2019 Dodge Charger Gets Sweet Updates, Too
Last week, FCA announced serious updates to the 2019 Dodge Challenger including a 797-horsepower Redeye model. No, it’s not a joke—read the article.
Lost in the shuffle was the brand’s four-door muscle car, which has also been revamped for 2019 to feature six distinct models, ranging from the 707-horsepower Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat to the efficient V6 power of the new Charger GT RWD and the all-wheel-drive capability of the new Charger SXT AWD.
- Also: 2019 Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye: More Power!
- Also: 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 392: a Throwback to the Good ol' Days
Hellcat owners will love the new performance grille with dual inlets, new instrument panel badging, Satin Black painted hood option, available Brass Monkey 20-inch forged wheels and Alcantara interior package, but not as much the four race-inspired technologies that were added as standard. These include Launch Assist, Line Lock (perfect of burnouts!), After-Run Chiller (which keeps cooling the supercharger after the engine is shut off) and Torque Reserve (delivered upon acceleration from a standing stop).
Launch Assist and Line Lock also make their way into the 2019 Dodge Charger Scat Pack 392. A new switch on the dashboard provides quick access to initialize Launch Control, which coordinates the engine, transmission, driveline and suspension for an optimal launch and consistent straight-line acceleration. What’s more, the performance grille up front is identical to that of the SRT Hellcat, while the cabin gains a Dark Dub Plate instrument panel and Houndstooth cloth performance seats with an added Scat Pack bee logo. Dual Carbon stripes, a Satin Black painted hood and three-mode Adaptive Damping Suspension with Bilstein shocks are newly available.
One rung below on the 2019 Dodge Charger ladder is the R/T, which gets a new lower-cost cloth interior, a performance hood and fascia, a standard performance suspension, enhanced steering, Dodge Performance Pages with the 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen, Houndstooth cloth bolstered performance seats, a new Dark Dub Plate instrument panel and new 20-inch Satin Carbon and Black Noise wheel options. Buyers can select a Cold Weather Package, too.
Two new models
The 2019 Dodge Charger SXT AWD makes the most of the Pentastar V6 engine (300 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of torque) via an eight-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission, the latter contributing to a highway fuel economy rating of 7.8 L/100 km. The car’s AWD system uses an active transfer case and front-axle disconnect, which help minimize powertrain parasitic losses. Available options include new two-tone Black and Caramel Nappa leather-faced seats, a Blacktop Package and the aforementioned Cold Weather Package.
Meanwhile, the new V6-powered Dodge Charger GT RWD is blessed for 2019 with all of the performance updates listed for the R/T model.
As for the slightly less powerful base Charger SXT (292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque), some of the changes for 2019 include new standard Park-Sense rear park assist and ParkView back-up camera, cruise control, electric power steering, capless fuel filler, automatic halogen projector headlamps with LED accents and the Uconnect 4 multimedia centre with a seven-inch touchscreen (offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability). The options are the same as with the SXT AWD model.
The 2019 Dodge Charger is now ready to order across Canada and deliveries are scheduled to begin later this summer.
