dodge charger performance/ transmission

   The 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 comes closer than the previous generation at actually deserving to wear that iconic “charger” badging. This charger really has that muscle car feel radiating from it, making the driver feel pretty tough while driving this monster. Its intimidating exterior is made possible by the factory aero, aggressive front fascia, and its stance. The car’s stance is set off by its factory 20-inch wheels and the fact that it sits much lower than it used too.

   Its aggressive look and stance is equally matched by its superior performance. The 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 came with a 6.1-liter Hemi V-8 that produces 425 hp, however, the 2012 300 SRT8 received the 6.4-liter Hemi V-8, first appearing in the 2011 Challenger SRT8 392. This new engine can produce 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, meaning it has a 40 hp gain and an additional 45 lb-ft more of torque. Chrysler estimates that the “0-60 mph acceleration is in the high 4-second range.”

   The transmission for the 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 is a 5-speed automatic that is also seen in the base model except it doesn’t include the paddle shifters on the steering wheel. The one complaint we have about this car is that the brakes are a little moody, sometimes working well and other times, it’s difficult to brake. Other than this, the car has more than enough power to handle what you throw at it. The official top speed is right at 175 mph but we feel that it might have a little more pep than that and is able to stop from 60-0 mph in 120 feet. The new Charger SRT8 comes equipped with four-piston Brembo calipers, the 14.2-inch rotors in the front and the 13.8-inch discs in the back. Seeing how this car is still a sedan, realistically it’s going to be pretty heavy. The official curb weight is 4,365 lbs.