Few cars are as fortunate to receive the kind of publicity that goes with either a blockbuster movie or world famous TV show, yet the Dodge Charger managed to slip into both and is possibly one of the most familiar American cars to the world at large. Certainly in the UK the Dodge Charger became known overnight after the public were entertained at the cinema by one of the first and best known car chases.

Ever since the actor Steve McQueen chased a 1968 Dodge Charger up and down the streets of San Francisco in the movie Bullit the British public will forever possess a memory of the ever so fast and sleek appearance of the Dodge Charger. In case your one of the two people on Planet earth who hasn’t seen the movie the Charger lost the race when its driver crashed into a fuel station and blew up. However, the Charger was being driven by the bad guys so it had to go, but the car itself did pretty well for something more akin to a saloon than sports car like the one being driven by McQueen.

Not satisfied with a part if the Bullit movie the Dodge Charger next appears in the Dukes of Hazard a colourful TV show that ran for six years between 1979 and 1985. The 1969 Dodge Charger in the series was referred to as ‘The General Lee’ purportedly a highly tuned version.

The 1966 Dodge Charger was the first in a line of Chargers that ran to 1974. The 1974 Dodge Charger was the last of the sporty two door saloons after Dodge decided to reposition the vehicle in the luxury sector. The Charger was a great concept with an appearance that easily portrayed the general image of a muscular road machine. The 1970 Dodge Charge received some redesign although the sweeping rear roof line remained as did the 426 V8 Hemi engine that produced 425bhp@5500 rpm. The performance from this powerful motor put the Charger firmly in the mean machine bracket with a zero to 60 mph in around 5.5 seconds. With this kind of blistering performance on tap Dodge decided to make the appearance of its two door sports saloon look even faster and in 1971 the Dodge Charger spoiler sprouted on top of the boot lid (trunk).

The Dodge Charger today offers the same performance promise presented by versions back in the ‘60s and 70’s. Dodge has resurrected the Charger to mean business, figuratively speaking. The 2006 Dodge Charger comes with two or four doors and shares the same aura that previously captured the imagination of millions. The latest 2007 Dodge Charger is the company’s latest entry to the 21st century muscle car arena, exchanging sleekness with a shape that bulges in all the right spots while possessing a front end that demands attention. In addition with an engine that offers more power than any other Dodge passenger vehicle since the 426 Hemi of the ‘60s and ‘70s.

However if that still isn’t good enough you might consider the Dodge Charger SRT8
Which arrives presented in ‘Detonator Yellow’. The bright exterior colour is broken up by a black coloured bonnet with a Super Bee logo displayed at the front. This is a Charger that gets noticed, but for the right reasons because under the bonnet Dodge has installed a 6.1 litre V8 that pumps out a spectacular 425 hp together with 420 lb ft of torque. Yes this really is Dodge getting serious about providing the kind of vehicle that lives up to its performance orientated appearance and one that also captures the legend of the past.

The latest Dodge Chargers, American cars that deliver what their appearances state.