The Fast Lane Car

Review: If Thor's Hammer were a car it would be the 2012 Dodge Challenger

The 2012 rear-drive Dodge Challenger SRT8 coupe is a refined, modern version of the classic early 1970s rear-drive Challenger, which had a mighty “Hemi” V-8.

The 1970s Challenger Hemi (for hemispherical combustion chambers) 425-cubic-inch V-8 had 425 horsepower. But the new Challenger SRT8’s 392-cubic-inch (6.4-liter) Hemi provides 470 horsepower and a pavement-shattering 470 pound-feet of torque.

As with the old Challenger coupe, the Challenger SRT8 is a rival mainly to the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang. It’s essentially a shortened version of the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger. That improves refinement and ride, but turns the SRT8 into more of a strong muscle car than a nimble sports coupe. It has a 116-inch-wheelbase and weighs a hefty 4,160 pounds.

Review: The 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 puts the fast sting back in the Super Bee

The 1960s Dodge Charger with Chrysler’s awesome Hemi V-8 is one of the most legendary muscle cars of the high-octane 1960s. The 2012 Charger SRT8 with a Hemi V-8 is more than comparable to that old Charger.

In fact, the new $45,795 Charger SRT8 from Chrysler’s high-performance SRT group is a flat-out high-performance-car bargain that might be considered by some to be too hot for the street with its 6.4-liter Hemi V-8.

While well-mannered, unlike the 1960s 425-horsepower Hemi, the new Hemi V-8 provides 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. That gives the car a 0-60 mph time of about 4.5 seconds, although it‘s a big 120-inch-wheelbase sedan that weighs just over 4,000 pounds.

American vs Korean muscle: HEMI Dodge Charger takes on the KIA Sportage Turbo

American or Korean muscle? Which is faster in  a straight line?

The 2011 HEMI Dodge Charger R/T has 370 horsepower and enough grunt to stop the earth's rotation.

The 2011 KIA Sportage Turbo has 260 horsepower and goes from 0 to 60 in just a tic under 7 seconds. Both cars have all wheel drive, but the Dodge weighs about 1000 pounds more.

So which one is faster in a straight line...on a dirt road.

Watch the TFLcar mashup video below to find out.

Look out! Here comes the 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 and it’s pissed-off

Ralph Gilles, the new head honcho for the SRT performance brand (think BMW’s M Series, Mercedes Benz’s AMG or Cadillac’s V) is not a subtle guy. SRT is street AND racing technology – they don’t promote street-racing – but I do. He lifted the overall image of Dodge to a serious contender and now he’s pushing all out performance with SRT.

You see, Ralph is a “dude.”

If you had to demonstrate a poster child for Ralph’s SRT brand, it would have to be the 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8. It’s a dude’s car. I refer to the type who gets a thrill out of irritation old folk with the snarl of a 470 horsepower, 6.4 liter HEMI V8. Mr. Dude will get pleasure out of smoky burnouts with 470 lbs-feet of torque abusing 20 inch wheels and tires.

5 Reasons why the 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8 is so damn good

The title was going to be “Dodge’s 2012 Challenger SRT8 is leg-humping good” because that’s how strongly I feel regarding this ground thumper. It makes me feel like a juvenile delinquent, it sounds amazing and the performance has recently gone from good to fantastic.

1. Dodge had no choice. They had to give the Challenger SRT8 an automatic transmission and their 8-speed automatic isn’t ready for production yet. So, rather than settle for the mediocre old-school 5-speed, Dodge revised that transmission and put in a significantly improved 5-speed with paddle shifters.

Video review: Is the 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 a budget BMW M5?

The 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 will take you and your family around the race track or perhaps across Germany on the autobahn at 175 miles an hour.

That's because the 6.4L Hemi V8 is good for 465HP and 465 pound feet-of-torque. That's a boatload of power and torque.

The Charger is certainly the least expensive car of some of the fastest sedans on the market today.

But how does the fastest ever Charger SRT8 compare to cars like the BMW M5 and the Cadillac CTS-V sedan? At an estimated base price of $54,000.

Check out the first drive video review below and find out as we take the 2012 Charger SRT8 for a first drive review.

Video review: Is the 2011 Dodge Durango a big station wagon, SUV, Crossover?

Is the 2011 Dodge Durango a big station wagon, or is it a SUV, or perhaps is it a new Crossover? 

Does it really matter?

This newest Dodge people mover comes with standard seating for seven and two optional engine choices. Our test car had the HEMI 5.7L power plant which is good for a 0-60 time in the 7.5 second range.

Not not for a car that can haul the entire family to grandma's house. Of course you pay a price for all that HEMI power at the gas pump with an EPA rating of 13 MPG in the city and 20 MPG on the highway.

If you are looking for a new family truckster check out our exclusive one minute speedy video review for time crunched car shoppers below as Nathan tells you all you need to know about this newest Durango in the Dodge stable.

Review: The manly 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan tries to redefine 'soccer mom'

Some thought SUVs and the newer car-based crossover vehicles would eliminate minivans, but they remain too handy to die.

While the minivan market isn’t as big as it once was, Dodge’s redone 2011 Grand Caravan  minivan and redesigned minivans from Toyota, Honda and Nissan show automakers have confidence folks will continue to be drawn to minivans that provide much-needed room and a carlike driving experience.

Dodge’s entries long led minivan sales, and this automaker has made major improvements to its 2011 front-drive Grand Caravan model to stay competitive with large Japanese rivals.

List prices for the roomy Grand Caravan range from $24,995 to $30,995. It  comes as the Express, Mainstreet, Crew and R/T models. I tested the very well-equipped $28,695 Crew version.

Review: the 2011 Durango is a handsome & carlike family hauling winner

Except for its name, there’s virtually no resemblance between the old truck-based Dodge Durango SUV and the redesigned 2011 Durango.

The new four-door Durango is handsome and fairly aerodynamic. It has Dodge’s “crosshair grille” and looks a little like the muscular, discontinued Dodge Magnum wagon.

There are four trim levels: Express,  Crew (also offered with a CrewLux lifestyle package), sporty R/T and Citadel. They come with rear- or all-wheel-drive and have three rows of seats.

List prices range from $29,195 to $43,945, without an $850 shipping charge. Add $2,000 for all-wheel drive.

First Drive video: Can the 2011 Dodge Durango tow your horse trailer, camper or boat?

It has been two years since Dodge sold a new Durango, but for 2011 the seven person classic American SUV is back....but this time with the help of Italy's Fiat.  In fact, the new Durango should hit your local Dodge dealership just in time for Christmas.

And here's perhaps the biggest surprise, unlike the old Durango, the new Durango is all grown up and ready to take on the big boys including Ford's new an up coming Explorer.

Built on the same, but lengthened chassis, as the new Jeep Grand Cherokee...the new Durango is now a better engineered, and much more refined family hauler.

Click HERE to read and view our review of the 2011 Grand Cherokee.

What's especially surprising is the exceptional level of interior fit and finish.

Where the old Durango was basic and crude, the new Durango is sophisticated and svelte.

Review: the 2011 Dodge Challenger gives you that tingly sensation in your unmentionables at first sight

I get a tingly sensation around my unmentionables when I see a new Challenger. It’s kind of like the time I saw Halle Berry in public. I was so damn bashful, I had to look away and chuckle to myself when we made split second eye contact, like an idiot. Sure, there is a difference, but I still chuckle stupidly and drool when I see a Challenger – and so do you.

Click HERE or the image (right) for a photo gallery of the new 2011 Dodge Challenger.

So, when I was told that there would be a selection of 2011 Dodge Challengers for us (members of the press) to play with, I giggled like a school-girl. The good people at Chrysler Group LLC invited TFLcar to Northern California for a play-date with eight of their new 2011 offerings. There is more than new headlights and revised chrome going on here – these vehicles are revamped to the point that some are new.

First Drive: the 2011 Dodge Durango the cure for the common jiggly, tippy and unlovable SUV

Let me break this down for you:

The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is great. Dodge used the new platform from the Grand Cherokee and stretched it about ten inches overall. With me so far? Then, (this part is logical speculation) Dodge took measurements of the Ford Explorer, Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, Chevy Traverse and other three-row crossovers. After working their collective tails off, they opted to measure up to – OR – beat ALL of them.

Sneak Peak: 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 with the bigger & badder HEMI 392

For 2011 the 2011Dodge Challenger SRT8 gets a bigger & badder HEMI 392.

If you do that math here is what that 392 means:

- About 6.4 liters instead of the old car's 6.1 liter engine

- 470-hp with

- 470 pounds-feet of torque

First drive: The 2011 Dodge Charger wants to beat up your commuter & make it cry

I would heed this warning – watch for leaky fluids: if you bought a logical, yawn-inducing, FWD sedan and parked it next to a 2011 Dodge Charger – it may wet itself. Everything about the 2011 Dodge Charger says, “I got the latest smack-down for ya’!” It’s bold, brawny and so much better than the car it replaces.

No, I’m not a lackey for Dodge – I disliked all but the SRT8 regarding the last generation’s Chargers. I hated the old interior, the V6 was weak and it was too old-school in its dynamics. So, when I say that Dodge has fixed all of the old problems AND built a better looking car – I mean it.

The Rockin’ all new 2011 Dodge Charger with Photos!

 
  
Hell yes! This is what fans of the last generation Dodge Charger were hoping for – more badass looks with slick updates. Unfortunately, we don’t have interior photos available, but I’ve been told that the interior will trump the current model with similar all around quality reminiscent of the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. That is to say: it should be MUCH better.

We’re hoping the Dodge folks (Chrysler Group LLC) will bring a sample to the TFLcar.com’s headquarters soon. For now, we’re stuck with making, “vroom – VROOM!” sounds while looking at it.