There is an old saying that "everything old is new again." Well, at Dodge this seems to be truer than ever. After a 27-year hiatus, the venerable Charger has returned. The new limited-production 2006 Charger Daytona R/T roared back to life at the Daytona International Speedway and Daytona Speedweek this past February to the sounds of cheering fans and rumbling motors.
"The legendary Dodge Charger nameplate returns on a modern, high-performance, rear-wheel-drive vehicle that combines bold design with four-door functionality," said Darryl Jackson, Vice President of Dodge Marketing, Chrysler Group. "To celebrate Dodge Charger's return to NASCAR, we're introducing a limited-production Daytona R/T model that offers a little slice of history with all the performance and handling characteristics to satisfy modern musclecar enthusiasts."
In a blast from the past, the new Charger Daytona R/T will be offered in the retro and very bright "Go ManGo" metallic orange similar to that used on the 1970 Charger. The Charger will also be making a return to NASCAR Nextel Cup racing. Looks like the good old days are here again.
Following the limited-production run of the Dodge Charger Daytona R/T in "Go ManGo," the Mopar guys will introduce another high-impact heritage paint name called "Top Banana." This "Top Banana" R/T will peel off the assembly line in limited numbers late in 2005.
Other styling cues from the past will include an exclusive front fascia with a chin spoiler and black honeycomb grille, unique black "Daytona" and "HEMI" decals, signature heritage R/T badging and a black rear decklid spoiler. The Daytona model will also include dual-exhaust tips and 18-inch polished wheels with jet-black accents. The engine will be dressed up with the addition of a HEMI-orange engine cover.
Now don't get the idea that this will be just another pretty face. There is performance to back up that musclecar look. Chrysler Group engineers have muscled out even more horsepower from the HEMI engine. The 2006 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T will feature a five-speed automatic transmission with AutoStick bolted to a 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine that offers an estimated 350 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. That's ten more horses than the previous 5.7-liter HEMI. Chrysler Group engineers did this by developing a new intake and exhaust system to unleash some of the HEMI's untapped power. By using this less restrictive intake system and moving to a straight-through muffler from a three-pass muffler, the newly tuned 5.7-liter HEMI gets a 10-horsepower boost and a throaty, high-performance tone to match.
The HEMI engine's multi-displacement system (MDS) provides up to 20 percent improved fuel economy, giving Dodge Charger drivers the HEMI power they want with fuel economy they will appreciate. Standard equipment on the Charger will include a high-performance suspension package with such goodies as self-leveling rear shocks and 18-inch all-season P245/55R18 performance tires.
Interior enhancements for the new Charger Daytona R/T will include performance front seats with suede inserts and embroidered "Daytona" logos on the front headrests. Body-color accent stitching will appear on the front and rear seats and on the leather-wrapped steering wheel. A matching body-colored center stack bezel, a "Daytona Limited Edition" display on the electronic cluster and a sequentially-numbered limited edition Daytona badge on the instrument panel will complete the unique Dodge Charger Daytona R/T interior.
Production of the 2006 Dodge Charger SE, SXT and R/T models begins this spring at the assembly plant in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, with vehicles available in North America early this summer. This is the same plant that builds the Dodge Magnum and Chrysler 300 vehicles. Limited production of the 2006 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T model in "Go ManGo" orange will begin early this summer with vehicles available in North American markets soon after. The Dodge Charger Daytona R/T model in "Top Banana" yellow will be available after the limited production of "Go ManGo" is complete.
Joining the celebration of the Dodge Charger's return to NASCAR racing at this year's Daytona International Speedway will be two Dodge Charger NASCAR Nextel Cup race cars painted in the same special colors of "Go ManGo" and "Top Banana." The original Dodge Charger race car debuted during the 1966 Speedweeks at Daytona. In its 11 years of racing, the Charger won 124 NASCAR Cup races and took three drivers to five championships. Richard Petty won three of his seven titles behind the wheel of a Dodge Charger and was behind the wheel of Charger's last victory at Daytona in the 1977 Firecracker 400.