Iconic Dodge Charger Redefines What a Family Sedan Can Be

2020 Dodge Charger

© PHOTO BY SCOTT TILLEY

As one of the top muscle cars dating to 1960's, Dodge Hemi engine is a still a shiny penny in a hybrid world.

If I told you that I drove a 6.4L R/T Hemi MDS engine that produces 485 horsepower, runs 0-60 in low 4s and registered a over 30 mpg, would you believe me? When having a discussion about which cars are the most fuel efficient in today's shrinking petro sedan world, many do not give the Hemi engine a serious consideration and that is a shame. To the true muscle car purists, to call a Dodge Charger with a Hemi a fuel efficient family car would be considered an act of treason. The punishment for this type of blasphemy would be the required driving of an EV sub-compact for the rest of one's life. But if not for a $150 modification to the Hemi engine block so many years ago, this iconic muscle car may not be here today (Viper) or worse yet converted into some EV/hybrid friendly clone. I'm sure the latter is probably on the horizon, but that's for future Scott to ponder.

The Dodge Charger has a rich history dating back to the mid 60's with 3 distinct platforms during that time period. There was the original mid-size two-door from 1966-78, a small sporty sub-compact from 1983-87, and the current full-size four-door platform that has been used since 2006. The 2006 restart and new platform for the Charger, in my opinion, appeared to be the replacement four-door sedan for the popular Dodge Intrepid which had its last year of production in 2004. I owned a red sporty looking cab forward Intrepid that was the perfect size for my family of five. I ended up giving it to my college age son before the car gave up at 275K miles. It has been almost fifteen years since the first Charger hit dealer lots, but in an era where car companies and consumers are replacing cars with SUV's at a pretty stiff pace the Charger has had for the most part a steady increase in sales. I think the reason for the growth, the Charger at its core can still function as an extremely safe family sedan that gets great gas mileage whether it is the Hemi or V-6.

Multiple-Displacement System

When the Charger was reintroduced in 2006 there was the base model SE which had the 2.7 L V6 engine with a 5-speed automatic transmission. If you were looking for a family car and a date night car, you could jump up to the Charger R/T with the 5.7L Hemi V-8 that had a little secret that was rarely discussed, even today. When the word Hemi is mentioned, it is all about speed numbers and never the multiple-displacement system. (MDS) This little $150 fix/ add-on allows the Charger or for that matter any high performance Hemi based vehicle in the FCA family to compete in a high mpg EV/hybrid world.

The Readers Digest version of how the MDS works: it saves fuel and lowers carbon emissions by running on only four cylinders when engine loads are light. That translates to real-world MPG savings between 10 and 25%. In 2006 you could buy a Dodge Charger R/T that had a 5.7L Hemi that produced 350 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque and get the same 21 MPG's on the highway as a V-6, but also have the raw Hemi power whenever you wanted it. One of the challenges this type of engine produce is the loss of the traditional raw V-8 rumble, which is one of the 'extras' you willingly pay for when you buy a Hemi. To solve the odd sound, Chrysler partnered with Eberspaecher North America to design a specific exhaust system just for their MDS-equipped vehicles. To preserve the Hemi rumble there are four separate mufflers, two large central ones for when all eight cylinders are running and two smaller ones near the tailpipes for four-cylinder mode.

Ward's AutoWorld Magazine Award

In 2009 the second generation 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 engine was upgraded with the new variable valve timing (VVT) system. This new advanced technology allowed the Hemi to run seamlessly in four-cylinder mode 40% of the time which is twice as long compared to the original Multi-Displacement System. (MDS) This extra 40% allowed for improved MPG's, considerable drop in emissions with an increase of power (390hp), torque (410), and speed. It was a serious game changer for the longevity of the V-8 Hemi, especially in today's EV/hybrid climate. Consequently because of this technology advancement breakthrough, the Hemi MDS w/VVT won its 6th award in 7 years. It was voted one of the ten 'best' automobile engines in the U.S. by Ward's AutoWorld magazine. As to why it won, Tom Murphy, Executive Director of Ward's AutoWorld magazine said, A number of Ward's testers managed to top 19 mpg (12.3 L/100 km) with the HEMI, putting it in line with certain premium V-6s tested.

Todays Charger 392 R/T SCAT Pack Plus Widebody

As infotainment systems and touch screens on the vehicle dash continue to improve as computer technology advances, the same can be said about engine technology. When more computer coprocessor power and speed is produced the faster the vehicle's system can monitor the electronic powertrain components. In a muscle car that directly translates to power, speed and, wait for it, fuel efficiency. In 2006 when the Dodge Charger was revealed at the Chicago Auto show ahead of its return to NASCAR, it showed up with the legendary 5.7-liter HEMI V-8. At the time the engineers were able to 'muscle' out of the Hemi 10 more horsepower producing 350hp and 390 ft-lb of torque. The 2006 MPG's were estimated at 15 city, 23 highway and 18 combined. The 2020 Dodge Charger 392 R/T Scat Pack Plus that I had for the week is powered by the 6.4L V8 R/T Hemi MDS and the state-of-the-art TorqueFlite 8-speed automatic transmission. That powertrain combination produces far more horsepower and torgue at 485hp and 475 lb-ft of torque and 0-60 time in the low 4's and top speed of 182mph with far superior gas mileage numbers as well. 15 city / 24 highway /18 total. I actually exceeded the city and highway numbers when I had it. I had 20 city and over 30 highway.

Imagine checking into a hotel and the front desk person asks you to fill out the room card with your vehicles information on it. Yes, I'm driving the TorRed Dodge Charger 392 R/T Scat Pack Plus Widebody. Which one again? Yes the Charger comes in many different packages. There are 6 base models on the webpage alone. Of all the Chargers I have had over the years, this 392 Widebody with the Plus interior is probably my favorite. First off I really liked all the Plus design inside and out. The seats are supportive and great looking. The angry bee badging inside and out is fun and really works on the widebody, as do the bigger tires. Though this car is a four-door family sedan, the wider footprint and profile suggests something completely different. There is no kid in the land that would mind getting picked up from school by their parents in this red and black stripped Angry Bee.

The 392 R/T isn't the top horsepower bee on the Charger mountain, but for the majority of Americans I think it's close enough to the top to scare you once in awhile while having a great time. The widebody footprint allows you to run through the winding back roads with plenty of confidence. You will run out of guts before the car lets you run out of talent while still having plenty of fun. The rumble of the Hemi is pure and raw, just like it was in the Dodge Viper. The difference in the two, is you can use this as a daily driver for the grocery getter duties or even picking up after hockey practice because of the size of the second seat or trunk and efficiently of the Hemi MDS setup.

When you look at all those numbers it is hard to fathom that a 4400lb pound muscle car is able to accomplish this much, but now hopefully it is easy to see how the Dodge Challenger Hemi is still holding its own in the EV/Hybrid SUV world. And the experts say Bees can't fly or get amazing gas mileage!

Dodge Charger 392 R/T SCAT Pack Plus Widebody

MSRP Pictured $57,050

Engine: 6.4L V8 SRT Hemi MDS

485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque

Transmission: 8-Speed Automatic

0-60 Low 4s, Top speed of 182 mph

Interior Color: Scat Pack Logo

Seats: Power & Heated front seats

Seats: Nappa Leather / Alcantara seat upholstery

Scat Pack - Angry Bee Logos on front headrests

Harmon Kardin Audio with 19 Harmon Kardin GreenEdge Speakers

Harmon Kardin Greenedge Amplifier and Surround Sound