2012 Dodge Charger
OVERVIEW

Chrysler Canada Is Bringing State-of-the-art Transmission Technology To The Award-Winning 2012 Dodge Charger Lineup

•	Chrysler Canada is the first automaker to feature the state-of-the-art ZF eight-speed automatic transmission in its vehicles
•	Efficient and smooth: paired with the award-winning 292 horsepower 3.6-litre aluminum Pentastar™ VVT V6 engine, the new Dodge Charger models with eight-speed automatic transmission delivers refinement, improved performance and Best-in-Class fuel economy
•	Eight-speed automatic transmission available on Charger models equipped with rear-wheel drive and the segment’s most advanced all-wheel drive (AWD) system with active transfer case and front axle disconnect 
•	More performance and technology features: new performance seats, steering wheel mounted paddle shifters, “Sport” shift mode, and colour Electronic Vehicle Information Centre (EVIC) 

Building on the momentum of launching 16 all-new or completely redesigned vehicles for 2011, Chrysler Canada is charging ahead in transmission technology for 2012. With the success of the all-new Charger introduced in 2011, the 2012 Dodge Charger is now the first domestic sport sedan to feature an eight-speed automatic transmission. 

“The new eight-speed transmission takes the Dodge Charger, which was already at the head of its class, and puts it in a league of its own,” said Reid Bigland, President and CEO, Chrysler Canada. “Our Charger customers don’t have to compromise. This new Charger gives them the fuel-efficiency of a mid-size car in a full-size sedan.”  

This state-of-the-art ZF eight-speed transmission will be available on 2012 Dodge Charger models equipped with the award-winning 3.6-litre Pentastar™ V6 engine, delivering 292 horsepower. Available in both rear-wheel and all-wheel drive (AWD), the new Charger with eight-speed automatic offers both improved performance and improved fuel-efficiency.  

Segment-first eight-speed automatic transmission
Once limited to premium import vehicles costing twice as much, the new segment-exclusive ZF eight-speed automatic transmission expands the world-class power and fuel-efficiency of the 2012 Dodge Charger SE (optional), SXT and SXT Plus. The addition of three more gear ratios in the transmission design helps to reduce the gaps normally associated with upshifting and downshifting.  Combined with the award-winning 292 horsepower 3.6-litre Pentastar™ VVT V6 engine, the result is quicker acceleration and seamless shifts.  

Quicker shifts are possible on the new 2012 Dodge Charger as a result of a “Sport” shift mode that requires simple driver input. When the driver chooses to let the transmission shift in Sport mode, gear changes are quicker and revs are held higher for even more performance oriented acceleration and higher shift dynamics. For even more control, Charger models equipped with the Rallye Appearance Group, Blacktop package, Dodge Charger R/T Road & Track and SRT8 model, include a pair of die-cast steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters with gear selection made visible through an all-new full-colour EVIC centred in the Dodge Charger’s instrument cluster.

Delivering improved fuel economy compared with the previous generation six-cylinder Dodge Charger AWD, the new 2012 Dodge Charger SXT and SXT Plus AWD models combine the new eight-speed automatic transmission, fuel-efficient 3.6-litre PentastarTM V6 engine and the segment’s most advanced AWD system for maximum all-weather traction and efficiency. Dodge Charger’s AWD system features a segment-exclusive active transfer case and front-axle-disconnect system to improve real-world fuel economy by up to 5 per cent. No other major automotive manufacturer offers the combination of these two independent technologies. Dodge Charger’s innovative AWD system seamlessly transitions between rear-wheel drive and AWD with no driver intervention. When all-wheel drive is not required, the system automatically disconnects the front axle to maximize fuel economy while still providing the outstanding fun-to-drive performance and handling inherent in rear-wheel-drive vehicles.

New touring-tuned AWD suspension 
With the introduction of AWD on the new Pentastar V6 powered 2012 Charger, Dodge engineers took the new second-generation architecture further with the addition of hydrobushings for even more precise all-weather handling and world-class refinement.

Compared to the previous generation, new 2012 Dodge Charger models with AWD feature a 13 mm (0.5 inch) tighter tire-to-fender fitment, a 4 mm (0.15 inch) lowered overall ride height and larger 19-inch aluminum wheels with wider P235/55R19 all-season performance tires.

New Charger Blacktop package delivers even more performance and sinister styling
Delivering even more street-cred and sinister attitude to the 2012 Dodge Charger lineup, the new 2012 Charger Blacktop features a “blacked out” appearance, performance-tuned suspension and state-of-the-art infotainment system.

The Charger Blacktop package includes unique Pitch Black-painted “split crosshair” grille with Pitch Black matching grille surround, Pitch Black-painted 20-inch five-spoke aluminum wheels, P245/45R20 Firestone Firehawk GTV all-season performance tires and performance-tuned second-generation suspension architecture. Inside, unique performance seats provide extra lateral support for performance driving needs.

The 2012 Dodge Charger Blacktop features the aluminum 3.6-litre Pentastar engine delivering 292 Best-in-Class six-cylinder horsepower through the all-new segment-exclusive eight-speed automatic transmission. For even more spirited driving with performance feel, the driver can utilize all-new die-cast steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters to manually select the desired gear.

The Company’s state-of-the-art UconnectTM Touch 8.4 provides Dodge Charger Blacktop passengers with the segment’s largest touchscreen display (8.4-inch) and next-generation mobile infotainment, connectivity and multimedia features. Surrounding passengers with audiophile-quality sound is an Alpine® premium audio system with nine speakers, 8-inch subwoofer and a 506-watt 12-channel digital signal processing (DSP) amplifier for 7.1 Matrix surround sound.

The 2011 Dodge Charger Blacktop package will be available in Bright Silver Metallic, Tungsten Metallic and — for a complete monotone appearance — all-new Pitch Black exterior paint colours, with black premium cloth or Nappa leather-faced seating. 

New driver-focused appointments added to 2012 Dodge Charger R/T Road & Track package
Designed for hard-core enthusiasts who crave even more performance from their 370 horsepower HEMI® VVT V8 powered Dodge Charger R/T with FuelSaver multi-displacement technology (MDS), the R/T Road & Track package now adds even more cockpit convenience features including heated and ventilated performance seats with larger side bolsters to give even more confidence during aggressive handling manoeuvres. The addition of driver’s seat memory, power-adjustable pedals and steering column with memory combine to provide the driver with additional comfort and convenience.

Further adding to the engaging driving experience are new die-cast zinc steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters. 

Additional equipment on the R/T Road & Track package includes a black honeycomb-style grille with matte black surround and heritage “R/T” badge,  Auto-dimming drivers side mirror with reverse auto-adjust, rear differential with 3.06 axle ratio, performance engine and transmission calibration, and high-speed engine controller. 

UconnectTM Touch — the segment’s largest touch-screen infotainment system 
The new 2012 Dodge Charger’s Uconnect Touch system has been upgraded for 2012, adding voice commands for Garmin® navigation and full iPod® control features to expand on the system’s world-class infotainment, connectivity and convenience technologies.

With the segment’s largest touchscreen display (8.4-inch), the easy to use Uconnect Touch 8.4N with integrated Garmin navigation is even better with the addition of voice recognition. With natural voice commands, the Uconnect Touch 8.4N enables Dodge Charger passengers to input street addresses and navigate to points of interest. 

The new 2012 Dodge Charger is manufactured at the Brampton Assembly Plant in Brampton, Ontario and will be available in Canadian showrooms during the third quarter of 2011. 

About Chrysler Canada 
Founded as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925, Chrysler Canada Inc. is based in Windsor, Ontario, and celebrates its 86th anniversary in 2011. Chrysler Canada's product lineup features some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including the Dodge Grand Caravan, Jeep® Wrangler, Chrysler 300 and Ram trucks. 

Chrysler Canada is a wholly owned subsidiary of Chrysler Group LLC, one of the world's leading automotive companies. Chrysler Group LLC, formed in 2009 from a global strategic alliance with Fiat Group, produces Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge, Ram Truck and Mopar® vehicles and products. With the resources, technology and worldwide distribution network required to compete on a global scale, the alliance builds on Chrysler’s culture of innovation – first established by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925 – and Fiat’s complementary technology – from a company whose heritage dates back to 1899. Fiat will contribute world-class technology, platforms and powertrains for small- and medium-sized cars, allowing Chrysler Group to offer an expanded product line including environmentally friendly vehicles. 

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