Body style: Coupé (two-door)
Segment: Compact
Production years: 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987
Only the name resembled the former glorious muscle car when Dodge introduced the 1981 Charger on the market.
Dodge introduced the 1982 Charger in the summer of '81, and it was the first with a front-engine and front-wheel-drive system. Unlike its predecessors, which offered big V-8s under the hood, this one was just a four-banger aiming at the European sport-compact coupes such as the Renault 17 or the Volkswagen Scirocco. But the big carmaker was in deep financial troubles, and it needed a car to sell in high volumes, and the former gas-guzzlers just couldn't do that, especially with another oil crisis in the public memory.
It looked was a hatchback designed on the newer standards with a wedged-shape bodywork. At the front, it featured rectangular headlights in individual clusters and a narrow grille between them, between the hood and the bumper. A wrapped-around plastic bumper that respected the 5-mph rule was added to the car, and its apron was aerodynamically studied to increase the downforce onto the front wheels. But building a hatchback was not one of the American's carmaker specialties, and that was obvious on the C-pillar, which was very thick.
Inside, Dodge installed bucket seats with high bolstered areas to keep their occupants in place. Unfortunately, the car's platform didn't do a job as well as the seats. The carmaker installed a folding rear bench in the back, thus increasing the otherwise limited trunk room.
Under the hood, the Charger started with a 2.2-liter engine which couldn't provide 100 hp. Its performances were barely in the same league with a Volkswagen Golf GTI. Its five-speed manual was geared for quick acceleration but with longer, higher gears for fuel-efficiency. Thus, the 1981 Charger proved to be a sporty-looking commuter vehicle, but not a sports car.
ENGINE SPECS - 1.6L 4MT (62 HP) | |
---|---|
Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1592 cm3 |
Power: | 46.2 KW @ 4800 RPM 62.9 HP @ 4800 RPM 62 BHP @ 4800 RPM |
Torque: | 86 lb-ft @ 3200 RPM 117 Nm @ 3200 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-speed manual |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 175/75 R 13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 173.7 in (4412 mm) |
Width: | 66.7 in (1694 mm) |
Height: | 50.8 in (1290 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 56.1/55.6 in (1,425/1,412 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 96.6 in (2454 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 10.7 cuFT (303 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.39 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 2209 lbs (1002 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
---|---|
City: | 34.1 mpg US (6.9 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 51.1 mpg US (4.6 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 40 mpg US (5.9 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.6L 5MT (62 HP) | |
---|---|
Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1592 cm3 |
Power: | 46.2 KW @ 4800 RPM 62.9 HP @ 4800 RPM 62 BHP @ 4800 RPM |
Torque: | 86 lb-ft @ 3200 RPM 117 Nm @ 3200 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed manual |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 175/75 R 13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 173.7 in (4412 mm) |
Width: | 66.7 in (1694 mm) |
Height: | 50.8 in (1290 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 56.1/55.6 in (1,425/1,412 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 96.6 in (2454 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 10.7 cuFT (303 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.39 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 2209 lbs (1002 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
---|---|
City: | 33.1 mpg US (7.1 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 52.3 mpg US (4.5 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 39 mpg US (6 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.7L 4MT (63 HP) | |
---|---|
Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1716 cm3 |
Power: | 47 KW @ 4800 RPM 63.9 HP @ 4800 RPM 63 BHP @ 4800 RPM |
Torque: | 83 lb-ft @ 2400 RPM 113 Nm @ 2400 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-speed manual |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 175/75 R 13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 173.7 in (4412 mm) |
Width: | 66.7 in (1694 mm) |
Height: | 50.8 in (1290 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 56.1/55.6 in (1,425/1,412 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 96.6 in (2454 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 10.7 cuFT (303 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.39 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 2209 lbs (1002 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
---|---|
City: | 32 mpg US (7.4 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 50 mpg US (4.7 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 38 mpg US (6.2 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.2L 3AT (94 HP) | |
---|---|
Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 2213 cm3 |
Power: | 70.1 KW @ 5200 RPM 95.3 HP @ 5200 RPM 94 BHP @ 5200 RPM |
Torque: | 111 lb-ft @ 2400 RPM 151 Nm @ 2400 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 3-speed automatic |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 175/75 R 13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 173.7 in (4412 mm) |
Width: | 66.7 in (1694 mm) |
Height: | 50.8 in (1290 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 56.1/55.6 in (1,425/1,412 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 96.6 in (2454 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 10.7 cuFT (303 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.39 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 2264 lbs (1027 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
---|---|
City: | 27 mpg US (8.7 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 35 mpg US (6.7 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 30 mpg US (7.8 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.2L 4MT (94 HP) | |
---|---|
Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 2213 cm3 |
Power: | 70.1 KW @ 5200 RPM 95.3 HP @ 5200 RPM 94 BHP @ 5200 RPM |
Torque: | 111 lb-ft @ 2400 RPM 151 Nm @ 2400 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-speed manual |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 175/75 R 13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 173.7 in (4412 mm) |
Width: | 66.7 in (1694 mm) |
Height: | 50.8 in (1290 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 56.1/55.6 in (1,425/1,412 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 96.6 in (2454 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 10.7 cuFT (303 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.39 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 2264 lbs (1027 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
---|---|
City: | 28 mpg US (8.4 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 46 mpg US (5.1 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 34 mpg US (6.9 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.2L 5MT (107 HP) | |
---|---|
Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 2213 cm3 |
Power: | 79.8 KW @ 5600 RPM 108.5 HP @ 5600 RPM 107 BHP @ 5600 RPM |
Torque: | 127 lb-ft @ 3600 RPM 172 Nm @ 3600 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed manual |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 195/50 R 15 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 173.7 in (4412 mm) |
Width: | 66.7 in (1694 mm) |
Height: | 50.8 in (1290 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 56.1/55.6 in (1,425/1,412 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 96.6 in (2454 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 10.7 cuFT (303 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.39 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 2436 lbs (1105 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
---|---|
Combined: | 25 mpg US (9.4 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.2L 5MT (94 HP) | |
---|---|
Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 2213 cm3 |
Power: | 70.1 KW @ 5200 RPM 95.3 HP @ 5200 RPM 94 BHP @ 5200 RPM |
Torque: | 111 lb-ft @ 2400 RPM 151 Nm @ 2400 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed manual |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 175/75 R 13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 173.7 in (4412 mm) |
Width: | 66.7 in (1694 mm) |
Height: | 50.8 in (1290 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 56.1/55.6 in (1,425/1,412 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 96.6 in (2454 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 10.7 cuFT (303 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.39 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 2264 lbs (1027 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
---|---|
City: | 28 mpg US (8.4 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 46 mpg US (5.1 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 34 mpg US (6.9 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.2L Turbo 5MT (146 HP) | |
---|---|
Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 2213 cm3 |
Power: | 108.9 KW @ 5200 RPM 148 HP @ 5200 RPM 146 BHP @ 5200 RPM |
Torque: | 168 lb-ft @ 3200 RPM 228 Nm @ 3200 RPM |
Fuel System: | Turbocharged Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed manual |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 195/50 R 15 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 173.7 in (4412 mm) |
Width: | 66.7 in (1694 mm) |
Height: | 50.8 in (1290 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 56.1/55.6 in (1,425/1,412 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 96.6 in (2454 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 10.7 cuFT (303 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.39 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 2441 lbs (1107 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
---|---|
City: | 20 mpg US (11.8 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 27 mpg US (8.7 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 22 mpg US (10.7 L/100Km) |