2015 Dodge Charger – heavily-revised muscle sedan

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The covers were pulled off the 2015 Dodge Charger as part of the company’s 100th anniversary celebrations at the New York International Auto Show (NYIAS). The four-door muscle car has seen a thorough revision despite the current generation being just four years old, with nearly every body panel replaced.

The makeover has been heavily inspired by the Dart, sporting a new blacked-out front fascia with LED daytime running lights and optional HID headlights and LED fog lights. The rear with the new “racetrack” LED tail lights and available three-piece spoiler is also reminiscent of the smaller model. Even the front doors have been changed, with a more aggressive scalloped surface.

2015 Dodge Charger R/T

Interior changes are a little more modest, but the cabin still features a new three-spoke steering wheel with optional paddle shifters, a configurable seven-inch TFT LCD gauge cluster, a revised centre console with a new climate control design, new upholstery options and a reconfigured electronic shifter designed to closer match the feel of a mechanical shifter.

Those with the current Charger will find the new car very familiar under the skin, however. The SE and SXT still get the 3.6 litre Pentastar V6 – 292 hp at 6,350 rpm and 353 Nm at 4,800 rpm for the SE, 300 hp and 358 Nm for the SXT – while R/T and R/T Road & Track models retain the 5.7 litre HEMI V8 pushing a stout 370 hp at 5,250 rpm and 536 Nm at 4,200 rpm.

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What has changed is that the TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission – previously only fitted into V6 models – is now standard across the range, finally replacing the antiquated Mercedes-sourced five-speed gearbox on the V8. 0-100 km/h on the HEMI models has dropped from 6.3 seconds to the high-five-second range. All-wheel drive option is no longer available on the R/T, becoming a V6-only option.

The 2015 Dodge Charger will be available in US dealers at the end of the year. To sweeten the deal, for a limited time buyers can lease a 2014 model now, then upgrade to the new car in a year with no additional downpayment. Buying the 2015 after the first lease will net them US$1,000 (RM3,270) in bonus cash.

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Jonathan Lee

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

 

Comments

  • Heng Lee on Apr 28, 2014 at 10:58 am

    ‘Antiquated Mercedes-sourced five-speed gearbox’?

    At least it has one gear more than Toyota’s four-speeder…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 23 Thumb down 1
  • heybadigol on Apr 28, 2014 at 11:34 am

    American muscle! Too bad with sky high prices of petrol and the move towards green cars, the legendary HEMI might be becoming obsolete soon. But it is one badass engine, and sounds like thunder. Enjoy it while you can still afford petrol :)

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 1
  • Maybe it’s just me, but i think it looks a bit ungainly.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Too Bad we malaysian can enjoy American Muscles. The only Muscle car we can have is C63 AMG which cost around RM750K.!! Look forward for Ford Mustang.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
    • mainly tax displacement issue, most people’s thinking is that for a 5 liter engine i could get a gallardo or 458 instead. Most people care about what car they are seen in and the badge, sad but true.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
      • Yes indeed its because of malaysian mentality. Some car do not sell well is not because its bad, its Malaysian “smart ass” perception towards the brand which they know no nothing about.

        Most Malaysian will think, Owh, 5.2 litre? roadtax rm15k per year..

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • nabill (Member) on Apr 28, 2014 at 12:45 pm

    Design works better here than in da dart…i think thy have a 9 speed coming end of da yr…i dont mind a 5 speed auto if its tuned properly….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • Matchy on Apr 28, 2014 at 2:03 pm

    The front looks awkward to me…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Jaybond on Apr 28, 2014 at 2:34 pm

    A BMW 5 series fighter?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • sesenol on Apr 28, 2014 at 6:58 pm

    the rear light reminds me of FD RX-7. or is it just me?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • bisakeris (Member) on Apr 28, 2014 at 7:28 pm

    the front.. ok ok.. the rear.. ok i like. overall on exterior design.. boriingg.<<

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • bisakeris (Member) on Apr 28, 2014 at 7:29 pm

    i think proton waja has a muscular design..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Brad K on Apr 28, 2014 at 10:32 pm

    I have a 2013 Charger and I dislike the changes they made. They seem to have made the headlights, grill, and taillights look like a Neon. (“I know. Let’s take our flagship car that is our most popular and powerful and re-design it so it looks like the cheapest model we ever made! Why wouldn’t the public love that?” — is probably what was said in the design meeting).

    The 2011-14 headlights and grill were some of it’s best features. The only improvement was the display updating.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Kit Grant on Nov 23, 2014 at 12:49 am

    Disappointed to see they took away the AWD option for the R/T model. Those of us who live in snow 3-4 months of the year now miss out.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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