Chrysler's fountain of novel ideas was sputtering for a while there. Take that Pacifica, a perfectly practical crossover SUV that buyers left to collect dust, or the Crossfire, basically a Mercedes SLK with a ten grand discount that would hardly sell without another five grand in incentives. ‘Twas a shame to watch these ships sink; they were founded on good ideas.
But then came two cars that people agreed were good - good enough to wait in line and pay extra for, as it turned out. Now known as the Chrysler 300C and Dodge Magnum, these giants hit just the right notes in 1970s nostalgia, mouth-watering speed, and mobster styling to command wait lists, even in the most fervent downsizing days of American Gas Crisis III.
When you find success, you build on it. One year after that Chrysler sedan and Dodge wagon comes this Dodge sedan. Called the Charger, it's a pretty direct fusion of the two. Loyal fans have whined and protested that the four doors tarnish memories of old Chargers, but they may forgive Dodge in light of the latest news: there's an even bigger-block Hemi engine out there now, and it's got 425 horsepower and 420 pounds-feet of torque.
That oughta shut em up.
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