Fireball’s Design Review 2012 DODGE CHARGER SRT8!

Typically, Muscle Cars are pretty self-explanatory. Which is why when Dodge asked me to take a look at the 2012 SRT8 Charger, I expected all the things that come with a Muscle car. You know… power, handling, doodads.

But since I do design reviews, horsepower is always expected along with all those other things. What I didn’t expect was how it was handled.

Everything in the Charger is beefed up. Not just the motor and overall design, but the small things are handled in a beefy way. Everything just seems to be slightly oversized. From the door handles to the steering wheel… Beefy, as in a Dad you bear hugged but could never quite get your hands around as a kid. The big brother you wrestled with but never got hurt doing. The Uncle who protected you that one time from the bully trying to take your ice cream. Just the stare was awesome…

The Charger is that sweet big guy who’s all love, but could pound thunder if he wanted to. Imagine Michael Clarke Duncan as a car. He’d take you to the Zoo, the office, up the coast to buy you fish n’ chips, smiling, girthy and always ready. But has the confidence to not have to push it…

Don’t we all want that? The seats are big and burly, yet not cartoony or tight. They’re comfortable and safe and will get you to Vegas fully rested and ready. The IP (Dash) if full of buttons and swing-digglies that do all the things you need, but are well placed, easy and again… beefy. I liked this thing.

People get out of the way, not because you’re obnoxious, but because there’s an aura about it that says “My job in the war was to protect.” And you can feel it. It’s a tank that’s got a jovial quality,  promising to pull off every task.

Gas mileage is not so good, but as I said, he’s a big guy and big guys eat a lot. 14/23. But if you feel like that’s your thing, then the 2012 Charger is the man for you.

This model tested is about $50K, but once again, it protects and serves as the cops put it. It’s why they’re choosing this beast to get the job done. And I for one am glad.

I wasn’t too keen on the Charger becoming a 4-door, but after a week tooling this puppy, the lounge feel makes you comfortable, safe and if you really need it, fast. Really fast…

The SRT8 is the big brother you’d want. Just don’t piss him off.