Dodge is a massive name in the American motoring industry, and have given birth to some iconic vehicles. The company started out as a bicycle venture between two brothers, Horace Elgin Dodge and John Francis Dodge. During their initial years, they were known as Dodge Brothers Company. They would supply assembly parts for the Detroit-based companies. They changed their moniker to the "Dodge Brothers" and released their first car in 1914.
Among one of their most iconic vehicles is the Dodge Charger. It began production in 1966, and there are three main iterations of the car. These are the B-body two-door (1966-78), L-Body subcompact (1983-87), and (LX) full-size platform four-door sedans that are in production since 2006. The models have seen significant evolution throughout their six generations. If you're a fan of the Dodge Charger, you need to keep on reading. Here's the evolution of the brilliant Dodge Charger in pictures.
15 1966 Dodge Charger 426 Street-Hemi (First Generation)
Dodge saw the release of the first Charger in 1966. It was available in several trims, but the most coveted was the 426 Street-Hemi. It featured a 425-horsepower V8 Hemi engines and was capable of an impressive top speed of a 150mph. The fastback body design made the car immediately accessible right from the get-go.
14 1967 Dodge Charger (First Generation)
The next year of the Dodge was much the same mechanically; however, it did feature a few cosmetic changes. It got new headlights and an improved front grille to complement the new look. Additionally, they also gave attention to the rear end of the car, introducing new taillights that elevate the vehicle's entire look.
13 1968 Dodge Charger R/T (Second Generation)
1968 marks the release of the second generation of the Charger, as a standard option, you'd get the 440 magnum V8 engine. However, much rarer was the 426 HEMI V8 powered Charger R/Ts. Further inclusions in the R/T performance package were the signature bumblebee racing lines. The 1968 Dodge Charger R/T is capable of a top speed of 132mph!
12 1969 Charger Daytona 426 V8 Hemi (Second Generation)
The 1968 Dodge Charger gave birth to the Charger Daytona a year later. It features an elongated front nose, which helps make the car more aerodynamic. It manages to produce 425 horsepower thanks to the V8 Hemi engine. The car was incredibly powerful and fast. It holds the honor of being the first NASCAR vehicle to cross the 200mph barrier.
11 1971 Charger R/T (Third Generation)
The 70s saw the introduction of the third generation of the Charger R/T. Underneath the hood of these, you would find a Magnum 440 or a much rarer HEMI 426 V8 engine. Both engines were capable of producing 4250-horsepower and reaching a top speed of 143mph. The R/T racing package now featured an imposing blacked outlook with a lowered hood.
10 1973 Dodge Charger R/T (Third Generation)
Dodge continued the R/T formula for the 1973 model of the Charger. However, it did feature a few new additions. Insurance premiums for performance vehicles went through the roof, so Dodge had to include several safety features to appease the high prices. The front bumper, in particular, features a 5-inch rubber guard!
9 1975 Dodge Charger SE (Fourth Generation)
In 1975 Dodge took the Charger into a completely different direction. No longer was it the muscle car icon of before, but it was now a luxury car. It featured the 4—V8 that's capable of producing a paltry 190-horsepower. The car was built on the same platform as the Cordoba.
8 1978 Dodge Charger SE (Fourth Generation)
In 1978, the Charger SE was also available in 318-2 V8 TorqueFlite engine that would produce 140-horsepower. 0-60mph in these hunkering Chargers would take an ugly 13-9 seconds. The muscle car pedigree of the car was well and truly gone by now.
7 1981 Charger 2.2 (Fifth Generation)
The fifth generation of the Charger technically made its appearance in the middle of 1981. Once again, it was redesigned entirely and was now a hatchback. It featured a 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine that would produce just 94-horsepower. These chargers were also front-wheel drive, which was a first and something Charger fans weren't happy about.
6 1983 Shelby Charger (Fifth Generation)
To spruce up the fifth generation of the Charger, Dodge released the Shelby Charger in 1983. It features a new camshaft and exhaust system that increases the horsepower to 107-horsepower. The Shelby Charger would go on to achieve a top speed of 117mph. It also featured vented front disc brakes and was rather fun in the corners.
5 2006 Charger SRT-8 (Sixth Generation)
Dodge took everyone by surprise when they brought out the Charger concept on the Detroit motor show. In 2006 it saw the release, and the SRT-8 version caught attention particularly. Featuring a 6.1-liter HEMI V8 engine, this beast could race from 0-60mph in 4.8 seconds. To handle all that power, the SRT-8 came with Brembo brakes.
4 2011 Charger R/T (Seventh Generation)
The Charger R/T was well and truly back in 2011 with the 7th generation. Its exterior was much the same as the 6th generation of the car. Underneath the hood was a 370-horsepower V8 that's capable of jetting from 0-60mph in 5.2 seconds. Dodge also listened to the customers, and the 7th generation vehicles offer improved visibility.
3 2012 Charger SRT8 (Seventh Generation)
The SRT8 made a comeback in 2012, and it features a 6.4L HEMI V8 that produces 470-horsepower and is capable of racing from 0-60mph in 4.3 seconds. It'll go on to reach a top speed of 175mph, and will handle all corners thanks to the two-mode active suspension. To manage all that speed, it had Brembo brake calipers
2 2015 Charger R/T (Seventh Generation)
In 2015 the seventh generation of the vehicle came out with a facelift and fancy new 8-speed automatic transmission. Underneath the hood is a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 capable of producing 370-horsepower and can reach a top speed of 145mph. By this time, the muscle car pedigree of the Charger is well and truly back.
1 2019 Charger SRT Hellcat (Seventh Generation)
The modern Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat sits on top of the sedan industry. It's the fastest production sedan and the most powerful. Powering this monster of a car is a 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V8 engine that produces 707-horsepower. It will allow the vehicle to jet from 0-60mph in 3.6 seconds. It's capable of reaching a top speed of 204mph.