Thursday 13th January 2005

Dodge Charger stars at US car show

Also Jag's new XK, a new 911, the Corvette...

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Dodge Charger

DaimlerChrysler reckons its new 2006 Dodge Charger offers modern coupe styling with four-door functionality. Due this spring, the muscle car offers a 340bhp Hemi engine powering the 18-inch rear wheels as an option, with a 250bhp V6 as standard. The V8 engine deactivates four cylinders in 40 milliseconds when full power is not needed, improving fuel economy by up to 20 per cent. The Charger features near 50/50 weight distribution.
 

Nissan Azeal Coupe Concept

The Nissan Azeal Coupe Concept is "an affordable, performance-oriented entry-level coupe". It's powered by a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission, and rides on 19-inch wheels and tyres.

Highlights of the Nissan AZEAL Coupe Concept include 'light-jet' headlights, prism-like fog lights with brake cooling ducts, full-width active aerofoil, dual exhausts and integrated rear diffuser.

Jaguar Advanced Lightweight Coupe

Not just a concept car, this is a preview of the 2006 Jaguar XK8. The only difference between this and the actual production car will be different tail lights, exhaust and the intakes in the front bumper. Other than that, this is the Jag for the guy who couldn't stretch to an Aston Martin DB9, but from the looks of things, the Jag owner has plenty to feel good about. The all aluminium construction makes this car far lighter than the current XK8, and its V8 engine will see this car onto a top speed 180 mph and accelerate from 0-60mph in under five seconds.

Other cars included:

Porsche 911 Cabriolet

VW Beetle Ragster

Audi All-Road

Saturn Sky

Based on the Pontiac Solstice, the Saturn Sky will start production in early 2006.

Hummer

Infiniti Kurazaa

Funky? Or lose the will to live?

Corvette Z06

The new Corvette Z06 was shown alongside the new race car. Canadian driver Ron Fellows came to the party to help unveil his office for this year.

Mitsubishi Eclipse

Sorry Europe, this stunning new Mitsubishi Eclipse is just for North America!

Thanks to Nauman Farooq for words and pictures.

[WildfireS3]

Some nice cars, but that Audi is possibly one of the Ugliest cars I've ever seen.

The new Eclipse is a big improvement.

[oagent]

Audi takes the approach to styling set by recent BMW's

Call that a Dodge Charger! Ok so the original charger was no beauty, but come on dont take the name in vain.

Like the new Jag, not convinced about the colour

[Bill Carr]

Is it me, or does that Charger have the same wheels as the new Ford Mustang?

[snorky]

also if the Yanks think that Charger is "modern coupe styling" .. God help them...

[Gentelman]

I've got nothing against the car itself, but Dodge has to have some better names back there in its history that would be more appropriate. I just hope nobody paints one orange and puts a Confederate battle flag on the roof.

[Balmoral Green]

Why have Ford put Jaguar badges on that Aston?

[thirsty]

snorky said:

also if the Yanks think that Charger is "modern coupe styling" .. God help them...

That car is about as ugly as they come. Dodge really blew it by playing safe. The Charger concept car from a few years ago was actually a fairly nice (coupe) car. This one is not.

[m-five]

Is that a Dodge Charger or a Bristol Blenheim?


Dodge Charger?



Bristol Blenheim?


>> Edited by m-five on Thursday 13th January 21:48

[NaumanF1]

Good one m-five.
Bristol does use Dodge engines in their cars, so now Dodge styled one that resembles a Bristol in profile.
Good one.

[LuS1fer]

The Dodge is the antithesis of the 300C which is a very nice piece of styling. Since that was influenced by the Rover 3 litre, one imagines this to be influenced by the Rover 3.5 litre Coupe and isn't it a mess. Not even two doors, what are they thinking? Charger.. my arse.

Audi is pretty revolting too.

Jag is nice in a bland way and the rear end of the Firepower! reminds me of the 928. Like the front, don't like the back - but it's just a Viper chassis underneath.