5^th October, 2000

Hey, Charger! Chrysler rekindles the fire for Sydney Show

Chrysler Jeep Australia will revive an Australian icon when it shows the Charger R/T concept car at the Sydney International Motor Show next month.

In the USA the Dodge Charger and in Australia the Valiant Charger were enormous hits for Chrysler during the 1970s muscle-car era, and the "Hey Charger" advertising campaign created an enduring message. A powerful and striking coupe, the Charger was an instant success selling across many demographic groups.

The latest Charger R/T concept car retains many of the visual cues of the original Charger. It is bold and striking with a distinct on-road presence.

Powered by a modern, supercharged 4.7 litre overhead-cam engine driving the rear wheels, in this day of ecological awareness the Charger is at the forefront. Fuelled by compressed natural gas (CNG), it would meet the most stringent emission laws.

The powertrain of the Charger generates approximately 245 kW, blending both power and ultra-low emissions.

Joe Dehner, responsible for the exterior design of the Charger R/T believes this new concept car has just the right mean streak to complement its performance features and V8 power.

"It has muscular lines that are more exaggerated because of the package with big offset shoulders over the rear wheels," Dehner said. "This Charger has a menacing look to the front end, low and wide, and a powerful-looking rear end. Some aspects remind me of the Viper."

It has functional side scoops, as does the Viper, and the chrome plated, central mounted exhaust is reminiscent of the Viper. It even has functional air exhausters sculpted into its rear fascia.

"If you look at the vehicle from the side you can still see character lines that remind you of that 1960s Coke® bottle look, but this car has full forms. The muscle cars were pretty flat and wide in the front," Dehner added.

While the exterior has a bad case of nasty attitude, and the engine enough grunt to whet the appetite of Mopar enthusiasts, the black and red leather interior resembles a sophisticated fighter-plane cockpit, according to interior designer Lance Wagner. The pistol-grip shifter knob for the five-speed manual transmission resembles a fighter pilot’s joystick and the instrument panel cluster is oriented to the driver with the tachometer being the dominant gauge.

Aluminium silver armour accents the instrument panel, interior door handles, floor pedals and armrest. The racing look is completed with and integrated roll bar and rear bucket seats.

Commenting on the introduction of the Charger R/T concept to the Sydney International Motor Show, Chrysler Jeep Australia managing director Judith Wheeler said that it was important to show a car at Sydney which pointed to Chrysler’s heritage in Australia.

"We wanted to show a car that Australians could relate to," said Ms Wheeler. "With the Charger R/T we have a vehicle that virtually all Australians will relate to.

"The original Charger was great for us in this market, and it epitomised Chrysler. It was a car that was both visually appealing and bold in its styling. It was a true performance car. The Charger R/T concept is all of that, as well as being environmentally friendly," Ms Wheeler added.

DIMENSIONS
Overall Length: 4750 mm
Overall Width: 1850 mm
Overall Height: 1320 mm
Wheelbase: 2870 mm
Track Front: 1510 mm
Track Rear: 1510 mm
Curb Weight: 1531 kg

WHEELS AND TYRES
Front: 19 x 9 cast aluminium wheels with 245/45R19 Goodyear extended mobility tyres
Rear: 20 x 10 cast aluminium wheels with 295/40R20 Goodyear extended mobility tyres

ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION
Engine: 4.7 litre V8, SOHC, 16 valve, supercharged, iron block, alloy heads
Power: 325 kW
Torque:
Transmission: T-5, five-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Final Dive: 3.9:1

SUSPENSION
Front: Upper and lower control arms, with unequal-length gas dampers and co-axial springs
Rear: Modificed Prowler upper and lower control arms with unequal length as dampers and co-axial springs

BRAKES
Front: Viper four-piston calipers, vented disc rotors
Rear: Viper two-piston calipers, vented disc rotors