2015 Dodge Charger

The wait is over for the all-new 2015 Dodge Charger, though with a quick glance at the photos, it seems ‘all-new’ is a bit of a stretch. But while everything but the front grille may look carried over, nearly every body panel has been updated. The subtle changes continue inside with a reworked dashboard, a more techno-laden gauge cluster, a new center stack, and a sweet T-handle gear selector.

Things under the hood are still familiar, too. The base 3.6-liter, Pentastar V-6 returns, as does the venerable 5.7-liter, HEMI V-8. The transmission options have changed, however. The eight-speed TorqueFlite automatic is now standard across the board, helping the Pentastar V-6 achieve 31 mpg highway while assisting the 5.7-liter HEMI sprint to 60 mph in roughly 5 seconds.

The interior sees a host of electronic upgrades and new technologies within Chrysler’s latest version of Uconnect. Voice texting, updated 3D navigation, WiFi hotspot capabilities, and the all-new Dodge Performance pages all find a home within the 8.4-inch touch screen. That latter item holds a plethora of performance options and customizable settings including launch control and its rpm settings, performance timers, extra gauges, and even a g-force meter.

Matching the updated and more upmarket interior is the Charger’s reworked outer skin. The most noticeable changes lie up front with its more Dodge Dart -like appearance. Around to the sides are scalloped doors still flowing into the large rear haunches and then to a detail-rich rear fascia. A new crop of wheels completes the 2015 transformation.

Updated 10/20/2014: Dodge announced prices for the entire 2015 Charger lineup which will go on sale at a starting price of $27,995 for the base SE version and goes up to $47,385 for the top SRT 392 version.Exterior

 Dodge Charger Dodge Charger
 Dodge Charger
the front end does resemble the down-turned, snarling snout of the Dart, with its smaller grille opening, squinty headlights, and glossy-black crosshairs. Flowing upward from the center crosshair is an accent line traveling onto the new hood.

The majority of the changes for 2015 include the updated exterior. The obvious changes up front along with the more subtle changes out back make the Charger look more like a longer, wider Dodge Dart Dodge Dart . And on an initial impression, that’s not necessarily a good thing. Then again, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

More objectively, the front end does resemble the down-turned, snarling snout of the Dart, with its smaller grille opening, squinty headlights, and glossy-black crosshairs. Flowing upward from the center crosshair is an accent line traveling onto the new hood. The all-new sheet metal includes a larger power dome than before and new ‘bow wake’ accent lines trailing rearward of the grille. The high-arching fender bulges complete the look.

LED fog lamps, turn signals, and daytime running lights – along with HID headlights on premium trims give the updates a bit of polish.

Out back the large LED taillight assembly returns, though with a new tweaks to match the Dart look-alike theme. The look is cleaner than before, but also less menacing. A new rear three-piece decklid spoiler adds extra vertical height, while the integrated chrome-tipped dual exhaust bring attentions downwards. No less than seven new 20-inch wheel options come on the Charger and two new ‘heritage’ paint colors help bring in a retro flair. Other wheel sizes are available on lesser trim models, totaling 10 wheels altogether.

The more rounded overall appearance and Dart-like features of the new Charger has, at least in my opinion, weakened its image. Generally automakers allow their small cars to carry cues and themes from the larger, more powerful and expensive cars to help liven up the lineup; not the other way around. The Charger seems to have lost its wide-shoulder stance from the previous year. Is the 2015 Charger still an awesome car with a great powertrain lineup and rear-wheel-drive? Yes. The exterior changes haven’t negated the muscle car characteristics still rumbling through those dual exhausts tips.

2015 Dodge Charger - Exterior Dimensions


 Dodge Charger Dodge Charger
 Dodge Charger
A new steering wheel is present, also shared by the Dodge Durango.

The familiarity continues inside the burly four-door sedan. The dashboard layout, center stack and door panels are all returning with minor changes. A new steering wheel is present, also shared by the Dodge Durango. The wheel’s multifunction buttons control the center 7-inch TFT screen inside the gauge cluster, scrolling through numerous menus and customizable displays. Also new for 2015 is the T-handle gear selector. It’s still an e-shifter like all TorqueFlite transmission selectors are, but this one just looks like it has a meaty row.

In the center stack, an available 5.0- or 8.4-inch infotainment screen predominantly resides. Both feature the latest version of Chrysler’s Uconnect software. The system includes voice control, voice texting, WiFi hotspot connectivity, Bluetooth, updated 3D navigation, and the available Beats audio system. What’s more, Uconnect will allow occupants to stream wirelessly internet radio from Aha, iHeartRadio, Pandora, and Slacker through the system, with the controls located on screen verses just on the smartphone or tablet.

2015 Dodge Charger - Interior Dimensions

Front
Head room 38.6 (981)
36.9 (938.4) with sunroof
Legroom 41.8 (1,061)
Shoulder room 59.5 (1,510)
Hip room 56.2 (1,428)
Seat travel Driver — 10.0 (255)
Passenger — 8.66 (220)
Recliner angle range, deg. Power — 70.7
Manual — 70
EPA front row interior volume, cu. ft. (cu. m) 55.6 (1.573)
Rear Seat
Head room 36.6 (930.6)
36.6 (930.6) with sunroof
Legroom 40.1 (1,019)
Knee clearance 3.9 (99)
Shoulder room 57.9 (1,472)
Hip room 56.1 (1,425)
EPA second row interior volume, cu. ft. (cu. m) 49.2 (1.393)
GalleryDodge Charger
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Drivetrain

 Dodge Charger
Powering the Charger forward are the two returning engines from last year: the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 making 292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque; along with the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 making 370 horsepower and 395 pound-feet.

Powering the Charger forward are the two returning engines from last year: the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 making 292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque; along with the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 making 370 horsepower and 395 pound-feet. The Pentastar does enjoy a power boost to 300 horsepower and 264 pound feet of toque with the optional Rallye Appearance Group which adds a cold-air intake, sport-tuned exhaust, and a recalibrated ECU.

Fuel economy for the 3.6-liter is impressive, even in its 300-horse configuration, getting 31 mpg highway. The HEMI isn’t quite as good on gas, though it does benefit from cylinder deactivation, variable valve timing, and the extra gears in the 8-speed automatic for 2015. Dodge Dodge hasn’t released the actual numbers yet, but the 2014 Charger got 25 mpg highway with the old 5-speed auto, so improvements should be expected. Both RWD and AWD are available, thought the HEMI/AWD combination is no longer an option.

Sadly, Dodge hasn’t mentioned anything regarding the Hellcat engine within the Charger lineup. It’s possible that announcement will come later in the car’s life.

A Sport mode is optional as well and when selected, drops transmission shift times down from roughly 400 milliseconds to around 250, making shifts cleaner and more exciting.

Keeping all that power in check is a host of safety equipment. Full-speed Forward Collision Warning-Plus, Adaptive Cruise Control Plus, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist, Park Sense, Brake Assist, and an updated rearview camera with overlaid guidelines for accurate backing.

2015 Dodge Charger - Drivetrain Specifications

Type and Description 5.7-LITER HEMI® V-8 90-degree V-type, liquid-cooled with variable-cam timing (VCT) 3.6 V-6 60-degree V-type, liquid-cooled
Displacement 345 cu. in. (5654 cu. cm) 220 cu. in. (3604 cu. cm)
Bore x Stroke 3.92 x 3.58 (99.5 x 90.9) 3.78 x 3.27 in. (96.0 x 83.0 mm)
Valve System Pushrod-operated overhead valves, 16 valves, eight deactivating and eight conventional hydraulic lifters, all with roller followers Chain-driven DOHC, 24 valves, hydraulic end-pivot roller rockers
Fuel Injection Sequential, multiport, electronic, returnless Sequential, multiport, electronic, returnless
Construction Deep-skirt cast-iron block with cross-bolted main bearing caps, aluminum alloy heads with hemispherical combustion chambers Aluminum deep-skirt block with aluminum-alloy heads
Compression Ratio 10.5:1 10.2:1
Power (SAE net) 370 bhp (276 kW) @ 5,250 rpm (64.9 bhp/liter) — R/T 292 bhp (218 kW) @ 6,350 rpm (81.1 bhp/liter)
300 bhp (224 kW) @ 6,350 rpm (83.3 bhp/liter) with Rallye Appearance Group
Torque (SAE net) 395 lb.-ft. (536 N•m) @ 4,200 rpm — R/T 260 lb.-ft. (353 N•m) @ 4,800 rpm
264 lb.-ft. (358 N•m) @ 4,800 rpm with Rallye Appearance Group
Max. Engine Speed 5,800 rpm (electronically limited) 6,400 rpm (electronically limited)
Prices

 Dodge Charger
Model Price
Dodge Charger SE $27,995
Dodge Charger SE AWD $30,995
Dodge Charger SXT $29,995
Dodge Charger SXT AWD $32,995
Dodge Charger R/T $32,995
Dodge Charger R/T Road & Track $35,995
Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack $39,995
Dodge Charger SRT 392 $47,385
Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat $63,995
Rendering

 Dodge Charger
We have a sneaking suspicion that we’re in for a sleeker and more aerodynamic Charger in 2015. The headlights were recently teased, so those were easy to figure out. The cross-hair grille is more rounded, and the headlights are fully revised, giving the fascia a smoother look. The hood also becomes more aerodynamic, the doors are more streamlined, and the roofline has almost a coupe-like look. Given we haven’t seen any spy shots of this upcoming revision, we are pretty much flying blindly here. Let us know what you think of the render in the comments below.

Competitors

Ford Taurus

 Ford Taurus
Launched in 2010 and refreshed in 2013, the sixth-generation Ford Taurus is a bit younger than the Charger. Also a front-wheel-drive vehicle, the Blue Oval-badged sedan is more suited to fight against the Impala, leaving the Charger to rule the rear-wheel-drive turf on its own.

The entry-level Taurus is powered by a naturally-aspirated 3.5-liter V-6 that generates 288 horsepower and 254 pound-feet of torque. The available 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-pot sends 240 horsepower and 270 pound-feet to the wheels, while the twin-turbo 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6, which is available only with the SHO model with all-wheel drive, tops the lineup at 365 horsepower and 350 pound—feet of torque.

On the fuel economy front, the 2014 Taurus returns up to 29 mpg highway and 19 mpg city, according to estimated provided by the EPA. Ford’s largest sedan is priced from $26,780, while the range-topping SHO begins at $39,980.

GalleryFord Taurus
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Chevrolet Impala

 Chevrolet Impala
The tenth-generation Impala, which is larger and more upscale than the previous model, was introduced in 2013 for the 2014 model year. Sharing underpinning with the Cadillac XTS, the Impala sits on a front-wheel-drive configuration and comes with a choice of three powertrains.

The base model is motivated by a 2.5-liter, inline-four unit that delivers 195 horsepower and 187 pound-feet of torque, while the available 3.6-liter V-6 cranks out 305 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of torque. The third powertrain option is a 2.4-liter with eAssist "hybrid" that outputs 182 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. Don’t hold your breath for a V-8 competitor for the range-topping Charger. Ain’t gonna happen!

Fuel efficiency ratings go as high as 31 mpg highway for the 2.5-liter version. The Chevrolet Impala starts from $27,535, which makes it only $540 more expensive than the current Charger. The top-level LTZ trim with the V-6 engine will fetch at least $36,580 until Chevy decides otherwise.

GalleryChevrolet Impala
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2014 Chevrolet SS

 Chevrolet SS Performance
For those looking to get their V-8, four-door muscle car on, but don’t fancy the Charger, Chevrolet does have an answer. The Chevrolet Chevrolet SS made its way all the way from the Land Down Under as a re-badged Holden Holden Commodore, and it carries with it a 6.2-liter V-8 that is sure to get the family to Sunday brunch in a hurry, thanks to its 415 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque.

This massive V-8 hooks up to a six-speed auto trans that delivers power to the rear wheels, which allows it to hit 60 mph in a scant 4.9 seconds. This certainly isn’t your grandma’s comfy Caprice, ladies and gentlemen...

The only problems with the SS is that its base price of $45,770 is way up there, putting it in between the the Charger R/T and SRT8, and that it is not the easiest car to find at dealers.

Gallery  Chevrolet SS Performance
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Dodge Charger

 Dodge Charger SRT Dodge Charger SRT
 Dodge Charger SRT
When introduced in 1966, the Dodge Charger was a two-door coupe meant to take on rival offering from Ford Ford and General Motors. The vehicle went on to become an iconic figure in the muscle car era, before being discontinued in 1978.

The Charger nameplate was revived in 1983 as a subcompact, front-wheel-drive model powered by inline-four engines, but quickly disappeared after the 1987 model year.

Dodge ultimately revived the Charger for the 2006 model year, creating quite a buzz putting the famous badge on a four-door sedan. The past eight years, the Charger received numerous special edition models paying tribute to the classic model, including the Daytona R/T , the Super Bee , and, more recently, the Scat Pack .

Conclusion

 Dodge Charger
The new Charger is definitely a more evolutionary change more than an revolutionary one. The overall design of car is still unchanged despite the new front and rear fascias and reworked interior. The addition of the TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic to the HEMI engine helps move the Charger into this decade and further up the mpg scale, though its disappointing both engines are completely unchanged from last year.

Perhaps the design will grow better with time and familiarity, but at the first few glances, it’s hard not to see the Dart’s skimpy personality tacked onto a once-menacing car. Sure, the new Charger looks mean, but in a different way. It just seems to have lost ‘the look.’ Perhaps this new look with come of age, but right now, the Charger looks like a boated Dart.