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2006 Dodge Charger R/T Daytona Road & Track Test

The Muscle Car Era Reborn

Im drawn to the new Daytona in an almost animalistic way. Kind of like the pure but powerful Leeloo of the film The Fifth Element, played by the lovely Milla Jovovich. Maybe its her orange hair that reminds me of the Daytonas "Go Man Go!" metallic orange paint, or the matte black decal package that most carmakers wouldnt have the gall to offer on the aftermarket let alone as standard equipment.

Yes, I can hear the pens of environmentalists scribbling mad rants of protest as I write, because unlike Leeloo theres nothing pure and undefiled about the Daytona, unless unadulterated, ego-centric muscle is to be revered. Sure it features Chrysler Groups Multi-Displacement System (MDS), which shuts off four of the 5.7-liter HEMI engines eight cylinders when cruising under

Ill be honest, Im drawn to the new Dodge Daytona in an almost animalistic way. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

light loads, in effect reducing fuel consumption and therefore harmful emissions by up to 20 percent, but its an overhead valve V8 and what possible redeeming value could a lump like that offer?

Right. As if Im going to listen to some bleeding heart liberals tell me that theres no place in the world for V8-powered muscle cars... not likely. These are the same types that would find Milla Jovovich too feminine, or Bruce Willis, who plays the affable Dallas Corbin in the

The Charger, especially in overindulgent Daytona trim, is the epitome of old world thinking combined with new-age technologies. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

same movie, too macho.

I liked the world before women had to be manly in order to feel equal, before men had to show they could cry in order to be trusted. And the Charger, especially in overindulgent Daytona trim, is the epitome of old world thinking combined with new-age technologies.

Maybe Durham, North Carolina was the ideal location to stage the vehicles media launch, because of such reasons. Many of the people in this Southern community still emit that old-world

The 2006 Charger Daytona will be limited to 8,000 examples with about 90 percent staying in the U.S. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

charm that Im talking about. The location is also fitting due to a general love of stock car racing, now known as NASCAR, or Nextel Cup; or whatever the series is called that happens to be touring through any given Southern town on any given weekend. While such series have about as much to do with stock cars as a Formula 1 19,000 rpm-capable V10 relates to an everyday Honda Accord, Dodge is a big player and its Charger the model it runs every Sunday.

And yes, the Daytona 500, which takes place on the legendary 2.5-mile tri-oval just off of Interstate 95 on International Speedway Blvd. in Daytona Beach,

A rear decklid spoiler sits atop the Chargers Kamm-like tail, while a distinctive front fascia features a chin spoiler, a black honeycomb grille, and "signature heritage R/T badging". (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

Florida, remains one of the Nextel Cups most popular events. The original 1969 Charger Daytona, by the way, might be the quintessential muscle car. It was purely designed to win on Sunday, and fulfilled its mission at Daytona Speedway that year, sweeping first through fourth positions. The version also set a closed-course speed record of 201.104 mph while another Daytona managed 217 mph at Bonneville.

The 2006 Charger Daytona, which will be limited to 8,000 examples with about 90 percent staying in the U.S., wont be able to cruise at the same top speed, nor does it feature anything near as racy as the 60s cars aerodynamic add-ons,

The wheel wells are stuffed with 18-inch polished alloy rims with low-gloss, jet-black painted pockets, wrapped in all-season P235/55 R18 performance tires. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

which included an extended front clip and a massive rear spoiler - tall enough to allow the trunk to open underneath. It does, however, offer some subtle aero upgrades that separate it from its more conservative R/T sibling. A tiny, by comparison, rear decklid spoiler sits atop the Chargers Kamm-like tail, while a distinctive front fascia features a chin spoiler, a black honeycomb grille, and "signature heritage R/T badging".

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