2012 Dodge Charger SRT8, Flash Drive Car Review

What is it?

Ralph Gilles, SRT brand president and CEO, calls the Dodge Charger SRT8 the extrovert of the 2012 SRT8 class--and with good reason. The aggressive SRT exterior treatment includes a gloss black grille, sculpted hood with black air exhauster, rear spoiler and dual four-inch exhaust tips make the car look menacing.

But with any SRT vehicles, it begins with the engine. A new 6.4-liter Hemi V8 powers the menacing sedan, replacing the previous 6.1-liter Hemi V8. With a total of 470-hp and 470 lb-ft of torque on tap, it provides and additional 45 hp and 50 lb-ft of torque over the old powerplant. Power is up, but fuel efficiency also improves with a new active valve exhaust system (as found all 2012 SRT8 models) to allow the Hemi to operate in four-cylinder mode over a wider rpm range. Bolted to the V8 is the tried and true five-speed automatic with manual shift function.

On the suspension front, 2012 marks the additional of a new adaptive damping suspension offering two modes: auto and sport. Auto monitors speed, steering angle, brake torque, throttle and acceleration and adjusts damping accordingly, while sport locks in a stiffer, track-ready setup.

photo : 2012 Dodge Charger SRT, autoweek.com

SRT partner, Brembo, provides four-pot brakes at all corners, with the entire package riding on 20-inch, split five-spoke forged wheels with black painted pockets.

Touches in the cabin included the leather-wrapped, flat-bottom SRT steering wheel with paddle shifters, aluminum interior trim and heavily bolstered SRT front bucket seats. An updated Performance Pages readout can be seen on the standard 8.4-inch color touchscreen, which has been upgraded to include steering angle, horsepower and torque outputs and various gauges.

What is it like to drive?

While the Charger SRT8's suspension tuning isn't as aggressive as the Challenger's, it still helped the Charger blaze around California's Willow Springs Raceway with little trouble. In corners, the car stays natural and easily sticks to your desired line and is never a handful. As in the 300 SRT8, with sport mode engaged, the traction aids allow for a good amount of slip before cutting in to kill the party. There's very little roll to speak of in turns, and the Hemi V8 brings plenty of power. Upshifts from the five-speed autobox were quick while using the paddles, but again, the transmission suffers from harsh downshifts without rev matching capabilities. Steering weight is also on the light side. As expected, the Brembo brakes were up to task, easily slowed things down and were good throughout the hot day.

On the road, the Charger SRT8 is quiet and rolls down the ride comfortably. Even in sport mode, the suspension isn't overly harsh with only bigger road hazards able to jolt occupants. In auto, it's even more comfortable.

Do I want it?

If you like standout styling and horsepower (and who doesn't?) then yes, the Charger should be your SRT8 of choice. The variable damping suspension opens the SRT8 vehicles up to a broader audience, while keeping the hardcore enthusiast happy. The new Hemi V8 still sounds the part under wide-open throttle, but is quiet and docile when you're idling around town.

Now if SRT figures out a way to add rev matching to the transmission and tune in a little more weight into the steering, it would really have a winner on its hands.