New Car: 2011 Dodge Charger

It’s been a long wait since we first caught a camouflaged 2011 Dodge Charger rolling around. But our desire for fresh sheetmetal and an interior devoid of hard plastics has finally been fulfilled, as Dodge released its first official images and a few sparse details on the next Charger. Who’da thunk the car could get any angrier?

Back in 2005, when the previous model made its debut, many decried the use of the Charger name on a sedan. If it was attitude the naysayers sought, they ought to be satisfied now. A larger crosshair grille is nicely accented by an enlarged lower intake and better integrated with the new hood—which is aluminum, and sports two scallops recalling Chargers of the late ’60s. The sharply creased hood lines and squinting headlights give the Charger a pissed-off, snorting-bull, I’m-going-to-destroy-you scowl.

Moving to the side, the eye is immediately drawn to a scallop that again recalls the late-’60s Charger. The line’s execution is very striking, creating a natural shoulder that looks much less forced than on the previous car. The greenhouse adds to the aggressive demeanor with a faster windshield angle and a skinnier A-pillar. The beltline stays flat—as opposed to the dramatic upkick on the last car—promising better outward visibility. Dodge says the wheel wells are tighter, and filling them with the available 19-inch rims only tightens them further.

Cues from the ’60s give the stern of this animal more personality as well. The taillight valance gets a recessed look, but is fully modern in its functionality: the lights themselves are composed of 164 LEDs. The exhaust finishers are no longer an afterthought, but instead are integrated into the lower fascia on all models.

Dodge has yet to furnish an interior image, but we’ve caught a glimpse before and we know the company is promising premium soft-touch materials. A new steering wheel and a full host of technologies are on the menu, including Uconnect and navigation. Customers will be offered their choice of four interior colors.

Thanks to: Car and Driver