving supercars like the Koenigsegg CCX and racing down the autobahn in anything over 500 hp. He has won numerous automotive journalism awards including the Best Video Journalism Award in 2014 and 2015 from the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). Colum founded Geared Content Studios, VerticalScope's in-house branded content division and works to find ways to integrate brands organically into content.

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