Yes, it's reckless and wasteful – but it's great fun: the Dodge Charger really makes the tyres sing when doing a burn-out. Dodge Charger/dpaThe Dodge Charger is coming to Europe just in time for the model's 60th anniversary and customers can now choose between an all-electric and a traditional petrol-powered version.For years this car, like the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro, has given drivers in the US "a lot of bang for their buck" and since sports cars are all about emotions, Dodge promises plenty of thrills behind the wheel.In Europe there are four base models available, starting at €66,000.The petrol-driven model can perform burnouts at the push of a button, and Dodge touts the Charger as the "loudest electric car in the world" - as if it were a positive attribute.Burnouts are anti-social, bad for the environment and in many cases illegal on public roads, but to get one in the Charger, the driver stamps on the brakes to lock the front wheels, while applying full power until the rear ones spin in a cloud of acrid smoke.The European price tag makes this street dragster some €20,000 more expensive than the Stateside version, but for their cash, enthusiasts get a classic muscle car with the looks and power to match.All the ingredients are there, a long bonnet, wide bumpers and a sleek rear end and, to keep the next generation of petrolheads happy, it even comes with four doors upon request, at no extra charge. And with an impressive length of 5.25 metres, the Charger certainly qualifies as a serious family car.Inside, the Charger has a contemporary feel, combining classic sports car ambiance with modern touches.The driver sits in deep seats with high bolsters that provide good support, surrounded by plenty of dark leather with contrasting stitching. The cockpit is also ablaze with digital displays. The instrument cluster features colourful animations, and the display on the centre console offers more graphics and settings than some racing simulations on the PlayStation.But there is a surprise waiting under the long bonnet and at first glance, it might not be a welcome one for petrolheads. With the latest generation update, Dodge has phased out the mighty V8 engine and replaced it with an inline-six to improve carbon emissions.The inline-six has twin turbochargers and, on top of that, drives all four wheels instead of just the rear ones. Three litres of engine displacement instead of more than six in its heyday, two fewer cylinders, and consistent traction instead of a wiggly rear end are concessions to modern ecological expectations.Press the start button and the six-cylinder engine roars menacingly through two large chrome-plated exhaust pipes. Even the base R/T model delivers 420 hp and 634 Nm, and those who pay the as-yet-unspecified premium for the Scat Pack version will have 550 hp and 719 Nm at their right foot. That's enough for a blistering 0-100 km/h time of 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 285 km/h.Unlike in the past, drivers can now even enjoy the performance with relish. Thanks to its all-wheel drive and a more sophisticated suspension, the Charger has become a serious sports car that provides solid road feel and can be guided closely along the ideal line in corners.For those who miss the old kick in the pants when pulling away and the old thrill of taking the curves, they can flick a switch back to rear-wheel drive and ride on the edge again, just like in the old days.The Charger clearly enjoys playing the bad boy but is also the first muscle car to be available in a fully electric version, the Charger Daytona. While the Ford Mach-E is a Mustang in name only, the Charger looks and drives just like the standard issue.The V8 rumble is replaced by what's said to be the loudest sound generator ever installed in an electric car. And even though its top speed is limited to 220 km/h at best, the car accelerates even better than the six-cylinder model.Even the base electric version (R/T) with up to 536 hp for short bursts can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds, and the Scat Pack can do it in 3.3 seconds under ideal conditions with up to 670 hp.The power comes from a battery with a usable capacity of about 94 kWh, which provides a range of up to 510 kilometres in the standard cycle and can be charged from 20 to 80% in just under half an hour.So the latest Charger offers the best of both worlds. And with the option of an electric powertrain, it's even proving to be unusually open-minded. In this way, the US brand is trying to let drivers flex some automotive muscle without looking hostile to the environment.Specification: Dodge Charger Sixpack Scat PackEven a bread-and-butter car corporation like Stellantis has to have a little fun. Its European subsidiaries are well-behaved, but its US brand Dodge is a wild child. Both the petrol-powered and all-electric sibling versions of the Charger muscle car prove the point. Dodge Charger/dpaAll the ingredients are there, a long bonnet, wide bumpers and sleek rear end and, to keep the next generation of petrol-heads happy, it even comes with four doors upon request, at no extra charge. Dodge Charger/dpaThe modern interior has digital displays and sturdy sports seats. Dodge Charger/dpaThe Dodge Charger with optional all-wheel drive can also be switched to rear-wheel drive. Dodge Charger/dpaAnyone who thinks that the Charger has become a quiet little thing since the V8 was dropped is likely to be mistaken. Dodge Charger/dpa
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