|
Chat with Burke Brown, Chrysler Group's Chief Engineer of the Rear-wheel-drive Platform Team, about the all-new 2006 Dodge Charger. The 2006 Dodge Charger combines American rear-wheel-drive muscle car genes with 21 st century DaimlerChrysler performance, safety and customer convenience technologies. The 2006 Dodge Charger pays homage to the muscle cars of the '60s, but offers modern coupe styling with four-door functionality. With a 250-horsepower High Output V-6 engine or the awesome HEMI® V-8 engine powering large18-inch rear wheels, the new Dodge Charger races into the car market with bold, provocative styling and substance. Bring your questions and your passion for Dodge Charger and learn about the all-new 2006 Dodge Charger as it muscles its way out of the past and into the future.
|
Burke Brown, Chrysler Group's Chief Engineer of the Rear-wheel-drive Platform Team |
|
Burke Brown is Chrysler Group's Chief Engineer of the Rear-wheel-drive Platform Team. He was appointed to this position in April, 2003 and has been responsible for all aspects of the Chrysler 300, Dodge Magnum and Dodge Charger vehicles. This responsibility includes product engineering activities, quality and customer satisfaction. Burke has been with DaimlerChrysler (formerly Chrysler Corporation) for more than 30 years in various engineering positions. Since 1989, he has been involved in powertrain and vehicle development areas of the company.
Like so many other muscle car enthusiasts, Burke shares a passion for the Dodge Chargers of the '60s and '70s and in fact, has owned a 1966 Dodge Charger and a 1973 Dodge Charger. Classic vehicles currently in his garage include a Chrysler 300, a Plymouth Road Runner and a Plymouth Barracuda.
|
|
Chat Transcript |
 |
Burke Brown: Hello everyone. Thanks for coming! This should be a lot of fun! We wanted to do a performance car for Dodge that was a follow up to the Magnum, our new, unique wagon-style vehicle. As always, a Dodge has to be different, bold and powerful and our HEMI® powertrain was the right answer.
Mopar4life asks: Mr. Brown, it was a big week for you with the intro of the Charger. Other than the Detroit press speaking out about your car, what have you heard of the public’s general reaction to this car so far, including die hard Dodge/Mopar fans?
Burke Brown: I've talked to several people at the auto show and as expected - once people see the car in the flesh they like it a lot more than when they’ve just seen the pictures and sketches. The same thing happened with the 300C. You had to see it in motion on the street to understand it.
Guest1 asks: I've always been concerned about how RWD vehicles handle in wet or snowy weather. How has Dodge improved the RWD technology to be safe in these driving conditions?
Burke Brown: Today's Dodge Charger has ABS brakes, traction control, and electronic stability program all working together to make sure that the car stays in the track that the driver points it. Today's tire technology is also a part of the equation giving us very good wet and snow traction. Our near 50/50 weight distribution also contributes to the improved the handling, compared to the older cars that didn't have a lot of drive axle weight (think E body Cuda and Challenger).
Want to get all of the latest information on the new Charger? Sign-up for updates! http://www.dodge.com/charger
stratocharger asks: Was Safety a driving force in the design of this decidedly un-aero design?
Burke Brown: Absolutely! Today's customer demands the safest car we can build. The Charger has all the latest safety features – advanced multistage airbags with an Occupant Classification System for controlled deployment, a highly developed crush zone, energy-absorbing steering column, child seat anchor system and optional side air curtains.
Lancerfixer asks: Will the Charger be offered with a manual transmission?
Burke Brown: At launch we won't have a manual but we'll continue to listen to what the customer is telling us. Generally manuals in 4-door sedans don't sell very well.
Jimhemi asks: Burke, why use the name Charger only to tarnish its once powerful image with a 4-door? Was it because of the police industry? NASCAR?
Burke Brown: Jimhemi, I don't think we've tarnished the name at all. The heritage from the Charger I remember... performance, family-sized sports car, the HEMI® - it's all there and more.
Charger4Speed asks: How would you compare performance and handling on the 2006 to the older/legacy Charger?
Burke Brown: Today's Charger with today’s HEMI® delivers a lot more performance without using all the fuel the old Chargers used. The handling is NO comparison. The old bias ply tires, heavy in the front Chargers were great straight line machines. But they just weren't that capable for nimble handling.
See the photos you've been waiting for! Detailed shots of the all-new HEMI®-powered 2006 Dodge Charger R/T are here! http://www.dodge.com/autoshow/charger/gallery.html
74DartSport asks: I need a family size sports car with a manual trans and a convertible. What will you offer me? My Sebring convertible is getting old.
Burke Brown: They'll shoot me if I talk about future models now... sorry!
DueyT asks: How is the Charger being marketed globally? What portion of the intended target consumer is from North America?
Burke Brown: The Charger was developed and will be marketed mainly for the North American market. It's an American performance sedan and that's where we believe our customers are.
Charge-em asks: I was looking at buying the new Mustang until I saw the Charger, and now I'm undecided about whether to wait for the Charger. What's the advantage to waiting for the Charger?
Burke Brown: The Mustang is the pony car, it has a small back seat and it's a two door. Somebody out there would probably like to have that. But as we look at our customers, they want everything with no compromises. They want a generous back seat that they can use without inconvenience and the performance and handling that the Charger heritage will deliver on.
Forget the rumors! All the news about the Charger is right here http://www.dodge.com/autoshow/news
aelfwyne asks: In the performance department, what is there to set the Charger apart from its Chrysler counterpart?
Burke Brown: The Charger will have an ultimate performance handling package that's not available on any of its siblings. It uses B235 55 R18 Michelins, a tight athletic suspension, killer sway bars and a performance seat with lateral support good enough for a jet fighter.
dakota_don asks: what will the base sticker be?
Burke Brown: We'll announce pricing in the spring when we begin to ship the cars to the dealers
Want to get all of the latest information on the new Charger? Sign-up for updates! http://www.dodge.com/charger
BabyBoom asks: Burke - when you were designing the new Charger, who did you have in mind? The "young ones" or us Boomers who remember Chargers on the showroom floor in the '60's?
Burke Brown: I was certainly thinking about the cars of the 60's, but I also thought about all the shortfalls of those cars. I wanted this car to deliver on all the heritage and all the performance that we remembered without any compromises. I wanted the car to fully deliver on its heritage and styling.
mopar340 asks: How much did NASCAR influence the changes of this car compared to the first mach ups?
Burke Brown: Our designers drew from the NASCAR of yesterday and as we know it today for styling cues and being sure that we have a very competitive car come February.
Fsmmcsi asks: I am still trying to decide between the Charger, 300C, and Magnum. Does the Charger have less soundproofing than the 300C or 300?
Burke Brown: No, it does not have less soundproofing. Today, the character of the car sound is designed in with structure and highly developed acoustic treatments. Those are shared among the three vehicles: Magnum, 300 and Charger.
Fem_bot asks: I think of the Charger as a man's car. What can you tell me about this car that will attract prospective female buyers like me?
Burke Brown: The cool looks and the great performance!
Sam asks: Wonder how the Charger would compare to a Pontiac GTO?
Burke Brown: Well first, you have to be able to look at the Pontiac. After that, you realize it's a small car with not much of a back seat and the styling is...well... errr... milk toast comes to mind!
70Charger asks: Will high impact colors be available?
Burke Brown: I know you're thinking of Plum Crazy, Vitamin C Orange, etc. But again, the future is still in front of us.
Patrick R asks: Mr. Burke, we Mopar faithful really liked the '99 concept Charger. Why was the LX based Charger not made to look close to it?
Burke Brown: Our designers took a long hard look at that. In trying to make the proportions of the concept work in a feasible, functional full sized car they just couldn’t make it look right and they wanted to go with the Dodge Tough Guy look.
Moparman21 asks: Will the charger feature the new 6.1 L HEMI®?
Burke Brown: What do you think??????? ;-)
moparmal asks: Mr, Burke, is there any forecast of a Muscled up version of the four door, Fals wheels, hood treatment, 6.1 liter, retro wheels etc...I really think that would help appease the market.
Burke Brown: We're already there with the 300C SRT 8 and, as you know, we never rest!
Fsmmcsi asks: Will 300C features missing from the other cars (e.g. dimming exterior mirror, rain-sensing wipers) be made optional?
Burke Brown: We're working on it!
triple_green asks: What are the performance and handling numbers?
Burke Brown: 0-60, 6 seconds. The HEMI® with the performance handling package will top out at 140... Is that fast enough??? The handling with that package is just AWESOME.
View the 2006 Charger reveal live from the Detroit Auto Show! http://www.dodge.com/autoshow/charger
Coronet68 asks: I really like what I heard about the performance handling group package. Can you tell us any more about it? Will it include a performance axle ratio, upgraded brakes as well?
Burke Brown: It will include upgraded brakes.
Groove1 asks: Where will the Charger be built, and what else is currently built at that assembly plant?
Burke Brown: The Charger will be built at our Brampton plant near Toronto. It's built alongside the Magnum and 300.
70charginglizard asks: What (if any) have been the opinions from the muscle car magazines?
Burke Brown: Several of the magazines have already done articles and they really like it. Of course, the real articles will come when they drive it!
Guest1 asks: I'm interested in the HEMI® V-8, but concerned about fuel economy. Have you had any success in increasing the gas mileage?
Burke Brown: The HEMI® in the new Charger as well as the 300C and Magnum RT has our MDS system. We get a significant fuel economy improvement by shutting down 4 cylinders while cruising. In 40 milliseconds all eight are back firing. You can't tell it's happening except when buying fuel.
Aelfwyne asks: Will Dodge pay for our speeding tickets if we buy one? :-P
Burke Brown: They don't pay for MINE... why should they pay for yours? :-)
See the photos you’ve been waiting for ! Detailed shots of the all-new HEMI®®-powered 2006 Dodge Charger R/T are here! http://www.dodge.com/autoshow/charger/gallery.html
Triple_green asks: When will it hit the showrooms?
Burke Brown: Depending on shipping time, dealers should see some cars by late spring... just in time for summer fun!
Kamandag asks: Chrysler is touting the new Charger as a 4-door sports car. Will there be Mopar performance parts available, comparable to the Mopar parts being offered for the SRT4?
Burke Brown: Oh yea! Mopar is on a roll!
Chill1 asks: Will seats be available in leather or fabric only?
Burke Brown: The SE and SXT will have cloth. Leather is optional on SXT and standard of the RT with the HEMI®.
Zimbar asks: I've seen a statement where Chrysler said the new Charger was targeted for people with 60-90K a year paycheck.....what's the sticker going to be? Less than the 300?
Burke Brown: I focus on the customer and the performance-oriented guy or gal that wants the good looks and the performance. I don't get into their paychecks!
Viperman asks: Will the new Charger have Daytona options?
Burke Brown: Tune in to the Daytona race and see!
Charginitup asks: Which auto shows can we see the Charger besides Detroit?
Burke Brown: Chicago and NY are the next two.
BoomCharger asks: I'm liking the idea of a real 'sports sedan' coming onto the market rather than an old-dude car. Is the Charger too sporty for a guy in his 40's?
Burke Brown: No way... it's perfect!
BoomCharger asks: Follow-up question, what was the grill design based on?
Burke Brown: It's the now very familiar Dodge crosshair grille... kind of a signature for Dodge. We want to make sure that people know in the rear view mirror what's about to pass them.
Uno asks: Is the Charger the last major addition we can expect to the LX platform for a while?
Burke Brown: As I said earlier, we never rest and we're full of ideas.
Moparmc asks: What other colors will come standard?
Burke Brown: We've got red, medium green, silver, my personal favorite black, white, midnight blue, and two new surprise colors!
See the photos you’ve been waiting for! Detailed shots of the all-new HEMI®-powered 2006 Dodge Charger R/T are here! http://www.dodge.com/autoshow/charger/gallery.html
RoadKing asks: How long was the Charger on the drawing boards? How long did it take to develop?
Burke Brown: From program start we'll be building cars 24 months later.
Zimbar asks: Will the Mopar side of the house offer any accessories....like tow hitch, and GPS navigation system?
Burke Brown: Tow hitch from Mopar, GPS Navigation right from the factory.
View the 2006 Charger reveal live from the Detroit Auto Show! http://www.dodge.com/autoshow/charger
Null asks: Sorry, joined late. Pontiac has a 5.3L V8 powered Grand Prix GTP. What makes the Charger better?
Burke Brown: It's a HEMI®, haven't you heard???
Hardhawk asks: Are Dodge dealers feeling a hole in their lineup will be filled by the Charger since the Magnum is a sport wagon?
Burke Brown: The Dodge dealers are very excited about the Charger. It gives them another vehicle in the performance group unlike any of the competition's offerings.
Triple_green asks: Burke: when are you going to add a 68-70 Charger to your personal collection?
Burke Brown: As soon as my wife let's me. She says I have too many cars in my collection already!
Guest4 asks: Is it too late to add a new Charger to the upcoming Dukes Of Hazzard Movie?
Burke Brown: I guess we'll have to because I think they used up all the '69s!
Want to get all of the latest information on the new Charger? Sign-up for updates! http://www.dodge.com/charger
kirstie_h: We've been talking with Burke Brown, Chrysler Group's Chief Engineer of the Rear-wheel-drive Platform Team about the upcoming Dodge Charger for 2006. Thanks for answering our questions, Burke! We look forward to driving the new Charger when it arrives at dealerships in the summer!
Burke Brown: This has been great, I really enjoyed it! I really appreciate the passion everyone has and I love the Mopar-speak. Now I'm going out in the garage and touch my ‘69 Roadrunner because the weather is too bad to drive it!
Join the ongoing Dodge Charger discussion in Edmunds.com Forums
Want to get all of the latest information on the new Charger? Sign-up for updates! http://www.dodge.com/charger
See the photos you’ve been waiting for ! Detailed shots of the all-new HEMI®®-powered 2006 Dodge Charger R/T are here! http://www.dodge.com/autoshow/charger/gallery.html
View the 2006 Charger reveal live from the Detroit Auto Show! http://www.dodge.com/autoshow/charger
Forget the rumors! All the news about the Charger is right here http://www.dodge.com/autoshow/news
|
