The Dodge Charger SRT8® makes a return to the performance car market in
2012 bringing intelligent performance features and more power to the
brand's iconic four-door fastback coupe.
New for the 2012
Charger SRT8 is the 470 horsepower 6.4-liter HEMI® V-8 that features 45
more horsepower and 50 more lb.-ft. of torque across a significantly
wider rpm range, new exhaust system technology for improved fuel
efficiency, along with new paddle shift technology and adaptive damping
suspension for optimal driver control.
Performance numbers for
the 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 include 0-60 mph acceleration in the high
4-second range; quarter mile in the high 12-second range; 0-100-0 mph
in less than 16 seconds; top speed of 175 mph and stopping power from
60-0 mph in 120 feet.
Awe-inspiring powertrainUnder the
hood, the new 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 delivers 45 more horsepower and 50
more lb.-ft. of torque than the 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 it replaces up 11
percent to 470 horsepower (351 kW) and up 12 percent to 470 (637 N?m)
lb.-ft. of torque.
Even with the elevated power numbers, an
estimated 25-percent fuel economy increase on the highway is achieved
by use of a new-for-2012 active valve exhaust system that allows the
standard Fuel Saver Technology (four-cylinder mode) to engage over a
wider rpm range for improved efficiency or the use of all eight
cylinders when the extra power is needed. The new active valve exhaust
system also allows for straight-through mid and rear mufflers for a
throaty exhaust note under engine load.
The 2012 Dodge Charger
SRT8 features an active intake manifold and high-lift camshaft with cam
phasing to provide maximum low-end torque, including an additional 80
lb.-ft. of torque at 2,900 rpm for strong standing starts while
optimizing high-end power.
The proven five-speed automatic
transmission features new, standard steering wheel mounted paddle
shifters that join the center console mounted Auto Stick, allowing for
a choice of spirited shifting on both the road and the race track. Both
methods give the driver the ability to manually select specific gears
on the transmission.
In "Drive," the transmission controller
will automatically shift the vehicle. The aggressiveness of the
shifting is defined by the mode chosen - either "Normal" or "Sport."
Fully adaptive electronic control of all shifting makes the powertrain
more responsive while minimizing harshness.
In "Manual," the
shift method is defined by the driver choosing to use either paddle
shift or Auto Stick. The "Sport" mode adds a hold function to the
calibration in all gears, allowing the driver full control of the
shifting schedule.
Outstanding ride, handling and capabilityA
standard adaptive damping suspension (ADS) system is new for 2012 and
tuned specifically for the Dodge Charger SRT8. The ADS system uses a
wide range of on-road and driver inputs, such as vehicle speed,
steering angle, steering speed, brake torque, throttle position and
lateral acceleration, to automatically tune the suspension for specific
conditions.
When drivers manually choose between the "Auto" and
"Sport" settings, the shock damping characteristics are quickly changed
from an everyday performance ride to a much firmer race track capable
damping for more challenging driving situations.
The performance
SRT-tuned, fully hydraulic steering system also is improved with a new,
heavy-duty pump and revised gearing to give drivers more direct feel
and on-center response.
Maximum handling rating for the 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 is .88g on the skidpad.
New,
split five-spoke, 20 x 9 inch lightweight forged and polished aluminum
wheels with black painted pockets provide great looks, and the
available three- or four-season tires make the 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8
easy to handle and fun to drive in any condition.
Benchmark brakingThe
2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 can stop on a dime. World-class stopping power
from 60-0 mph in 120 feet comes through 14.2 inch (front) and 13.8 inch
(rear) vented/slotted rotors with four-piston Brembo calipers painted
red. Improved brake cooling and fade performance at all four corners
comes courtesy of a new underbody belly pan with integrated brake
ducting.
The Ready Alert Braking system anticipates when the
driver quickly releases the accelerator pedal and may initiate an
emergency brake stop. The electronic stability control pump then
engages to set the brake pads against the rotors, speeding up the time
required for full brake application.
Aggressive and functional exteriorThere
is no mistaking the high performance look of the 2012 Dodge Charger
SRT8 through the exclusive high-gloss black front grille, grille
surround, Dodge crosshair next to the signature SRT badge and the 6.4L
HEMI badges on each fender.
A new for 2012 performance-sculpted hood features a black air exhauster for added engine cooling.
Exterior
paint color choices for 2012 include Black, Bright Silver, Bright
White, Redline Red and Tungsten. Unique side-sill cladding is painted
to match the body color.
In the rear, the Charger SRT8's new
signature "race track" taillamp design with 164 illuminating LEDs sits
just below a new rear spoiler. New 4-inch round dual exhaust tips are
positioned inside of the new rear fascia while the SRT8 decklid badge
boldly shows the Street and Racing Technology DNA.
Race-inspired and high-performance interiorBuilding
upon the all-new design from 2011, the interior environment of the 2012
Dodge Charger SRT8 combines more world-class accommodations with
race-inspired technology and appointments.
An all-new,
leather-wrapped, SRT-exclusive steering wheel features a unique satin
chrome rim section with a flattened bottom surface that showcases the
SRT logo. The standard paddle shifters flank both sides of the new
steering wheel behind the new contoured palm rests.
For the
high-performance look, Dark Engine Turn fiber aluminum interior trim
pieces are integrated into the new instrument panel and shifter bezel.
Both
front seats have unique, aggressive bolstering under the Nappa leather
and Axis perforated suede insert fabric to help "grip" the driver and
passengers, keeping them in place during spirited driving. Front seats
are also heated and ventilated and have the SRT logo embroidered in the
seat backs. Reactive headrests are standard.
Modified door trim panels feature unique bolster material that matches the seats.
Interior
color combinations include black, and new for 2012 Radar Red/Black,
which adds color to the seats, door trim panels and center console
cover.
Passengers in the rear also benefit on cool days with heated rear seats.
The
new full-color graphic Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
with exclusive Performance Pages includes timers for 0-60 mph,
one-eighth mile and quarter-mile times, 60-0 braking distance, along
with lateral and longitudinal g-forces within the touchscreen display.
The
new instrument panel's 8.4-inch color touchscreen display - the
segment's largest standard display - also has all the same Performance
Pages data as the EVIC, and is further expanded to include steering
angle, horsepower and torque outputs along with engine gauges. The
display is customizable to a driver selectable background.
Safety and securityThe
2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 features more than 65 advanced safety and
security features, including standard Keyless Enter-N-Go and electronic
stability control (ESC) with segment-exclusive Ready Alert Braking and
Rain Brake Support safety features to improve overall vehicle handling
and performance.
In addition, standard front-row reactive head
restraints, standard full-length side-curtain air bags, driver's knee
air bag and standard front seat-mounted side-thorax air bags offer
enhanced occupant protection to passengers in the event of a collision.
The
available Driver Confidence Group adds Blind Spot Monitoring, Forward
Collision Warning, Rear Cross Path detection and SmartBeam® headlamps.
Connectivity and InfotainmentNew
for 2012, the Dodge Charger SRT8 features a standard 900-watt,
19-speaker premium SRT performance audio surround-sound system from
Harman Kardon®. The system offers world premier innovation, featuring a
32-volt TPS (Tracking Power Supply) 12-channel Class D amplifier that
delivers outstanding acoustics and brings multi-dimensional, quality
sound for all interior occupants.
The new system uses GreenEdge®
speaker and amplifier technology to offer superior sound quality and
high Sound Pressure Level outputs with minimum energy consumption.
GreenEdge amplifiers alone outperform traditional amplifier efficiency
by up to 55 percent, representing a net efficiency of more than 90
percent in some cases. The speakers are tuned for maximum efficiency
and perfectly matched to the amplifier output.
The system's 19 GreenEdge high-efficiency speakers include:
- Seven 3.5-inch Unity Coaxial mid-range speakers with seven integrated
tweeters located in the front dash, rear doors and rear deck
- Two 6 x 9-inch subwoofers located in the front doors
- Two 6 x 9-inch subwoofers in the rear deck
- One 10-inch subwoofer in the rear deck
The
intuitive user interface for the system is controlled through the
state-of-the-art Uconnect® Touch on the largest standard touchscreen
display (8.4-inch) in the segment. Benchmarked against the best
E-segment sedans from Europe, Asia and North America, the easy-to-use
system also features Uconnect Voice to deliver world-class
functionality to keep all passengers easily connected, comfortable and
secure.
The Uconnect Touch system has been upgraded for 2012,
adding handsfree texting with compatible Bluetooth devices, voice
commands for Garmin® navigation, SIRIUS Traffic and more iPod® control
features to expand on the system's connectivity and convenience
technologies.
Safety and ease-of-use is a priority, and the
upgraded Uconnect Touch 8.4 and 8.4N models with handsfree texting keep
passengers even more connected through voice commands. With a
compatible Bluetooth® phone, Uconnect Touch enables text-to-speech for
incoming text messages and provides the driver with recorded
speech-to-text responses for outgoing messages.
The 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 will be built at the Brampton Assembly plant in Brampton, Ontario, Canada.
SRT Track ExperienceOwners
of any Chrysler Group SRT vehicle receive one day of professional
driving instruction from the Richard Petty Driving Experience as part
of the SRT Track Experience, designed to maximize their driving
knowledge and skills on the street or track. Sessions are held
throughout the year at selected tracks.