The Las Vegas Motor Speedway was host to the unveiling of the first production model 2006 Dodge Police vehicles in mid-November. The re-inventing of the Charger is in itself big news in the auto industry, a true American classic the Charger first hit the market in 1966 and became synonymous with the term "muscle car." The Charger went on to become a favorite in the race circuit. Although the new Charger is much more refined than its predecessors, and it is a four-door sedan now instead of a two-door coupe, the powerhouse is still very much alive within.
The DaimlerChrysler officials invited police media for an afternoon at the speedway where they proudly displayed their finished products. Dodge's Strip, Road and Track (SRT) professionals with help from the staff at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway arranged a short autocross-inspired track designed to show off the acceleration, handling, maneuverability and stopping power of the cars.
Drivers started the course with a hard right turn launch taking them directly into a three-cone slalom followed by an S-curve. Clearing the S-curve, drivers approached a straight stretch which allowed them to accelerate hard but offered an obstacle avoidance test in the roadway.
Next step on the course was a 90-degree left into the longest straightaway which was a seven-cone slalom course at the end of which was a 180-degree turn breaking into a double S-curve ending in the stop box, offering a chance to experience the stopping power of the Charger's enhanced brake design. With the acceleration of the Hemi models it was possible to reach 60 miles per hour approaching the stop box and experience the estimated 131 feet 60 to 0 stopping capabilities.
The course did not allow for a test of the top end speeds, after all, 150 mph is just that. Instead, it provided ample opportunities to feel the car hold the roadway during hard acceleration, braking and turning, all resembling an abbreviated yet amplified version of what police cars may actually face on duty.
Driving through the S-curves and hairpin turns during acceleration allowed the Charger to show off the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and complementing traction of the specially designed ContiProContact tires. The awesome acceleration in the Hemi model was proof positive that the Charger's 'take-off" speeds live up to their reputation, however a driver was still hard pressed to force the car into even the slightest loss of traction.
The Hemi powered cars were as impressive as expected; there is certainly no shortage of power in acceleration. Administrators shouldn't cringe at the thought of the Hemi's powerhouse reputation, however; the sophisticated and refined technology provides for a very controlled and reasonable display of the power.
In short, there is plenty of power but certainly not too much of it. The 6-cylinder version of the cars were of course more mild in acceleration but certainly should not be considered any less of a vehicle in terms of the police need for take-off power.
Both the Charger and the Magnum held tight to the pavement steering through the slaloms and S-curves though the Charger seemed to have slightly more handling capabilities on the tightest of curves. Overall, every version of the Dodge police car was fast, smooth and tight through the circuit course.
Prior to the police media event the DaimlerChrysler SRT pros had hosted the mainstream media for the introduction of the civilian lineup. The gracious hosts allowed police media to experience the track with those "civilian" cars as well including none other than the high-performance flagship "Dodge Viper SRT 10" which was present in a hardtop and convertible model.
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