2006 Dodge Charger SRT8

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while describing it is to be ironic. Maybe even a little arch. The EPA rates the 4180-pound Charger SRT8 at 14 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway, but drive the car the way it begs to be driven and single-digit numbers in the city aren't just possible but likely and maybe unavoidable. In an era of dang-near or more-than $3 per gallon gas, that demands a significant financial commitment on the part of the owner. And not just at the pump, because this car gets a gas-guzzler tax slapped on it to the tune of $2100. Ouch.

Decorated for SRTness

Of the vehicles coming from Street and Racing Technology division, if the Charger SRT8 isn't the best-looking it's at least in the top three (the Grand Cherokee SRT8 and Viper SRT10 join it on the aesthetic success short list). Styling elements that seem like half-thoughts on the regular Chargers find full expression on the SRT8. The 20-inch wheels inside P245/45R-20 Goodyear F1 tires athletically fill out the hunky fenders, the deeper front air dam seems to make the gunsight grille seem more serious and the hood scoop gives the car a scowling countenance that flat screams "bad ass." So what if the scoop has no mechanical function? Isn't its appearance function enough?

The rear end of the Charger, even with the SRT8's trunk spoiler, is still too indistinct to make much of an impression. But generally speaking it's easier to see what the designers were getting at with the Charger design in first place than in any other Charger version.

The re-decoration inside is similar to the outside with more aggressively bolstered seats, "carbon fiber technical leather" trim on the steering wheel and satin silver colored trim. Otherwise it's pretty much standard Charger and that's no bad thing.

No one is going to buy this car because of the seats.

Running into SRTness

With a suspension lowered a half-inch from other Chargers, and special spring rates and anti-sway bars and an electronic stability program geared to allow more thrilling antics before halting the fun, the SRT8 makes good use of those oversize tires. This isn't a car that handles flat like a MINI or squirts between corners like a Miata, but a bruiserweight pounder that growls along consuming road. The steering is actually quite good with very quick reflexes and the turn in is rapid thanks to the relatively sticky Goodyears. The driver never will never forget he's piloting more than two tons of car stretching out nearly 17 feet long, but this is one sharp-handling sedan. And whenever it starts to understeer, adding some throttle will balance the car back to neutral. This car is fun to toss around. It just needs room to maneuver.

And it would be better with a manual transmission. There's nothing wrong with the SRT8's automatic gearbox, but there's nothing particularly right with it either. Compared to a manual its shifts are slow and skipping gears just isn't an option. It's the laggardness of the shifting that mutes the entire car's personality. And that's too bad, because otherwise this is a very loud and unmuted car.

The brakes deserve particular praise. On the big track at California 's Willow Springs Raceway, the Charger SRT8 did lap after lap and Brembo brakes never even hinted at fade. That's particularly impressive in light of the car's heft.

Best of all, however, is that despite this car's obvious ability, it still rides well and is otherwise perfectly comfortable. Dodge owes Mercedes a big debt for loaning it those suspension components.

The value of SRTness

Dodge claims the Charger SRT8 will rip from 0 to 60 mph in just about five seconds with quarter-mile times under 14 seconds. Those numbers may not put a lot of fear into the hearts of Ferrari owners, but they're seriously quick. Of course Ferraris don't have four doors, room for five or $35,320 base prices. But like the SRT8, the base price of a Ferrari doesn't include the gas-guzzler tax.

In many ways the Charger SRT8 isn't much different from its brother the 300C SRT8 and Magnum SRT8, but this car seems to embody the spirit of SRT more fully and more joyously. It's a little bolder, a little less circumspect, and maybe a bit cooler. It's a muscle car with four doors and it wants the world to know it.

That's whether the world likes it or not.

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