The base Dodge Charger SE has a 178-hp 2.7-liter V6 and a four-speed automatic transmission. SXT comes with a 250-hp 3.5-liter V6 and a five-speed automatic transmission with Dodge's AutoStick manual shift gate. R/T models have a 340-hp 5.7-liter V8 and the five-speed AutoStick automatic. The R/T can be upgraded to 350 horsepower by ordering the Road/Track or Daytona packages. SRT8 models have a 425-hp 6.1-liter V8 and the AutoStick.
The SE ($21,675) comes with cloth upholstery, air conditioning, cruise control, tilt/telescope steering wheel, driver and passenger lumbar adjustment, remote keyless entry, and AM/FM/CD stereo with auxiliary input jack. Steel wheels with bolt-on covers wear all-season P215/65R17 tires, and all Chargers have a Touring suspension. Available options include an engine block heater ($40), a Smoker's Group ($30) that adds a lighter and ashtray, and the SE Convenience Group 1 that adds an eight-way power driver's seat and adjustable pedals ($505).
The SXT ($25,685) upgrades with an eight-way adjustable power driver's seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, 60/40 split folding rear seat with fold-down center armrest, Boston Acoustics stereo with six speakers and 276-watt amplifier, interior air filter, power-adjustable pedals, Sirius satellite radio with one year subscription, fog lamps and cast aluminum wheels. The SXT is available with all-wheel drive ($28,035). Options include leather-trimmed seats ($640), sunroof ($950), and Dodge's UConnect hands-free cell phone link now with iPod interface. Also available are 18-inch aluminum wheels with P225/60R all-season tires coupled with a rear spoiler. In addition to the Protection Group and Smokers Group, there's a Comfort Seating Group with heated front seats, leather-trimmed bucket seats, power adjustable pedals and an eight-way power front passenger seat ($1395).
The R/T ($31,780) is a V8-powered, high-performance model also available with all-wheel drive ($33,880). The R/T adds to the SXT with folding heated mirrors, 160-mph speedometer, upgraded brakes, polished aluminum 18-inch wheels, larger fuel tank, dual exhaust, automatic headlamps, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, and power eight-way front passenger seat. Among the options are a seven-speaker Boston Acoustic stereo with a 368-watt amplifier and subwoofer ($535) and remote starting. The Electronics Convenience Group ($630) adds a security alarm, programmable universal garage door opener, trip computer, selectable vehicle information display, compass and steering wheel-mounted audio controls.
The Road/Track Performance Group ($3,350) for the R/T features unique aluminum wheels with black accents, sportier steering, self-leveling shocks, sport seats, performance suspension, a tweaked V8 making 350 horsepower, front and rear spoilers, and 20-inch wheels. The Daytona R/T package adds to the Road/Track Performance Group assorted aero add-ons, flat black graphics front and rear, and interior trim that includes a numbered plate on the instrument panel.
The SRT8 ($36,155) comes with a 6.1-liter V8 generating 425 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque, a performance-tuned suspension, a reprogrammed electronic stability control, Brembo brakes, Goodyear Supercar F1 tires on 20-inch forged aluminum wheels, and a 180-mph speedometer.
The Super Bee package for the SRT8 comes in Surf Blue for 2008 with black graphics on the hood, trunk and flanks, along with the V8/bumblebee logo.
For 2008, two new entertainment options are available for all but SE models: Sirius Backseat TV and Chrysler's MyGig entertainment system. The rear-seat DVD entertainment system is now offered with Sirius Backseat TV with three channels. MyGig is available in two versions. The MyGig Entertainment System has 6.5-inch touchscreen and a 20-gigabyte hard drive to hold music and pictures. The MyGig Multimedia Infotainment System adds a navigation system with voice control and real-time traffic, and part of the hard drive space is taken up by navigation map information.
Safety features that come standard on all Charger models include two-stage front airbags, tire-pressure monitor, and rear-seat LATCH child safety seat anchors. Antilock brakes with brake assist, traction control and electronic stability control, head-protecting side curtain airbags for both seating rows, and torso-protecting front side airbags are standard on all but SE, where they are optional. All-wheel drive is available for SXT and R/T models.