Charger

The Dodge Charger is a modern, four-door coupe that combines rear-wheel-drive muscle-car power, sports-car handling and leading-edge technology to deliver a thrilling driving experience with improved fuel efficiency and increased horsepower from a new-generation 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 engine in 2009.

The 2009 all-wheel-drive Dodge Charger models are now equipped with Active Transfer Case and Front-axle Disconnect. No other major manufacturer offers these two independent technologies together. The unique system seamlessly transitions between rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive with no driver intervention. When all-wheel drive is not required, the system automatically disconnects the front axle and opens the transfer case from the drivetrain to reduce friction and rotational mass. Automatic all-wheel-drive operation may be activated by outside temperatures, wheel slip or by other predetermined conditions. All-wheel-drive mode can also be manually selected by shifting the gear selector to Auto Stick mode or by activating the windshield wipers for an extended period of time.

Enabling the vehicle to switch between two-wheel drive and all-wheel drive improves fuel economy on all-wheel-drive Dodge Charger models by up to one mile per gallon (mpg) on the highway, while still providing the outstanding performance and handling inherent in rear-wheel drive. To inform the driver when he or she is in two-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) indicates when the switch is made.

The 2009 Dodge Charger R/T rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive models both feature the new-generation 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine with a five-speed automatic transmission that produces an estimated 370 horsepower (276 kW) and 398 lb.-ft. (540 N•m) of torque. For 2009, the HEMI engine is upgraded to get an estimated five percent improvement in fuel economy as well as an increase of 30 horsepower (9 percent) and 8 lb.-ft. improved torque (2 percent) over a greater range of engine speeds. The 5.7-liter HEMI continues to offer fuel-saving Multi-displacement System (MDS) technology. MDS seamlessly turns off fuel consumption in four cylinders when V-8 power is not needed, improving fuel economy as much as 20 percent. To inform the driver when he or she is in four-cylinder mode, the EVIC now automatically displays “ECO” when the switch is made, providing drivers the opportunity to modify their driving habits in order to achieve better fuel economy.

On the exterior, the rear styling of the Dodge Charger is refreshed for 2009 with a bold, retro-style taillamp design that is distinctively Dodge. Recessed circle cutouts give the taillamps added dimension over the previous design and provide enhanced definition to each taillamp’s two circular lamps.

On the interior, accents in the Dodge Charger R/T are extended to the entire lineup for 2009 with the Dodge Charger SE receiving satin silver door trim spears, satin silver center console cup holder rings and satin silver instrument panel bezels. Now standard, light-emitting diode (LED) lighting appears on all models in the front cup holders and standard LED map-pocket lighting on the Dodge Charger R/T provides additional driver convenience.