2012 Charger SRT8 Comes

Hot on the heels of the redesigned 2011 Dodge Charger comes the 2012 Charger SRT8.
Dodge rolled out a slew of new rides Wednesday at the Chicago Auto Show including the quite Evo-esque "2012 Charger SRT8". However, unlike Mitsubishi’s Mick Jagger-mouthed counterpart, the SRT8 has a very respectable 465 hp 6.4 liter Hemi with matching torque numbers. The car also reportedly has an active intake manifold backed by an active exhaust. It also promises a broader power curve and better gas mileage.

The 2012 Charger SRT8 looks commanding upfront. I’ve never thought Chrysler’s full-size sedans wore a rear spoiler well, either, and the Charger SRT8 is no different.

I hope the metal-and-leather steering wheel makes it into all of Chrysler’s SRT products. Introducing a car with over-the-top power has been a dubious exercise in the past half-decade, representing reckless waste in a world turned green followed by needless extravagance in a world turned broke. I can’t vouch for fuel efficiency; Chrysler says this will be a little better than before, but that’s little reassurance given the old Charger SRT8 got an EPA-estimated combined 15 mpg.