The new Charger is the culmination of a major overhaul project that was begun on the Chrysler Group’s two key full-size models (the other being the Chrysler 300) under the previous ownership of private equity house, Cerberus Capital Management. Based on a long-running Chrysler platform reworked with key Mercedes-Benz componentry, particularly in the area of the suspension and transmissions, these updated underpinnings will also feature in the facelifted 300, which is also set to be replaced soon. As well as the new suspension, the car’s geometry has been distinctly reworked. The fundamental overhaul of the platform in the effort to create this new model and banish the unloved outgoing version was commented upon some time ago by CEO Sergio Marchionne, who said the cost that had been lavished on the project couldn’t really be justified, but fortunately for the current management this cost was picked up by the previous owners.

On the outside, every body panel is new, with the awkward shoulders on the rear three-quarter panel being dropped in favour of a smoother look. The new Charger model, says Chrysler, “is spiritually inspired by the iconic second-generation Charger from the late 1960s, featuring a design that is sure to strike an emotional chord with Dodge performance enthusiasts of all generations.”

The Charger’s profile is, according to Chrysler’s accompanying press release, the “result of countless hours in the wind tunnel”, and features a new lower and more profiled bonnet, reworked windshield, tighter wheel arches and new lower side sills. The front grille badly misses the traditional ‘Ram’ logo, which has now been removed from Dodge products and reserved for the truck brand without any replacement badging being inserted. There are distinctive new scallops cut into the front doors (similar in style to those featured on Ferrari’s 612 Scaglietti), which at their highest point, chase into the beltline in a sharp crease that then blends into the body as it runs (above the door handles) towards the rear. The heavily-photoshopped images released by Chrysler don’t give a truly accurate view of this prominent design feature which appears from the photos to be awkward and not in keeping with the car’s overall design language.

The overriding aim of the restyle has been to imbue the car with Dodge’s traditional ‘muscular’ design language, which works reasonably well in some the views in the photos, although the disjointed front lower spoiler sections give that key area quite a weak and fragile appearance. Contributing to the Charger’s wider visual appearance is a new tail light design that incorporates 164 LEDs, the long unit that widens at the ends being a concept lifted from the Charger’s range compatriot, the Challenger. The photos also show a rear spoiler that fails to harmonise with the rest of the rear’s strong stance, and a clearer picture of the design will emerge when this, presumably an optional extra, isn’t featured.

The official photos released by Chrysler don’t show the Charger’s interior. As yet there are only spy images of the interior which present a thoroughly reworked cabin, a distinct step forward from the substandard outgoing version. Fiat’s influences can be seen dotted around the cabin, particularly in the new door panels. The 2011 Charger features a new thick-rimmed, three-spoke Dodge steering wheel, more use of soft-touch materials and four available distinct interior color combinations. It will feature the Chrysler Group’s ‘Uconnect’ infotainment package including Garmin sat-nav, dual-zone climate controls and the ability to check fuel prices with the integration of available SIRIUS Travel Link.

Cabin noise has also been reduced, and is now claimed by Chrysler to match with the best in U.S. E-segment, thanks to the car’s “unibody packaging materials and structural design improvements, including the dual-pane acoustic windshield and front-door side glass, body-cavity silencing foam, under-flush roll-framed doors with triple seals and acoustic wheel-well liners.”

The new Charger SE and Charger Rallye will feature the new 3.6-litre Pentastar engine which is being rapidly rolled out across the Chrysler Group’s model ranges, while the top model, the Charger R/T, will benefit from the traditional 5.7-litre HEMI V-8 engine and is fitted with four-cylinder mode ‘FuelSaver’ Technology.

The Charger R/T also comes with all-wheel-drive (AWD) and 19-inch wheels. The Charger AWD features a segment-exclusive active transfer case and front-axle disconnect system to improve fuel economy by up to five percent. No other major automotive manufacturer presently offers the combination of these two independent technologies. The Dodge Charger’s innovative AWD system switches between RWD and AWD automatically with no driver intervention. When all-wheel drive is not required, the system automatically disconnects the front axle to maximise fuel economy.

The heavily reworked Charger features more than 65 safety and security features, including standard Keyless Enter-N-Go and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with segment-exclusive Ready-alert Braking and Rainy Day Brake Support safety features. Safety and security features available for the first time on the Dodge Charger include adaptive cruise control (ACC) with forward-collision warning (FCW), blind-spot monitoring (BSM) with rear cross path (RCP) detection, and ParkView rear back-up camera with grid lines, all designed to provide the driver with added confidence while behind the wheel.