HerHighway recently took a test drive in the 2012 Dodge Charger RT, and holy smokes (we literally smoked the tires), this car is both a beauty... and a beast. To go along with its classic muscle car good looks, rear spoiler, and 20-inch alloy wheels, the Charger RT comes with a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 under the hood (the "beast") that churns out 370 horsepower. Who said women don't need or want HP was completely off their rocker.
Surprisingly, thanks to Chrysler's new Fuel Saver Technology, the 2012 Charger RT is rated for up to 25 mpg on the highway and 16 mpg around town. That's not bad... for such a bad-to-the-bone ride. But you probably won't achieve maximum fuel economy if you drive it hard... like we did. Just minutes into our road test, it was obvious that the new RT is a car built by real car enthusiasts for people who appreciate classic style and flat out performance.
This "beauty" will go from zero to 60 mph in less than six seconds. The steering wheel mounted paddle shifters allow you to keep both hands on the wheel when it's time to drive aggressively. As you glide ahead of the countless, under-powered motorists on the road, they will appreciate the Charger RT's 164-LED Racetrack Taillights. Adios amigos!
We felt perfectly confident and safe zipping and zooming in the Charger RT. With more than 65 standard safety and security features, the Charger RT was a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety. The long list of safety features includes anti-lock brakes, traction control, stability control, brake assist, active head restraints, curtain airbags and an ignition immobilizer.
On the inside, the Charger RT is very roomy and comfortable. We loved the sporty and supportive leather-trimmed power seats, power sunroof and the quality materials and accessories used throughout the cabin. And the high-tech touch-screen display made it easy to control a multitude of functions, including navigation, music, and even our ventilated heated seats! The seatbelts have a special feature designed with the female anatomy in mind the angle of the shoulder belt can quickly adjust with one hand, which easily improves comfort and safety levels for women.
Available features include satellite radio, blind spot detection, and more. The Smartbeam® High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps -- standard on the RT trim package-- project light and attitude with equal authority, instantly adjusting brightness and intensity when headlights from an approaching vehicle are detected. So when you're driving at night, the roadway ahead of you is always ideally illuminated.
The 2012 Dodge Charger is a boldly designed four-door sedan that can be fully customized --from mild to wild -- to suit your individual preferences for performance and style. Check out all the trim levels, options and pricing by visiting the manufacturers website.
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